Families Hub for Entrance Exam Guidance and 7+ & 11+ Tutors, Courses, Mock Exams and Resources
Helping simplify the world of school entrance exams - teachers, resources, courses and more, all together on one, easy to use platform.
The UK’s hub for 7+ and 11+ entrance exam support, helping you find trusted tutors, comprehension practice, mock exams, courses and school admissions resources all on one simple platform.
We make it easier to navigate grammar school and independent school entrance exams by bringing together teachers, educational resources, exam preparation tools and expert support in one place.
Sign up for free to find the right 7+ and 11+ tutors, English and Maths support, and exam preparation services tailored to your child’s needs.
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Free resources
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Interesting Reads
From Tatler - Where is the best school in Britain? The Tatler Schools Guide 2026 unveils the shortlist for the finest education in the country
From a tally of around 14,000 votes, Tatler has published their shortlist of nominees for the Tatler Schools Awards 2026 ahead of their awards ceremony on 29 September.
They say, "Nominations come from far and wide, reflecting both public opinion and insider expertise, before being carefully refined by our panel. This year, we've had nearly 14,000 votes taillied. The result? A shortlist that represents the very pinnacle of British education."
Read the article
From BETT UK - AI in Education : What UK teachers make of AI in the classroom in 2026
BETT UK and their Global AI Partner, Lenovo have released an interesting report on AI in Education after surveying 1,033 UK teachers in June 2026.
The headlines:
- Eight in ten teachers now use AI for teaching-related tasks, and weekly use has doubled in a year
- Half say AI has cut their workload, but only a third say they actually work fewer hours
- Fewer than half expect to use AI more next year, down from two-thirds in 2025
- Nearly half still feel that using AI for core teaching would be a kind of ‘cheating’
- Over half are open to giving up curriculum time to teach pupils to use AI responsibly
Download the full report.
What to Focus on in September - A practical 5-minute guide for 11+ families
Your September plan will depend if you are starting the journey OR coming to the end of it.
Remember for everyone September is a reset point not a race month.
Some families are opening their first notebook. Others are packing their pencil case for test day.
The right September plan depends entirely on where your child is on the journey.
For both points the most important thing to remember is DO NOT COMPARE YOUR CHILD TO OTHERS.
A timing reality worth remembering - the 11+ season is not one single September date. Grammar school tests often begin in early autumn; independent-school processes can run through the autumn and into January, and ISEB Pre-Tests for 2026–27 can be sat from 1 September 2026 into spring 2027.
This makes it crucial to know your own schools, your own tests and your own deadlines.
The Success Index approach is structured, informed and supportive — not chaotic, noisy or over-pressured.
Are you:
Friday Freebie by Success Index
Learning Critical & Flexible Thinking is essential for the 11+. This week's Friday Freebie covers the three key steps:
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Spot patterns and connections
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Compare and evaluate information
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Think beyond the obvious answer
You can access the full library of 7+ and 11+ free pdfs here.
The School Appeals Process
If everything did not go to plan on National Offer Day, you are not alone, many families do not secure a place at their preferred school. You can appeal the decision and help is available to guide you through this process. Below are two expert organisations who could support you.
Support families with school admissions and appeals procedures. Check out their Appeals Guide to better understand what is involved:
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Understanding the Appeals Process
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Knowing what to ask the Admission Authority in advance of the Hearing
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Preparing your appeal statement
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Preparing for the Appeal Hearing itself
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Understanding your options after your appeal
School Select are currently offering a free and without obligation assessment of your own specific appeal.
Contact them on office@schoolselect.co.uk and mention Success Index.
My Education Appeal
Empower parents to be able to appeal to the schools their children need and deserve to get the right education.
Founder, Mr. Jeynes, spent time as a Clerk for School Appeal hearings, listening to appeals where parents had excellent reasons to appeal—they just articulated them the wrong way.
In 2025, he founded My Education Appeal Ltd to bring hands-on experience to the process, helping to write the winning argument and deliver the best appeals at the hearings.
Complete 7+ to 11+ preparation timeline
Families may choose to start their preparation two years ahead, in the final year of preparation, this is your overview.
What to Focus on in May?
A Calm, Strategic Guide for 7+, 8+, 11+ and 13+ Parents
May is a pivotal month in the UK entrance exam journey. Whether your child is preparing for the 7+, 8+, 11+ or 13+ exams, this is the point where preparation begins to shift from learning content to refining performance. It can feel intense—but it doesn’t need to be overwhelming.
At Success Index, we aim to provide a quiet, clear space away from the noise of entrance exam stress—helping you make informed, confident decisions.
Here’s what to focus on this month.
Begin Mock Exams Early and Thoughtfully
May marks the start of the mock exam season, and this is one of the most important steps in effective 11+ preparation and beyond.
It’s essential to:
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Book mock exams early—places fill quickly across reputable providers
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Use a range of providers, not just one
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Plan a mock exam timetable running through to September
You can explore guidance on this here:
https://www.successindex.co.uk/mock-exams/
Mock exams are often misunderstood. They are not about chasing high scores. Instead, their real purpose is to:
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Familiarise children with the exam environment
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Reduce anxiety in unfamiliar settings
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Build stamina and focus over longer papers
By exposing your child to different venues, invigilators, and formats, you are preparing them for the unpredictability of real entrance exams.
Understand Your Child’s Academic Position
By May, you should be developing a clear picture of:
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Your child’s current attainment level
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Their strengths and weaker areas
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How they compare to the expected standard for selective schools
Mock exams, alongside school feedback and home practice, provide valuable data. Use this information calmly and constructively.
If you’re unsure how to interpret performance or next steps, our guidance hub can help:
https://www.successindex.co.uk/11-plus-advice/
Remember: every child progresses differently. There is no single “correct” timeline.
Review and Refresh Your Resources
A common mistake in entrance exam preparation is relying too heavily on one set of materials.
In May, take time to review:
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Are your current resources still challenging enough?
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Has your child become too familiar with a particular format?
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Are they exposed to a range of question styles?
Using varied materials ensures children develop flexible thinking, which is essential for exams like the 7+, 8+ , 11+ and 13+, where question styles can differ significantly between schools.
Introduce Past Papers (Carefully)
May is the right time to begin incorporating past papers into your routine.
These are invaluable for:
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Building confidence
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Understanding real exam structure
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Practising time management
However, approach this thoughtfully:
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Some children are ready for timed conditions
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Others benefit from a more supported, untimed approach initially
There is no universal rule. The key is to match the approach to your child’s confidence and readiness.
Use the May Half Term Strategically
The May half term is short—but extremely valuable.
This is an ideal time to:
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Book targeted short courses
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Arrange extra tuition sessions
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Focus specifically on areas of weakness
Rather than overloading your child, aim for focused, high-impact support.
You can explore structured learning support in our courses section.
Research Schools and Key Dates
Alongside academic preparation, May is also the time to get organised with the practical aspects of school applications.
Make sure you:
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Clearly understand your target schools
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Check exam registration deadlines
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Book open days and school visits
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Keep all dates recorded in a single, clear calendar
Missing a deadline can be far more stressful than any exam preparation challenge.
Download our useful recording sheet for school visits to stop them all merging into one!
The entrance exam journey—whether for 7+, 8+, 11+ or 13+—can feel busy and competitive. But progress in May is not about doing more. It’s about doing the right things, calmly and consistently.
At Success Index, we believe preparation should feel:
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Structured, not chaotic
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Informed, not overwhelming
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Supportive, not pressured
You don’t need to navigate this alone—and you don’t need to follow the noise.
