11 Plus tutors
New tutors join every week. Browse all 11 Plus tutors — many work with Colchester families online.
Browse all 11 Plus tutorsColchester has two highly competitive grammar schools — King Edward VI Grammar School (KEGS) and Colchester County High School for Girls (CCHSG) — which together attract hundreds of applications each year. Find a specialist tutor — compare rates, read profiles and enquire directly. No agency fees.
The Colchester 11 Plus uses the CEM format, which assesses verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Unlike GL Assessment tests, CEM questions are less predictable — they reward children who have a strong grasp of vocabulary, sharp numerical thinking and fast processing speed. Preparation needs to start at least 6–9 months before the September test date.
Competition for KEGS and CCHSG is intense. The pass mark varies each year based on cohort performance, but typically sits around the 80th–85th percentile nationally. Many families in the CO1–CO7 postcode area begin 11+ preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5. Tutors familiar with the CEM format can help children develop the speed and accuracy needed for timed conditions.
Registration deadline
Most Colchester-area grammar schools open applications in March–April for the following September. The 11+ test is usually held in September.
New tutors join every week. Browse all 11 Plus tutors — many work with Colchester families online.
Browse all 11 Plus tutorsColchester grammar schools (KEGS and CCHSG) use the CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) test format. CEM tests assess verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning and non-verbal reasoning with adaptive, unfamiliar question styles that differ from traditional GL Assessment papers. Preparation should focus on building speed, vocabulary and numerical fluency rather than memorising question types.
Most families in Colchester begin structured 11+ preparation in Year 4 (age 8–9) or early Year 5 (age 9–10). The exam is held in September of Year 6, so starting in Year 5 gives around 12 months of preparation. Children who start in Year 4 have more time to build core skills gradually, which suits the CEM format better than last-minute cramming.
Specialist 11+ tutors in Colchester typically charge between £35 and £65 per hour. Tutors with specific experience of the CEM format used by KEGS and CCHSG — and who use Colchester-specific past papers — often charge at the higher end. Weekly sessions of 1 hour are the most common arrangement, with some families adding extra sessions in the final 8–10 weeks before the September test.
The pass mark varies each year because it is set based on the cohort's performance rather than a fixed score. In general, children need to score in approximately the 80th–85th percentile nationally to be competitive. KEGS and CCHSG both have more applicants than places, so a strong performance is essential.
No tutor can guarantee a pass — the outcome depends on the child's underlying ability and preparation. What a good 11+ tutor CAN do is ensure your child is working at full potential: familiar with the CEM question styles, confident under timed conditions, and practised on realistic past papers. Families who tutor consistently for 9–12 months typically see meaningful improvements in speed and accuracy.
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