Ilford County High School 11 Plus: Exam & Preparation Guide
Ilford County High School uses the Redbridge 11 Plus for selective Year 7 entry. The GL test is split across two papers covering English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning. This guide explains the Ilford County High School 11 Plus exam format, what it means for preparation, and how Learning Street’s GL courses and Redbridge mock exams can help your child prepare effectively.
Ilford County High School 11 Plus at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| School | Ilford County High School |
| Area | London – Redbridge |
| Entrance test | Redbridge 11 Plus |
| Exam provider | GL |
| Exam structure | Two papers |
| Paper 1 | English and Verbal Reasoning |
| Paper 2 | Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning |
Information and Mock Exam review: The information on this page and Learning Street’s Ilford County High School mock exams are reviewed against the latest reliable information available about the Ilford County High School entrance test.
Learning Street provides Redbridge-specific mock exams alongside structured GL preparation courses covering the English, Maths and reasoning skills required for this test.
Quick Contents
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Exam Format | Mock Exams | Pass Marks | Preparation | Courses
Ilford County High School 11 Plus Exam Format
The Ilford County High School 11 Plus uses the Redbridge GL test, consisting of two papers: Paper 1 contains English and Verbal Reasoning, while Paper 2 contains Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Paper 1 – English and Verbal Reasoning combines literacy with language-based reasoning. Children therefore need secure comprehension and vocabulary skills alongside the ability to solve verbal problems accurately.
Paper 2 – Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning combines numerical problem solving with visual reasoning. Children need secure Maths foundations together with the ability to identify patterns and relationships within unfamiliar visual information.
Both papers require children to move between different styles of thinking while maintaining concentration and accuracy. Preparation should therefore develop the individual subject skills first before bringing them together under timed conditions.
What Does the Ilford County High School Exam Format Mean for Preparation?
The Redbridge 11 Plus requires balanced preparation across English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
English and Verbal Reasoning are closely linked through vocabulary. Children can understand the reasoning technique needed for a question but still struggle if unfamiliar words prevent them from recognising the relationship being tested.
Maths preparation should begin with secure KS2 foundations. Routine calculations need to become accurate and efficient before children spend significant time tackling more demanding problems under time pressure.
Non-Verbal Reasoning requires a different approach. Children should learn to examine visual information systematically, checking features such as shape, number, position, direction, rotation, reflection and shading.
Because each paper combines two areas, children should also become comfortable switching between different question types without losing concentration or accuracy.
A sensible progression is therefore core skills → vocabulary and numeracy development → accuracy → flexible application → revision → timed work → complete Redbridge mock exams.
Ilford County High School 11 Plus Mock Exams and Practice Papers
Learning Street researches the known Redbridge 11 Plus format, paper length and timings when producing its Redbridge mocks. We also provide realistic answer sheets, invigilation instructions and guidance on when time should be called so parents can reproduce the practical demands of the test at home as closely as possible.
Pack 1 | Pack 2 | Pack 3 | Pack 4
Save 20% – Buy all four for £48.
Redbridge 11 Plus Mock Exam Bundle – Packs 1–4
Ilford County High School 11 Plus Pass Marks and Standardised Scores
Learning Street’s current Ilford County High School preparation information does not provide one fixed raw practice-paper percentage that should be treated as a permanent Ilford County High School 11 Plus pass mark.
A percentage achieved on a Learning Street Redbridge mock should therefore be used primarily to measure preparation and progress rather than treated as equivalent to an official entrance-test result.
An overall mock percentage can also hide important differences between the areas being tested. A child may appear to be performing strongly overall while consistently losing marks through weaker comprehension, vocabulary, a particular Maths topic or one type of Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Learning Street’s detailed answers are most useful when they help identify whether marks are being lost because of knowledge gaps, accuracy, timing or exam technique.
Parents can then target the weaker areas before using another fresh mock to assess whether performance improves under timed conditions.
How to Prepare for the Ilford County High School 11 Plus
Effective Ilford County High School 11 Plus preparation should develop secure underlying English, Maths and reasoning skills before children rely heavily on complete mock exams.
Learning Street’s GL programmes develop Vocabulary, English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning through structured learning, revision and increasingly timed practice.
English Preparation
English preparation should develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Children should become comfortable reading unfamiliar material accurately while still working efficiently. Regular reading should be supported by structured comprehension practice so they learn to retrieve information, interpret wording carefully and distinguish between closely related possible answers.
Vocabulary development is particularly valuable for Ilford County High School preparation because word knowledge supports both the English and Verbal Reasoning elements of Paper 1.
Verbal Reasoning Preparation
Verbal Reasoning combines language knowledge with logical thinking.
