11 Plus Maths Prep: How Tutors Help Fill Gaps Before the Big Test

 Why Small Maths Gaps Can Make a Big Difference

Every year, capable children miss out on grammar school places not because they can’t do the maths, but because small gaps trip them up under exam pressure. A missed step in a word problem, a forgotten fraction rule, or a slow mental calculation can cost valuable marks.

This is why more parents are turning to 11 plus tutors online. They want reassurance that their child hasn’t quietly fallen behind in key areas and that nothing important is being left to chance before the exam.

In this guide, we’ll look at how tutors identify and fill maths gaps, why these gaps often go unnoticed, and how approaches like the spiral curriculum help children build confidence and long-term understanding before the big day.

What Are “Gaps” in 11 Plus Maths?

When parents hear “learning gaps”, they often imagine something dramatic. In reality, most gaps are small but they matter.

Common 11 Plus maths gaps include:

• Weak number sense or place value

• Insecure fractions, decimals, or percentages

• Difficulty choosing the right operation

• Struggling with multi-step word problems

• Slow mental maths

• Losing accuracy under time pressure

These gaps often don’t show up in schoolwork because classroom maths usually focuses on one topic at a time. The 11 Plus doesn’t work like that.

Why the 11 Plus Exposes Gaps So Quickly

The 11 Plus is designed to test how children think, not just what they remember.

Children are expected to:

• Apply familiar maths in unfamiliar ways

• Combine multiple topics in one question

• Work quickly and accurately

• Explain or reason through their answers

• Stay calm under pressure

This is why confident pupils can suddenly struggle when they start exam-style practice. It’s also why parents often feel unsure how to help.

How Tutors Spot Gaps That Parents Often Miss

One of the biggest advantages of working with a tutor is how quickly gaps become visible.

A tutor doesn’t just look at answers they watch how a child works.

They notice:

• Hesitation before starting

• Guessing rather than reasoning

• Repeated careless errors

• Confusion between similar methods

• Loss of confidence with unfamiliar wording

This kind of early diagnosis is often highlighted when parents explore the benefits of an 11 Plus maths tutor, especially when revision feels busy but progress feels slow.

Why Parents Find Gap-Filling Difficult at Home

Parents are hugely supportive, but gap-filling is hard without specialist knowledge.

Common challenges include:

• Not knowing which topics matter most

• Using different methods from school

• Children resisting help from parents

• Limited time to analyse mistakes

• Revision turning into tension

This is why many families combine home support with external guidance, especially when emotions start running high.

How Tutors Fill Gaps Step by Step

Good tutors don’t rush through content. They rebuild understanding carefully and systematically.

Step 1: Strengthening the foundations

If a child struggles with fractions, a tutor may go back to:

• Visual models

• Number lines

• Simple comparisons

• Real-life examples

Step 2: Building confidence

Children need to feel safe making mistakes. Tutors use calm encouragement and clear explanations similar to strategies discussed in building confidence for the 11 Plus.

Step 3: Practising in different formats

Skills are practised through:

• Short fluency tasks

• Word problems

• Mixed-topic questions

• Timed mini-tests

Step 4: Applying skills to exam-style questions

Once understanding is secure, children practise using the skill in unfamiliar contexts exactly what the 11 Plus demands.

The Role of the Spiral Curriculum in Filling Maths Gaps

One of the most effective tools tutors use is the spiral curriculum.

This approach means maths topics are revisited regularly over time, rather than being taught once and forgotten.

For example:

• A child learns basic fractions

• Fractions return later in word problems

• They reappear alongside percentages

• They show up again in mixed exam questions

Each time, the level of challenge increases slightly.

This prevents the common problem parents describe as “They knew this last term, but they’ve forgotten it now.”

Why the Spiral Curriculum Works So Well for the 11 Plus

The 11 Plus doesn’t test topics in neat blocks. Questions mix skills together.

A spiral curriculum helps because it:

• Strengthens long-term memory

• Reduces panic when topics reappear

• Helps children spot patterns across questions

• Builds confidence through familiarity

How Tutors Use the Spiral Curriculum in Real Sessions

Rather than saying “we’ve done that already”, tutors using a spiral approach might:

• Start sessions with a short recap of older topics

• Link new methods to familiar ideas

• Mix previous skills into homework

• Revisit earlier gaps regularly without pressure

This is particularly effective for children who:

• Forget methods easily

• Struggle to transfer knowledge

• Lose confidence when questions look different

It also supports families using personalised maths home learning, where practice adapts to the child rather than following a rigid plan.

Common Maths Gaps Tutors See in Year 4 and Year 5

Here are some of the most frequent gaps tutors encounter during 11 Plus preparation:

These gaps are very common and very fixable with the right approach.

How Tutors Help Children Handle Exam Pressure

Even when knowledge gaps are filled, exam pressure can undo good work.

Tutors help by:

• Introducing timed practice gradually

• Teaching when to move on

• Modelling calm problem-solving

• Practising efficient checking methods

This support is especially helpful for anxious children, similar to those discussed in worried about exam pressure and building confidence in maths.

Gaps Caused by Disrupted Learning

Some children have uneven understanding because learning hasn’t always been consistent.

Parents often notice:

• Forgotten basics

• Patchy knowledge across topics

• Reduced confidence

Approaches explored in effective remote education and remote education for kids show how targeted, structured support helps children rebuild without feeling behind.

How Parents Can Support Gap-Filling at Home

You don’t need to teach everything yourself. Small actions make a big difference.

Helpful habits include:

• Asking children to explain what they learnt

• Encouraging them to show working

• Keeping sessions short and focused

• Praising effort, not just results

• Avoiding comparisons with others

For busy families, ideas similar to catch-up maths tips for busy families can help maintain progress without pressure.

How Long Does It Take to Fill Maths Gaps?

This depends on:

• How long the gap has existed

• How confident the child feels

• Consistency of practice

• Whether the spiral approach is used

Small gaps may improve within weeks. Deeper gaps take longer but progress is usually visible once the right structure is in place.

Signs That Gaps Are Closing

Parents often notice:

• Faster problem-solving

• Fewer careless mistakes

• Greater willingness to attempt challenges

• Clearer explanations

• Increased confidence

These changes matter just as much as practice scores.

Do All Children Need a Tutor?

Not necessarily.

Some children progress well with:

• Structured home revision

• Strong school support

• Clear routines

However, tutoring is particularly helpful when:

• Gaps keep reappearing

• Confidence is low

• Parents feel unsure how to help

• Practice papers cause stress

In these cases, targeted support saves time and reduces anxiety.

Final Thoughts: Filling Gaps Is About Confidence, Not Pressure

The aim of 11 Plus maths prep isn’t perfection it’s preparedness.

When gaps are identified early and addressed calmly, children:

• Trust their understanding

• Recognise familiar ideas in new questions

• Stay calmer under pressure

• Perform closer to their true ability

Whether support comes from home routines or 11 plus tutors online, the key is steady, structured learning supported by a spiral curriculum that builds understanding over time.