Papers Plus Prep

11 Plus Subjects Explained: English, Maths and Reasoning

Learn what subjects are covered in the 11 plus exam, including English, Maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, and understand how children can prepare for each area effectively.

The 11 plus can feel confusing at first because parents often hear about several different subjects and test types at the same time. One school may focus on English and Maths, while another may include verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, creative writing or an additional assessment stage.

The most important thing to remember is that the exact combination varies by school. However, four core areas appear most often in 11 plus preparation: English, Maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Understanding what each subject involves makes it much easier to build a sensible study plan.

Why It Helps to Understand the Subjects Separately

Many children do not struggle because they are unable to learn the material. They struggle because the 11 plus combines different ways of thinking. A child may be a strong reader but find non-verbal reasoning unfamiliar. Another may be confident in Maths but need time to build vocabulary or comprehension skills.

When parents understand the subjects clearly, it becomes easier to:

  • spot strengths and weaker areas
  • choose the right type of practice
  • avoid over-focusing on one area
  • build a more balanced preparation routine

English in the 11 Plus

English is one of the most important and widely tested parts of the 11 plus. It often includes reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, spelling and, in some cases, creative writing.

English questions are not only about remembering rules. They test how well children can understand what a passage is really saying, infer meaning from context, work out unfamiliar vocabulary, identify tone and purpose, and write clearly and accurately. Regular reading is one of the most valuable habits because it builds comprehension, vocabulary and sentence awareness at the same time.

For a full breakdown of comprehension, vocabulary, grammar and writing - and how to prepare for each - see our dedicated guide: 11 Plus English Preparation.

Maths in the 11 Plus

Maths is another major part of many 11 plus exams. It usually covers topics children are already learning in primary school, but the challenge often comes from the way questions are presented and the time pressure involved.

11 plus Maths commonly includes arithmetic and number operations, fractions, decimals and percentages, ratios and proportions, measures and time, geometry, and worded problem solving. Children need both accuracy and fluency: a method may be understood in principle, but if it takes too long or errors creep in under pressure, scores can still drop.

For topic-by-topic advice and how to build accuracy and speed, see our dedicated guide: 11 Plus Maths Preparation.

Verbal Reasoning in the 11 Plus

Verbal reasoning can be one of the most unfamiliar parts of the 11 plus because it is not always taught in school as a separate subject. It tests logic through words, letters and language patterns.

Depending on the format used, verbal reasoning may include:

  • letter sequences
  • codes
  • analogies
  • word relationships
  • deductions
  • pattern recognition using language

This is why vocabulary matters so much in verbal reasoning. Children may understand the logic of the question but still struggle if the words themselves are unfamiliar.

Children usually improve when they learn the common question types, practise recognising patterns, build vocabulary steadily, work methodically rather than guessing too quickly, and review mistakes to see how the pattern worked.

Non-Verbal Reasoning in the 11 Plus

Non-verbal reasoning focuses on visual and spatial thinking rather than written language. Questions often involve shapes, patterns, rotations, reflections, symmetry and identifying relationships between diagrams.

For some children, non-verbal reasoning is enjoyable because it feels like solving visual puzzles. For others, it feels strange at first because it is unlike normal classroom tasks. Children may need time to learn how to look for rules in shapes and images rather than in words.

The best preparation often includes learning the most common visual patterns, practising rotations and reflections carefully, comparing shapes step by step, slowing down enough to spot detail, and building familiarity through repetition.

Do All Schools Test All Four Areas?

No. Some schools assess only English and Maths. Others include verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning or creative writing. Independent schools may add interviews or school-specific tasks as well.

That is why it is so important to check the exact admissions information for each target school before planning preparation in detail. Broad preparation is useful, but it becomes much more effective when matched to the actual exams a child is likely to sit.

A note on our papers: At Papers Plus Prep, our past papers and practice papers currently focus on Maths and English, the two subjects at the heart of almost every 11 plus exam. Always check which subjects each of your target schools assesses.

Which Subject Is Most Important?

There is no single answer, because it depends on the schools being targeted. In some cases, English and Maths carry the greatest weight. In others, reasoning plays a large part. The best approach is to think in terms of balance rather than trying to identify one universal priority.

For most children, the strongest preparation plan is one that:

  • protects core English and Maths development
  • introduces reasoning in a structured way
  • uses practice to uncover weaker areas
  • builds confidence across the full mix of subjects tested

How Past Papers and Practice Papers Help Across Subjects

Different subject areas improve in different ways, so a mix of resources helps. Practice papers build familiarity with question types in each subject and strengthen specific skills one step at a time. Past papers become especially useful later, showing how subjects appear in a more realistic exam setting, including level, pacing and question variety.

Building a Balanced Study Plan

A good 11 plus study plan usually gives time to each subject area without overwhelming the child. For example, a weekly routine may include:

  • one English-focused session
  • one Maths-focused session
  • one reasoning-focused session
  • daily reading outside formal study
  • review of mistakes from earlier work

A balanced plan makes it easier to improve steadily and avoids the common mistake of over-preparing one subject while neglecting another.

Final Thoughts

The 11 plus is not one single subject. It is a combination of skills that may include English, Maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, depending on the school. Once parents understand how these areas differ, preparation becomes much easier to plan.

The goal is not to master everything at once. It is to understand what each subject requires, build confidence steadily and use the right kind of practice at the right time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What subjects are in the 11 plus?

The most common 11 plus subjects are English, Maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, although the exact combination varies by school.

Is creative writing part of the 11 plus?

Sometimes. Some schools include creative or descriptive writing, while others do not.

Do all schools test verbal reasoning?

No. Some schools include verbal reasoning, but others focus only on English and Maths.

Is non-verbal reasoning hard?

It can feel unfamiliar at first, but many children improve quickly once they learn the common patterns and question types.

Which subject should my child focus on most?

That depends on the target schools and the child's strengths and weaknesses. In most cases, a balanced approach works best.

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