If you are a parent of a Year 4 or Year 5 child hoping to sit the Gloucestershire 11+, you may be feeling a little uncertain at the moment. There is plenty of discussion about the new Gloucestershire grammar school entrance test, FSCE, what it might contain and how children should prepare. Our advice at Success Index is simple: Stay steady. Don’t rush. And please don’t panic. Until the detailed guidance and familiarisation materials for the new test are available, there is

Starting the 11+ journey can feel overwhelming. Suddenly, there are new words to learn, schools to research, practice papers to think about, different subjects to understand and, everywhere you look, advice about what your child should be doing. It’s easy to feel that you need to get started immediately and somehow fit everything in. But take a breath. You don’t need to do everything at once. In fact, one of the most important things you can do at the beginning of the 11+

Is your child sitting the Gloucestershire 11+ exam in September 2026? With just two weeks before the 11 plus, here's exactly what parents should do to help their child feel calm, confident and ready for the GL Assessment 11+ test. The final two weeks before the Gloucestershire 11+ exam can feel nerve-racking. Parents often wonder: Should we do more practice papers? What should my child revise? How much 11+ practice should we do each day? What happens if they're still struggli

At this point in your 11+ you can easily spend all your time focusing on skills and practising past papers. You must remember that exam success depends on many things. Build your child's confidence and ability in the following areas will support your child's success. Many children lose marks not because they don't understand the questions, but because they: - spend too long on one difficult question - rush the final section - panic when they notice the clock don't know when

If your child is sitting the Gloucestershire 11+ exam on 12th September, the summer holidays are the perfect opportunity to prepare without the pressure of schoolwork. The key is not spending hours every day studying. Instead, focus on regular, consistent practice that keeps your child's brain active and builds confidence for exam day.

Every year, thousands of children sit the 11+ and 7+ exam hoping to secure a place at their chosen grammar school or independent school. While ability is important, preparation can make a significant difference. As a parent, it's easy to make well-intentioned mistakes that can add unnecessary stress or leave your child underprepared. Here are the ten most common mistakes—and how you can avoid them.

If your child is aiming for a Gloucestershire grammar school place in September 2027, this is the stage when most families start searching for the same answers: When does Gloucestershire 11+ registration open? When is the test? How does the process work? And how should we prepare without leaving it too late? The first thing to know is that the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools' Entrance Test registration window is now open until 26 June 2026 at noon, and the test is planned

One of the most common questions parents ask is “Is it too late to start 11+ tutoring?” The simple answer is — not necessarily. We have all heard the stories of the child who did no preparation, the child who started a month before and the child the spent two years preparing. This shows us the reality - EVERY child is different. EVERY school and home day is different. Every year, many children begin preparing for the 11+ exam later than planned and still go on to achieve exce

For many parents preparing their child for the 11+ exam or 7+ exam, one of the biggest decisions is choosing between online tutoring and face-to-face tuition. With grammar school competition increasing across the UK, parents want the best possible preparation for verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths, and English. At Success Index, we work with families across the country and understand the advantages — and challenges — of both approaches.

If you’re preparing your child for the 7+ or 11+ exams, you’ve likely felt it—the quiet pressure that builds over time. The UK entrance exam process - whether for grammar schools or independent schools -can feel overwhelming. There are mock exams, practice papers, school choices, deadlines, and constant questions about whether your child is “on track.” If you’re feeling this, you’re not alone.

For many families preparing for UK entrance exams, including the 7+, 8+, 11+ and 13+, the first mock exam can feel like a defining moment. You may have spent months preparing—working through 11+ practice papers, investing in tuition, and building a routine. So when your child performs below expectations in their first mock exam, it can feel worrying. But here’s the reality: a poor first mock result is not only common—it’s often essential for success.

If you’re a parent preparing your child for the 11+ or 7+ entrance exam in the UK, you may be wondering whether they can receive special adjustments such as extra time, rest breaks, or support for ADHD, dyslexia, or other learning needs. The good news is: yes, adjustments are possible—but the process can be strict, and timing is crucial. This simple guide explains exactly how to apply for 11+ special arrangements, what evidence you need, and how to maximise your child’s cha

As children approach the end of primary school, many parents begin to ask an important question: how does the 11+ compare to the standard primary curriculum? Understanding the difference in difficulty is key to ensuring your child is properly prepared and confident when the time comes. At its core, the primary curriculum in the UK is designed to build foundational skills. Children develop competence in maths, English, and basic reasoning at a steady pace, with a strong focus