For families applying to independent secondary schools in London, the London 11+ Consortium can be an important part of the admissions process.
The Consortium brings together a group of independent schools that use a shared assessment process, meaning children can potentially apply to several participating schools without sitting completely separate entrance examinations for each one.
But what does the assessment involve, and how can you prepare your child?
What is the London 11+ Consortium?
The Consortium assessment is designed to assess a child’s academic ability and potential across a range of areas.
Depending on the schools being applied to, children may be assessed through areas such as:
English
Mathematics
Verbal reasoning
Non-verbal reasoning
Creative or analytical thinking
The exact admissions process and subsequent stages can vary between individual schools, so it is important to check the requirements of each school you are considering.
What skills should children develop?
Successful preparation isn’t simply about completing as many practice papers as possible.
Children should develop strong foundations in:
Reading and comprehension — understanding texts, making inferences and explaining answers clearly.
Vocabulary — understanding and using a wide range of words.
Mathematics — developing fluency with core concepts and becoming comfortable with unfamiliar problems.
Verbal reasoning — recognising patterns, relationships between words and different types of language-based questions.
Non-verbal reasoning — identifying patterns, sequences and relationships between shapes and diagrams.
Time management — learning to work accurately while managing the pressure of timed questions.
When should preparation begin?
Every child is different. Starting too late can make preparation unnecessarily stressful, but beginning with intensive exam papers before a child has developed the underlying skills can also be counterproductive.
A good preparation programme should gradually move from building core skills → introducing exam-style questions → developing speed and accuracy → practising under timed conditions.
How can Park Town Tutors help?
At Park Town Tutors, we provide personalised entrance exam preparation for children across North West London.
Our tutors can identify your child’s strengths and areas for development before creating a programme tailored to their individual needs and target schools.
We focus not only on exam technique, but also on developing the underlying English, maths, reasoning and problem-solving skills that children need to approach unfamiliar questions confidently.
Preparing for the London Consortium?
If your child is preparing for the London 11+ Consortium and you’re unsure where to start, get in touch with Park Town Tutors to discuss their preparation and arrange an assessment.