June 2026 · 5 min read
The one exam habit that separates prepared children from unprepared ones
It’s not vocabulary lists. It’s knowing which questions to skip — and when.
Exam Technique
Read →The Blog
Straight talk on the 11+.
Joe writes about what he actually sees — what works, what doesn't, and what most people in this space won't say out loud.
Latest · July 2026 · 6 min read
Why your child’s mock score is probably not what you think it is.
Most 11+ preparation centres calibrate mock scores to retain students — not to predict real exam performance. Here’s what the number actually tells you.
For ParentsHonest Assessment
The score you see on a mock is not the score your child would get in a real exam — and the people running the mock usually know that.
From this post
June 2026 · 6 min read
What we find in a Gap Analysis (and what surprises most parents)
There are four categories of error. Most tutors only address one of them.
For ParentsHonest Assessment
Read →May 2026 · 4 min read
How to tell if a tutor is actually helping — or just occupying time
Three questions to ask after every session.
For Parents
Read →May 2026 · 5 min read
Is the target school realistic? How to actually find out.
Not the comfortable answer. The honest one.
Honest Assessment
Read →April 2026 · 7 min read
The metacognition advantage — what it is and why it matters for the 11+
Children who can think about their own thinking outperform children who are drilled. Here’s why that’s not obvious.
Metacognition
Read →April 2026 · 4 min read
Using everyday moments as 11+ preparation
A trip to Tesco. A conversation in the car. How ordinary life builds the skills the exam tests.
For ParentsMetacognition
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