11 Plus (11+) interview questions and etiquette

Answer fully, and keep it positive

One-word answers give an interviewer nothing to build on. The habit worth teaching is to fold the question into the start of the answer and attach a reason: ‘Do you like reading?’ becomes ‘Yes, I really enjoy reading, especially adventure stories’, instead of a bare ‘Yes’.

Asked about something they don’t enjoy, a measured answer works better than a blunt one: ‘Maths isn’t my favourite, but I do like the problem-solving side’ shows some thought, while ‘I hate maths’ leaves the interviewer nowhere to go.

Rambling is usually nerves rather than a shortage of things to say. Teach a clean stop: a short, complete answer, then ‘I’d be happy to say more about that’, and wait.

Body language and manner

A firm handshake, eye contact and a clear introduction make the first impression before any question is asked. Once seated: back straight, hands still. It reads as confidence even when it doesn’t feel like it from the inside.

Clothes should be neat and practical rather than showy, so the interviewer’s attention stays on what your child says.

Questions your child might be asked

These fall into a handful of recurring categories. Practise a few from each so your child has something ready without sounding rehearsed.

• About their current school: what clubs, teams or activities they’re involved in, and which subjects they enjoy most and least.
• About interests outside school: what they’re reading at the moment, hobbies, sport, or what they like doing at weekends.
• About the school they’re applying to: why they’d like to join, and what they think they’d bring to it.
• About achievements: something they’re proud of, whether that’s a competition, a badge, or helping out at home or in the community.
• Short reasoning or opinion questions: a simple mental maths question, an opinion on a topical issue, or a question about a short passage they’re given to read on the spot.
• Future plans: ‘what would you like to be when you grow up?’ A true answer with a reason is all it needs.
• Occasionally, ‘show and tell’: bringing an object that means something to them and explaining why.

Schools vary a great deal in which of these come up, and children are regularly asked something that sits on no list at all, so treat these as practice material rather than a prediction of the real thing.

Top tips for your child

• Fold the question into the start of your answer, and put a reason on the end.
• Have one book, one hobby and one proud moment ready to talk about in detail.
• Finish your answer, then stop; you can always offer to say more.
• Shake hands, look at the person, and say hello clearly; then sit up and keep your hands still.
• Expect at least one question you haven’t practised. That’s normal, and it’s fine to take a moment to think before you answer!
• Treat any mock interview as practice for the real one; nobody is expecting a script.

How to prepare

One of the most effective ways to prepare for an 11+ entrance exam is to use practice tests written by experts. We publish a full range of 11+ revision resources: area and school-specific practice tests, subject-specific packs, spelling and vocabulary resources, and reading books.

Each of our practice tests:

• is available as a PDF download or in physical format
• familiarises your child with the types of questions they will face in the real exam
• includes answers to every question, with detailed, step-by-step explanations for the maths and reasoning questions
• builds your child’s confidence before the actual exam.

Use the finder below to jump straight to the papers for your child’s school or area.

Find papers for your school or area

Grammar schools and area tests

• Bexley
• Bishop Wordsworth’s
• Buckinghamshire
• CSSE
• Ermysted’s
• Gloucestershire
• Henrietta Barnett
• Kent
• QE Boys
• Redbridge
• Slough Consortium
• St Olave’s
• Sutton
• The Latymer School
• Tiffin School & Tiffin Girls’ School
• Trafford
• West Midlands

Independent schools

• City of London School for Girls
• Hampton
• Latymer Upper
• Merchant Taylors’
• St Paul’s Girls’ School
• St Paul’s Juniors