11+ Exams Spelling List
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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
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Includes words that have appeared in past 11+ exams.
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Covers vocabulary used by major exam boards such as GL and CEM.
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Features a mix of challenging words—some your child may encounter at school, others that are less common.
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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.