Repton School Dubai 11 Plus Guide — UK Entrance Exam Preparation
Many families at Repton School Dubai plan ahead for a future transition to the UK, either relocating permanently or securing a place at a selective independent school or grammar school. For these students, preparing for the 11 Plus entrance exams becomes essential.
This guide explains what the 11 Plus involves from an international-school perspective, what skills Repton students need to develop, and how to prepare effectively from Dubai.
Is Repton School Dubai a good starting point for UK 11 Plus preparation?
Repton School Dubai is an excellent foundation for children preparing to take the UK 11 Plus.
Here’s why:
Strong teaching standards in English and Maths
A British curriculum framework that aligns with many 11 Plus expectations
A high-achieving student culture
Strong pastoral support and academic ambition
Exposure to reasoning skills and problem-solving from early years
However, there are important gaps between the Repton curriculum and UK entrance exam requirements, especially in:
Creative writing
Comprehension with UK-literary context
Verbal reasoning
Non-verbal reasoning
UK grammar-school exam structure and timing
Independent school interview preparation
Because of these differences, Repton students must complete targeted 11 Plus preparation to be competitive with UK-based applicants.
Do Repton School Dubai students need to take the 11 Plus to enter UK schools?
Yes, if they are applying to a UK grammar school or a selective independent school, they will need to take an entrance exam at age 10–11.
Most families in Dubai prepare for one of the following:
1. Grammar School 11+ (GL, CEM, CSSE etc.)
For state selective schools such as:
Tiffin
Kendrick
QE Boys
Colchester County High School for Girls
Sutton Grammar
Trafford Grammar Schools
Berkshire Grammar Schools
2. Independent School Entrance Exams
These typically include:
English comprehension
Creative writing
Maths problem-solving
Verbal & non-verbal reasoning
Interview assessments
Schools include:
Eton
Harrow
Charterhouse
Wellington
City of London
St Paul’s Girls/Boys
Wycombe Abbey
Sevenoaks
Tonbridge
Cheltenham Ladies’ College
and many more
Repton students can and do secure offers at these schools but specialised preparation is essential.
What is the UK 11 Plus exam for students coming from Repton Dubai?
The 11 Plus (11+) is a competitive entrance exam taken by students in Year 6 (aged 10–11). It is used for:
Grammar school entry
Independent school entry
Scholarships and bursaries
The exam format varies, but most papers test:
English (Comprehension & Writing)
Repton students often need targeted coaching here because UK exams expect:
Literary comprehension
Inference
Analytical commentary
Advanced creative writing techniques
Mathematics
Based on UK National Curriculum Level 5+ with heavy emphasis on:
Multi-step reasoning
Problem-solving
Algebra foundations
Applied 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 Repton Dubai 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
Interviews & Group Assessments
Especially for independent schools. For Dubai families, the exam can feel very different from Repton’s standard assessments, which is why specialised training is crucial.
What level do Repton students need for 11 Plus success?
To be competitive with UK-based applicants, Repton students typically need to reach:
Above UK national average in English & Maths (Year 6 objectives)
Strong creative writing skills (grammar, structure, vocabulary, narrative flow)
Confident reasoning ability (GL/CEM standards)
Excellent time management under exam conditions
High-level reading comprehension of complex UK texts
High-speed accuracy in multi-step maths questions
For top-tier schools (e.g., St Paul’s, Wycombe Abbey, Tiffin, QE Boys) students will need to work 1–2 years ahead of standard curriculum expectations.
What questions appear in the 11 Plus exam for UK school entry?
The following areas are the most important for Repton students:
1. English Comprehension
Typical tasks:
Extracting meaning
Identifying tone and theme
Explaining vocabulary in context
Long-form written responses
Comparing viewpoints
2. Creative Writing
The biggest gap for Repton students. Skills required:
Persuasive, descriptive, narrative writing
High-level vocabulary
Figurative language
Structure and planning
Writing effectively under time pressure
3. Maths Problem-Solving
Beyond curriculum worksheets:
Algebraic reasoning
Ratio & proportion
Multi-step puzzles
Word problems
Speed-based arithmetic
4. Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning
Often brand new to students in Dubai:
Code-breaking
Sequences & patterns
Word relationships
Shape transformations
Matching and analogies
These reasoning elements are not sufficiently covered in typical Dubai British curriculum schools so targeted preparation is essential.
How should my child prepare for the UK 11 Plus from Dubai?
Here is a practical, parent-friendly pathway:
1. Start early (12–24 months ahead)
Dubai-based applicants compete with UK students preparing from Year 3 and 4.
2. Complete a diagnostic
This identifies whether the main work is needed in:
English writing
Comprehension
Maths reasoning
VR/NVR
Interview confidence
3. Build core academic skills
Especially:
Reading comprehension
Speed arithmetic
Writing stamina
Inference and analytical thinking
4. Introduce Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning
Most Repton students are unfamiliar with these skills until taught directly.
5. Prepare for creative writing (the #1 differentiator)
Independent schools award scholarships based on writing quality.
6. Use timed practice regularly
Exam pressure and speed matter significantly more in UK entrance exams.
7. Attend online 11 Plus classes or tutoring
This helps bridge:
UK-specific formats
Timing challenges
Advanced curriculum expectations
Interview techniques
8. Simulate full exam conditions
Students must practice full-length papers under authentic time pressure.
When should Repton Dubai families begin 11 Plus preparation?
Recommended timeline:
Year 4 (ages 8–9) → early foundation work
Year 5 (ages 9–10) → formal 11 Plus programme
Year 6 (ages 10–11) → final revision, mock exams, interview training
Families moving mid-year or applying internationally should start as early as possible, ideally 12–18 months before exams.
FAQs for Repton Dubai parents preparing for UK 11 Plus
Is it harder to prepare for the 11 Plus from Dubai?
Not if you use structured, UK-style resources but you must cover content not taught in UAE schools.
Do Repton students get accepted into top UK schools?
Yes, many do, but typically with additional specialist preparation.
Can my child prepare online for the 11 Plus?
Yes. Online preparation is now the most efficient and flexible method for Dubai families.
Does my child need to know the UK curriculum?
Yes, at least up to Year 6, and often Year 7 for top schools.
Is the 11 Plus only about academics?
Interviews, writing quality, reasoning ability, and confidence all matter.
Helping Repton Dubai students succeed in the 11 Plus
Repton School Dubai gives students a strong academic foundation but the 11 Plus requires specific skills and exam techniques that go beyond standard UAE or international-school curricula.
With the right preparation, Dubai-based students can compete on equal footing with UK applicants and secure places at top 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.