Children should learn reliable approaches to different word, letter, code and relationship questions rather than simply memorising solutions to familiar examples.
Vocabulary development is central to this preparation. Even when children understand the reasoning method involved, unfamiliar words can make otherwise manageable questions significantly harder.
Vocabulary should therefore be developed systematically and revisited regularly throughout preparation.
Maths Preparation
Maths preparation should begin with secure KS2 knowledge. Times tables, mental Maths and the four operations should become accurate and reliable before substantial time pressure is introduced.
Children should then progress towards mixed problems where they have to decide independently which mathematical method is required.
This develops flexible problem solving rather than dependence on questions being grouped into familiar topics. Accuracy should come before speed, with timed work becoming increasingly useful once the underlying methods are secure.
Non-Verbal Reasoning Preparation
Non-Verbal Reasoning requires children to analyse visual information carefully and systematically.
Children should learn to examine features such as shape, number, position, direction, rotation, reflection and shading. A consistent approach makes it easier to apply reasoning skills to unfamiliar questions rather than relying on recognition of previously practised examples.
As Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning appear together in Paper 2, children should also become comfortable switching between numerical and visual problem solving while maintaining concentration.
Building Exam Technique and Stamina
Once the underlying skills are secure, timed work should become increasingly important.
Children need to maintain concentration while moving between the different elements of each paper. They should also become familiar with answer sheets, working accurately under time pressure and continuing effectively after encountering a difficult question.
Learning Street’s Redbridge mocks can then be used to bring these skills together under realistic test-style conditions.
View the Redbridge 11 Plus Mock Exam Bundle – Packs 1–4
Which Ilford County High School 11 Plus Course Should You Choose?
Learning Street offers three main GL preparation routes for children preparing for the Ilford County High School 11 Plus: Complete, Enhance and Boost.
These programmes develop Vocabulary, English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning through structured learning, revision and timed testing.
The most suitable programme depends mainly on how much preparation time remains.
| Preparation time | Learning Street course | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 30–40+ weeks | Complete GL | Our most comprehensive preparation |
| 15–30 weeks | Enhance GL | A shorter structured programme |
| 6–15 weeks | Boost GL | Focused preparation when less time remains |
Complete GL — 30–40+ Weeks
Learning Street’s Complete GL 11 Plus Programme is the most comprehensive preparation route. It contains 40 structured parts covering Vocabulary, English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
The programme includes more than 60 timed papers and tests, full answers with detailed explanations and additional work focused on core skills such as vocabulary development and working accurately in English and Maths.
It is most suitable where there is enough time to develop the underlying skills progressively before moving towards substantial revision and increasingly timed work.
The Complete GL 11 Plus Programme
Focused Complete options are also available:
Complete – Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning
Complete – Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Enhance GL — 15–30 Weeks
Learning Street’s Enhance GL programme provides a shorter 20-part preparation route while continuing to cover Vocabulary, English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
The programme contains more than 35 timed papers and tests alongside structured learning and detailed answers. It retains a strong focus on developing the underlying skills rather than relying on test practice alone.
Enhance is most suitable where there is still enough time for substantial structured preparation but not enough time to complete the full 40-part Complete programme properly.
Focused Enhance options are also available:
Enhance – Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning
Enhance – Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Boost GL — 6–15 Weeks
Learning Street’s Boost GL programme is the shortest full preparation route. It contains 10 intensive parts covering Vocabulary, English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
The programme concentrates the core learning, revision and timed practice into a shorter period for families beginning focused Ilford County High School 11 Plus preparation later.
Focused Boost options are also available:
Boost – Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning
Boost – Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Starting Earlier?
If your child is still developing the literacy and numeracy foundations needed before dedicated Ilford County High School 11 Plus preparation begins, Learning Street’s primary-school course chooser can help you select an appropriate starting point.
Primary School – Course Chooser for Younger Children
Already Completed Substantial Preparation?
Learning Street’s 11 Plus Revision Course – GL is suitable for children who have already completed substantial 11 Plus preparation through books, tutoring or another programme but now want a structured period of revision.
It should not normally be completed after one of Learning Street’s Complete, Enhance or Boost programmes because some of the material overlaps.
Also Sitting Independent School Exams?
Children also sitting independent-school entrance tests may need additional preparation in subjects or formats beyond the Ilford County High School Redbridge 11 Plus.
11 Plus Creative Writing Course
11 Plus Maths Stretch and Revision
Current Ilford County High School Admissions Information
Admissions arrangements can change from year to year. For general guidance on 11 Plus preparation and Learning Street courses, use the Learning Street FAQs below.
