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Spelling strategies for the 11+ that actually stick

Updated 2026-11-14

Spelling appears in many 11+ papers, either directly in spot-the-mistake questions or indirectly in cloze passages and written answers. Long lists learned for a Friday test are often forgotten by Monday, so it helps to use methods that last.

Look, say, cover, write, check

This simple routine is still one of the best. Look at the word, say it carefully, cover it, write it from memory, then check it. Repeat for any word that went wrong. Saying the word in syllables, such as “in-ter-est-ing”, helps with long words.

Learn patterns, not just lists

Word families: if you can spell “sign”, you can spell “signal” and “signature”, and the silent “g” makes sense.
Prefixes: un-, dis-, mis-, re- and pre- are added without changing the root word, so “misspell” has two s's.
Suffixes: learn the rules for -ing, -ed and -ly, such as doubling the last consonant in “running” and keeping the “e” in “lovely”.
Tricky endings: -tion, -sion, -cian, -ous and -ible or -able come up often in 11+ papers.

Memory tricks for the awkward ones

Some words do not follow the rules, and a memorable trick can fix them for good. Children remember tricks they invent themselves best. For example:

“Necessary”: one collar and two sleeves (one c, two s's).
“Separate”: there is “a rat” in separate.
“Because”: big elephants can always understand small elephants.

A simple weekly routine

Choose eight to ten words a week: some from your child's own writing, some from a pattern you are working on. Practise for five minutes on three or four days, then test them in sentences at the end of the week. Return to any that went wrong a fortnight later, because coming back to a word after a gap helps it stick.

Keep a small notebook of “my tricky words”. Seeing the list shrink is motivating.

Questions parents ask

Which words should my child learn?

Start with the Year 3–4 and Year 5–6 statutory spelling lists in the National Curriculum for England, which your child's school can share, then add words from their own reading and writing.

How are spellings tested in the 11+?

It varies. Some papers ask children to find the misspelt word in a sentence or passage; others test spelling through missing letters or in a writing task. Check a sample paper for your test.

Does handwriting matter?

In written answers, a word that cannot be read may not get the mark, so clear, joined handwriting helps.

Want to see what a paper set out like your child's test looks like? Every pack and handbook has a free sample. Find your test area or try the free flash cards.