Brighton College Dubai — UK 11 Plus Entrance Exam Preparation
Brighton College schools in the UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Al Ain) are among the most academically ambitious British curriculum schools in the region. Many families choose them with a longer-term goal in mind: securing a place at a selective UK grammar school or a top independent school.
Whether you are relocating back to the UK or aiming for a boarding/day school spot, successful entry depends on 11 Plus preparation far beyond the standard UAE curriculum.
This guide explains how Brighton College students can prepare effectively for the 11 Plus, what the exams involve, and how to ensure your child competes confidently with UK-based applicants.
Is Brighton College a good starting point for UK 11 Plus preparation?
Yes. All Brighton College UAE campuses provide:
A strong British curriculum foundation
High expectations in English and Maths
A culture of scholarship and academic excellence
Rigorous pastoral support and enrichment
A close link to Brighton College UK, one of the top independent schools in England
Students from these campuses typically achieve highly and are well suited to the demands of UK selective schools.
However, even with an excellent school environment, the UAE curriculum does not fully cover 11 Plus requirements, particularly:
Advanced creative writing
UK-style comprehension
Verbal reasoning
Non-verbal reasoning
Grammar-school style timing and pressure
Independent school interview preparation
This means Brighton College students must follow a dedicated 11 Plus programme alongside schoolwork.
Do Brighton College UAE students need to take the UK 11 Plus?
Yes for entry to:
1. Grammar Schools (state selective schools)
Including:
Tiffin Boys/Girls
Kendrick
Sutton Grammar
QE Boys
Colchester Royal Grammar
Trafford Grammar Schools
Reading/Slough Consortium
These usually require English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning exams.
2. Independent Schools (day & boarding)
Most top UK institutions require:
English comprehension
Creative writing
Mathematics
Reasoning (sometimes)
Interview performance
Group assessments
Common target schools for Brighton College UAE families include:
Brighton College UK
Eton
Harrow
Winchester
Rugby
Wellington
St Paul’s Boys/Girls
Wycombe Abbey
Sevenoaks
Tonbridge
Cheltenham Ladies’ College
Brighton College students regularly succeed in these exams but only when prepared using UK-specific resources.
What is the 11 Plus exam for students coming from Brighton College UAE?
The 11 Plus (11+) is a UK entrance exam taken in Year 6 (age 10–11). It tests academic strength, reasoning skills, and exam technique.
Brighton College UAE follows the British curriculum, but the 11 Plus goes significantly beyond standard Year 6 work in the following areas:
English
Deep comprehension
Inference and analysis
Literary language
Full-mark paragraph responses
Creative Writing
A major gap for UAE students. Required skills include:
Narrative and descriptive control
Sophisticated vocabulary
Persuasive techniques
Figurative language
Planning under time pressure
Mathematics
More challenging than school worksheets:
Multi-step word problems
Algebraic reasoning
Ratio & proportion
Logic puzzles
Speed-based arithmetic
Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning
These areas are core components of the UK 11 Plus, especially for grammar school entry. They assess logic, pattern recognition, speed of processing, and a child’s ability to understand relationships between words, shapes, and sequences.
For many UAE students, this is the most unfamiliar part of the 11 Plus, because these skills are not taught in the British or IB curriculum used in UAE schools. As a result, students often need structured exposure and practice before they feel confident.
Verbal Reasoning (VR) includes:
Word associations and analogies
Code-breaking with letters and words
Identifying synonyms/antonyms
Syllable patterns
Logic-based vocabulary questions
Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR) includes:
Shape sequences and transformations
3D visual puzzles
Figure matching
Pattern completion
Rotations, reflections, and symmetry
These questions move much faster than standard schoolwork, and success depends on repeated exposure, developing test-friendly strategies, and improving speed without losing accuracy.
Because VR and NVR form a significant part of most grammar school exams — and are sometimes used as early filter tests — building strength in these areas is critical for Dubai-based applicants.
Interviews, Oracy, Group Tasks
Especially for independent schools and scholarship applications. Brighton College students are well placed to succeed but only with structured 11 Plus preparation that fills the skill gaps.
What level do Brighton College students need for 11 Plus success?
To be competitive with UK-based applicants, students generally need:
English
Strong reading stamina
Excellent vocabulary
Ability to analyse meaning and technique
High-quality, structured writing
Maths
Secure Year 6 curriculum
Exposure to Year 7 foundations
Fast processing & accuracy
Problem-solving confidence
Reasoning (VR/NVR)
Often the most unfamiliar area for Brighton families. Requires explicit teaching and regular practice.
Exam Technique
Time management
Working under pressure
Answering to mark scheme formats
For top-tier schools (St Paul’s, Wycombe Abbey, Brighton College UK, Tiffin, QE Boys), students often need to work one year ahead.
What questions appear in the 11 Plus exam for Brighton College UAE students?
1. English Comprehension
Students must handle texts from:
Classic literature
Modern fiction
Biography
Non-fiction opinion pieces
Questions include:
Evidence-based inference
Authorial technique
Tone and viewpoint
Vocabulary in context
Extended written answers
2. Creative Writing
Independent schools treat writing as a key differentiator.
Tasks include:
Descriptive scenes
Story openings
Persuasive letters
Continuing a narrative
Writing from an image
A typical expectation is 1 full page in 25 minutes, with advanced language and structure.
3. Maths Problem-Solving
Often more challenging than standard UAE worksheets.
