Preparing for the 11+ Exam is stressful for parents and children alike.

Free practise papers are a

valuable resource—but they can mislead or waste time if used incorrectly. Below are five common mistakes I’ve seen parents make when relying on free materials, and practical ways to avoid them. I also include links to relevant products on our site so you can see where to fill the gaps or upgrade.

Mistake no1: Using Free Papers Exclusively

Many parents assume that if their child does enough free papers, that will be sufficient. But free papers are usually shorter, less comprehensive, or lack the full variety of question types found in the real test.

Why this is a problem:

• Free sheets often cover only specific question types rather than a mix of question types.

  
  

• They rarely simulate full test conditions, such as time limits or mixed sections.

  
  
  
  

How to avoid this mistake: 

Use free sheets to begin assessment and build familiarity. For example, our site’s Free 11+ Verbal Reasoning Test has a short sharp test. Then complement with more comprehensive, structured practice. The 11+ 5-Book Bundle is one of the best choices here: it replicates test content, includes lots of 11+ Verbal Reasoning questions and explanations.

Mistake no2: No Schedule or Plan

Downloading free papers randomly and letting your child do them when there is time may seem helpful, but without a regular plan progress is uneven and feedback is hard to manage.

Why this is a problem:

• Poor time management becomes a habit.

  
  

• Children may overdo topics they are already good at and neglect weaker ones.

  
  

• It is harder to track improvement without consistency.

  
  

How to avoid this mistake: 

Set up a weekly or bi-weekly plan. For example:

• One full or near-full practice test every fortnight

  
  

• Two smaller free worksheets in between

  
  

• Review sessions to analyse mistakes

Mistake no3: Skipping Feedback / Explanation

A child does a paper and you mark it by seeing which are right or wrong—but without going over why mistakes happened. That means errors tend to repeat.

Why this is a problem:

• Without understanding the reason behind mistakes, practice has limited value.

  
  

• Children may guess or avoid certain question types instead of working them out.

  
  

• Confidence suffers.

  
  

How to avoid this mistake:

Always use papers that come with full answer keys and explanations. The 5-Book Bundle includes answers, glossaries, and explanations. If you use free materials you should mark the test with your child, discuss why each wrong answer was wrong, not just focus on the score.

Mistake no4: Leaving Full Practice Too Late

Another common trap is waiting until a few weeks before the 11+ Exam to dive into full practise tests. This puts pressure on the child and limits improvement.

Why this is a problem:

• The test format won't feel familiar enough.

  
  

• Time to work on weaker areas is reduced.

  
  

• Anxiety builds up with insufficient practice.

  
  

How to avoid this mistake:

Begin with free practise early—worksheets and sample questions so the format becomes familiar. Gradually move to full tests. The 4-book Verbal Reasoning bundle allows children to build stamina and get used to working under test conditions. 

Mistake no5: Focusing Only on Marks, Not Skills or Strategy

Some parents celebrate high marks on free papers without noticing how the child got them—if the method is inefficient, if they guessed too much, or if slower question types were avoided.

Why this is a problem:

• 11+ Exam technique (how you approach questions, checking, allocating time per section) can make a big difference in the actual exam.

  
  

• If a child always skips questions or rushes certain parts, they may struggle in the real test.

  
  

How to avoid this mistake:

• When reviewing, ask: How long did this section take? Which question types slowed you? Did you check your answers?

  
  

• Use freebies with clear explanations for the most common 21 types of Verbal Reasoning questions.

  
  

Use full practise papers to practise strategy: Challenge capable children with more difficult question types.

Pulling It Together: Balanced Plan to Maximise Success

Here’s a sample plan combining free and paid-resources so you avoid the mistakes above:

1. Weeks 1-3: Use free worksheets from the most common 21 question types to familiarise with question types.

   
   

2. Weeks 4-6: Introduce one or two full practice tests from 4-book bundle under timed conditions.

   
   

3. Throughout: Review every paper, analyse wrong answers, track which question types are weak.

   
   

4. Close to test date: Do at least one full mock test (possibly from the 4-Book Bundle) and practise timing.

Final Thoughts

• Free 11+ Exam Test papers are a powerful tool when used properly—but they’re part of a bigger picture. If you combine them with:

  • regular, structured practise,

    
    

  • solid feedback,

    
    

  • realistic full-test practice,

    
    

  • and strategic planning,

  you give your child a far greater chance of achieving their best.