11+ Resources Guide: Which Ones Should You Use?

11+ Resources Guide: Which Ones Should You Use?

Preparing for the 11+ entrance exams can feel overwhelming, especially with the wide range of resources available. From online platforms to past papers and practice books, every student has different needs, and not all materials are created equal.

At HRB Education, we’ve helped countless families navigate the 11+, so here’s our breakdown of the most popular resources — including their pros and cons — and how to make the best use of them.

Atom Learning

Pros:

• Fully online, adaptive platform that personalises practice to the student’s ability.
• Covers all areas of the 11+ (verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths, and English).
• Engaging interface keeps students motivated.
• Parents can track progress with detailed reports.

Cons:

• Subscription cost can add up if used long-term.
• Less effective if a child prefers paper-based practice or struggles with screen time.

HRB Tip: We can provide families with a 10% discount code for the first month’s payment — ask us for details before you sign up.

Pre-Test Plus & Exam Papers Plus

Pros:

• Offer excellent quality practice papers, often mirroring the style and difficulty of leading independent schools and grammar schools.
• Focus on timed, exam-style practice to build familiarity with the real test format.
• Digital download format makes them instantly available.

Cons:

• Cost per paper can be higher than books, especially if buying multiple sets.
• Students may need guidance to avoid “practising blindly” without targeted feedback.

HRB Strong Recommendation: These are among the very best resources. But because schools differ in exam format, it’s important to get the right papers. Come speak to us directly and we’ll recommend exactly which sets are worth investing in for your child.

Bond Books

Pros:

• Widely available and affordable.
• Good for structured, progressive learning (from easier levels to harder).
• Cover all four key areas of the 11+ in bite-sized exercises.

Cons:

• Can feel repetitive and uninspiring for some children.
• Often not as challenging as the actual 11+, particularly for top-tier selective schools.

HRB Tip: Use Bond in the early stages of preparation to build up confidence and basic skills, then move onto harder resources closer to the exam.

CGP Books

Pros:

• Affordable, accessible, and straightforward.
• Explanations are clear and student-friendly, especially for maths and English.
• Often more engaging than Bond thanks to illustrations and humour.

Cons:

• While useful for revision, they don’t always reflect the level of challenge in the most competitive 11+ exams.
• Some parents find they require more support alongside tutoring or feedback.

HRB Tip: A great supporting resource, but shouldn’t be relied upon as the only preparation tool.

Schools’ Own Past Papers

Pros:

• The best possible indicator of what your child will actually face.
• Builds familiarity with layout, style, and question types.
• Helps fine-tune exam technique and time management.

Cons:

• Can be difficult to source if the school doesn’t publish them openly.
• Limited number available — you don’t want to exhaust them too early.

HRB Tip: Save these for the final stage of preparation once core skills are in place. They’re ideal for timed mock practice in the weeks before the exam.

Final Thoughts

Every student preparing for the 11+ has different strengths, weaknesses, and learning preferences. That’s why there’s no single “best” resource — the trick is using the right tool at the right stage of preparation.

At HRB Education, we work closely with families to build a tailored plan. Whether it’s using Atom Learning for adaptive daily practice, Bond and CGP for foundational skills, or carefully chosen Exam Papers Plus packs to mirror a specific school, our tutors will guide you through the process.

Thinking about the 11+? Come speak to us and we’ll give you personalised advice on which resources will truly make the difference.

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