Includes:
Multi-step reasoning
Logic puzzles
Geometry and measures
Algebra introduction
Fractions, ratio, decimals
4. Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning
Reasoning is heavily used in grammar schools and some independents.
Verbal Reasoning (VR) includes:
Word codes
Letter-shifting patterns
Logic-based vocabulary exercises
Synonyms/antonyms
Word analogies
Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR) includes:
Shape sequences
Transformations
2D/3D spatial reasoning
Figure matrices
Pattern completion
These sections move quickly and require high exposure and repeated practice.
How should my child prepare for the UK 11 Plus from The UAE?
1. Start early (best: 12–24 months ahead)
UK students often begin in Year 3 or Year 4.
2. Take a diagnostic assessment
This identifies which exam elements need the most focus.
3. Build strong English foundations
The biggest differences with UAE schools are in:
Literary comprehension
Creative writing
Vocabulary richness
Grammar precision
4. Strengthen Maths reasoning
Beyond the Brighton curriculum, students need:
Algebra basics
Multi-step problem-solving
Speed and accuracy
5. Introduce VR/NVR early
Most Brighton students have never seen reasoning papers before beginning 11 Plus preparation.
6. Learn exam technique
This includes:
Working to tight time limits
Spotting traps
Eliminating distractors
Understanding mark schemes
7. Build interview confidence
Independent schools expect:
Articulate communication
Self-reflection
Critical thinking
Mature conversation
Brighton College students are well positioned, but still require interview strategy practice.
8. Regular full mock exams
Simulation helps develop:
Stamina
Timing
Exam discipline
Confidence
When should families at Brighton College UAE begin 11 Plus preparation?
A typical timeline looks like:
Year 4 – Light foundations
Year 5 – Full 11 Plus programme begins
Year 6 – Exam-focused revision, mocks, interviews
Families relocating to the UK mid-year or applying from overseas should ideally start 12–18 months in advance.
FAQs for Brighton College UAE parents preparing for the UK 11 Plus
Is it harder to prepare for the 11 Plus from overseas?
Not if you use UK-specific resources and structured tutoring.
Do Brighton College UAE students get into top UK schools?
Yes — many achieve places each year with targeted 11 Plus preparation.
Is online preparation effective?
Absolutely. It’s the most efficient method for families abroad.
Does my child need UK curriculum mastery?
Yes — at least to Year 6, and often beyond for top schools.
Do independent schools require interviews?
Nearly all do. Interview preparation is essential.
How to support Brighton College UAE students aiming for the UK 11 Plus
Brighton College Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Al Ain provide exceptional academic foundations — but the UK 11 Plus demands specific training, advanced reasoning, high-level writing, and exam technique beyond the standard curriculum.
With structured preparation, UAE students can confidently compete with UK-based applicants and secure places at leading grammar and independent schools.
How The Exam Coach Supports UAE Students
At The Exam Coach, we are 11 Plus exam experts, specialising in bridging the gap between excellent UAE schooling and UK school entrance exam readiness. Our weekly online classes are crafted specifically for UAE families and led by experienced UK tutors.
To help students master these subjects, we offer the following services:
What we offer:
💻 Online workshops covering English comprehension, creative writing, vocabulary, and reasoning
🇬🇧 Experienced UK tutors who teach specifically for the 11 Plus curriculum
🧠 Verbal Reasoning and English vocabulary sessions tailored to UK exam styles
⏰ Live interactive lessons delivered at times convenient for UAE students
🧍♀️ Stand-alone lessons (no long-term lock-ins) so parents can join for exactly what’s needed
We help students gradually build reasoning habits, improve writing technique, and gain confidence in timed exam settings. If you're serious about preparing your child for the 11+, our weekly online tuition for UAE students is designed to align with what top UK schools expect.
📚 Weekly Workshops 📚
In our 11 Plus weekly workshops, your tutor will share some background information about themselves and our workshops with new students. This is followed by 40 minutes of teaching time. Weekly workshops usually run at least a week, usually on weekday evenings. The dates and times of these workshops change each week to ensure everyone can benefit from them.
The content within each workshop varies between 11+ creative writing, comprehension, verbal reasoning or English vocabulary. These classes are a great way to experience our tuition and let your child learn something new before booking one of our courses. Weekly tuition allows us to regularly top up your child’s knowledge during the year prior to their exams.
Each weekly tuition workshop is standalone, meaning your child does not need to have attended any previous sessions to join one. Class notes are sent out 24 hours after each workshop to help students recap what they have learnt.
Types of taster workshop:
Tricky Vocabulary Workout
Verbal Reasoning Synonyms/Antonyms
Comprehension
Creative Writing
Details:
45 minutes.
Introduction to The Exam Coach.
Competitive class testing.
Self-assessed testing.
Walkthrough answers.
Class notes.
When they take place:
At least once a week (date and time announced on Mondays via our email newsletter).
How to register:
📝 11 Plus Practice Papers 📝
We have plenty of practice papers available for various 11+ exam boards to help your child prepare. We provide papers for CEM, GL, ISEB, Kent, Sutton, and Independent School exams.
🎙️ Our Vocabulary Podcast 🎙️
Our 11+ Daily Vocab Show podcast is available on our website and all major streaming platforms. In each episode, we teach children a new word, expanding their vocabulary one word at a time.
Every podcast episode focuses on one tricky piece of vocabulary, ensuring that your child’s vocabulary is built up slowly and that they fully understand each word they learn.
All podcast episodes can be found using the links below:
Listen to the first episode, featuring the word ‘siege’, by clicking the image below.
