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11+ Exams Spelling List

11+ spelling list

11+ Exam Vocabulary and Spelling List – Why It Matters
 

Finding the perfect vocabulary and spelling list for the 11 Plus Exams can be overwhelming. While no single list will cover every possible word that may appear, our curated list offers a broad and practical selection of words likely to come up in English or Verbal Reasoning sections of the 11+.
 

A strong vocabulary is crucial for success in the 11+. Your child needs to spell quickly and accurately to work efficiently through challenging exam questions. That’s why having access to a thoughtfully compiled list can make a big difference in their preparation.

Why This Vocabulary List is Important
 

  • Includes words that have appeared in past 11+ exams.

  • Covers vocabulary used by major exam boards such as GL and CEM.

  • Features a mix of challenging words—some your child may encounter at school, others that are less common.

  • Highlights words that are frequently misspelled or misunderstood.

Once you've reviewed the list, you can download and print it using the "W" icon. Keep it as a reference for study sessions or use it as a teaching tool.

 

How to Help Your Child Build Vocabulary


Building vocabulary isn’t about rote learning alone. The most effective way for your child to expand their word knowledge is by reading widely. Encourage reading across a range of genres, both fiction and non-fiction. Reading helps children absorb new vocabulary naturally and reinforces familiar words.

Once your child becomes more confident with spelling and understanding vocabulary, it's important they apply these skills to practice papers. This helps them improve not only their English abilities but also their exam technique—critical for performing well on test day.

Our spelling list of common 11+ words

accommodate

accompany

according

achieve

aggressive

amateur

ancient

apparent

appreciate

attached

available

average

awkward

bargain

bruise

category

cemetery

committee

communicate

community

competition

conscience

conscious

controversy

convenience

correspond

criticise

curiosity

definite

desperate

determined

develop

dictionary

disastrous

embarrass

environment

equipped

especially

exaggerate

excellent

existence

explanation

familiar

foreign

forty

frequently

government

guarantee

harass

hindrance

identity

immediate

individual

interfere

interrupt

language

leisure

lightning

marvellous

mischievous

muscle

necessary

neighbour

nuisance

occupy

occur

opportunity

parliament

persuade

physical

prejudice

privilege

profession

programme

pronunciation

queue

recognise

recommend

relevant

restaurant

rhyme

rhythm

sacrifice

secretary

shoulder

signature

sincere

soldier

stomach

sufficient

suggest

symbol

system

temperature

thorough

twelfth

variety

vegetable

vehicle

yacht

Click the image below to download this 11+ Spelling list.

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