Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGS) — UK 11 Plus Entrance Exam Preparation
Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGS Guildford Dubai) brings 500 years of British educational heritage to the UAE. With its strong academic ethos and close connection to RGS Guildford in the UK, many families choose the school with one long-term objective in mind: securing a place at a selective UK grammar school or top independent school.
Whether you are relocating back to the UK or planning a future boarding/day school application, the 11 Plus exam becomes a crucial part of your child’s educational journey.
This guide explains what RGS Dubai parents need to know about the 11 Plus, how it differs from the UAE curriculum, and how to prepare effectively.
Is Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai a good starting point for UK 11 Plus preparation?
Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai provides an excellent academic foundation for UK entrance exams.
As a sister school to Royal Grammar School Guildford (one of the most prestigious independent schools in England), the Dubai campus emphasises:
High standards in English, Maths, and analytical thinking
A rigorous British curriculum
Academic ambition and scholarship culture
Strong enrichment opportunities
A values-driven environment that UK schools appreciate
However, even with this strong starting point, the 11 Plus requires skills and exam techniques that go beyond the RGS Dubai curriculum, including:
Advanced English comprehension
UK-specific creative writing
Grammar school verbal & non-verbal reasoning
Speed-based exam technique
Competitive independent school interviews
Because of this, RGS students aiming for high-tier UK schools must follow a targeted 11 Plus programme alongside school learning.
Do Royal Grammar School Dubai students need to take the 11 Plus for UK admissions?
Yes almost all competitive UK schools require entrance testing at 10–11. Families typically prepare for one of two pathways:
1. UK Grammar School 11+ Exams
For selective state schools such as:
Tiffin Boys/Girls
Sutton Grammar Schools
QE Boys
Colchester Royal Grammar
Kendrick
Slough/Reading Consortium
Trafford Grammar Schools
Grammar schools usually test:
English comprehension
Maths reasoning
Verbal reasoning (VR)
Non-verbal reasoning (NVR)
2. UK Independent School Entrance Exams
For day and boarding schools such as:
RGS Guildford (UK)
Harrow
Eton
Winchester
Wellington
St Paul’s Girls/Boys
Wycombe Abbey
Tonbridge
Sevenoaks
Cheltenham Ladies’ College
These exams test:
English comprehension
Creative writing
Maths
Reasoning (sometimes)
Interviews & group tasks
RGS Dubai students have a strong chance of success — but only with UK-specific preparation.
What is the 11 Plus exam for students coming from Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai?
The 11 Plus (11+) is a highly competitive entrance exam taken in Year 6. It assesses a child’s academic mastery, reasoning ability, and suitability for fast-paced learning.
Here’s what the exam typically includes:
English (Comprehension & Writing)
A major focus for UK schools. Students must analyse:
Classic literature
Modern fiction
Non-fiction texts
Complex vocabulary and inference
Writing tasks include:
Descriptive pieces
Story openings
Persuasive arguments
Creative responses to prompts
This is often the biggest gap for UAE-based students.
Mathematics (Problem-Solving & Reasoning)
More advanced than standard Year 6 worksheets.
Includes:
Multi-step problems
Fractions, decimals, percentages
Algebraic reasoning
Ratio and proportion
Geometry and measures
Logic-based puzzles
Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning
These are key elements of 11 Plus preparation and often unfamiliar to UAE students.
Verbal Reasoning (VR) includes:
Word codes and sequences
Synonym/antonym logic
Letter patterns
Word analogies
Logic-based vocabulary tasks
Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR) includes:
Shape sequences
2D/3D pattern recognition
Rotations and transformations
Figure matrices
Spatial reasoning puzzles
These sections move very quickly and success depends on repeated exposure and strong technique.
Interviews & Group Assessments
Independent schools typically test:
Communication skills
Critical thinking
Confidence
Problem-solving
Teamwork
Personal reflection
RGS Dubai students usually perform well here but still require practice and interview strategy coaching.
What level do Royal Grammar School Dubai students need for 11 Plus success?
To compete with UK students (who often begin preparation years earlier), RGS Dubai students should aim for:
English
Above UK national average reading level
Ability to analyse complex passages
Strong writing stamina and vocabulary
Confident use of figurative language
Maths
Strong calculation skills
Secure reasoning ability
Exposure to Year 7 foundations
Accuracy under timed conditions
VR/NVR
Often completely new — must be taught explicitly and practised weekly.
Exam Technique
Critical for success:
Timing strategies
Multiple-choice tactics
Mark-scheme precision
Managing pressure
For top schools like RGS Guildford UK, St Paul’s, or Tiffin, students should expect to work one full year ahead of standard curriculum level.
What questions appear in the 11 Plus exams for Royal Grammar School Dubai families?
1. English Comprehension
Tests include:
Vocabulary in context
Character analysis
Author choices
Inference and deduction
Long structured answers
2. Creative Writing
Tasks may ask students to:
Continue a story
Write descriptively from an image
Produce a persuasive piece
Create atmosphere, tension, or dialogue
Quality of writing is a major differentiator.
3. Maths Problem-Solving
Questions typically focus on:
Multi-step reasoning
Fractions & ratio
Negative numbers
Logic puzzles
Shapes & measures
4. Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning
These sections reward:
Pattern recognition
Fast processing
Logical thinking
Visual memory
Reasoning papers can be challenging and are rarely covered in UAE classrooms.
How should my child prepare for the UK 11 Plus from Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai?
1. Start early: ideally 12–24 months ahead
UK students start 11 Plus prep from Year 3 or 4.
2. Begin with a diagnostic
Identifies whether the priority is English, writing, reasoning, or maths.
3. Build strong English foundations
Focus on:
Advanced vocabulary
Wide reading
Literary comprehension
Detailed writing techniques
4. Strengthen maths problem-solving
Move beyond curriculum worksheets to:
Multi-step questions
Algebra
Ratio and proportion
Higher-order reasoning
5. Introduce VR/NVR early
These areas require explicit teaching and consistent practice.
6. Practise exam technique
Students must learn:
How to work under pressure
How to manage timing
How to avoid common traps
How to maximise marks
7. Prepare for interviews
Independent schools focus on:
Confidence
Communication
Problem solving
Interests and reading habits
8. Use timed full mock exams
Builds stamina, speed, and exam resilience.
When should Royal Grammar School Dubai families begin 11 Plus preparation?
Recommended timeline:
Year 4 – Light foundations
Year 5 – Full 11 Plus programme
Year 6 – Intensive revision, mocks, and interviews
Families planning a UK relocation or applying from overseas should begin as early as possible, ideally 12–18 months before exams.
FAQs for Royal Grammar School Dubai parents preparing for the UK 11 Plus
Is the 11 Plus harder from overseas?
Only if students don’t receive UK-specific preparation.
Do RGS Dubai students get into top UK schools?
Yes with structured 11 Plus support.
Is online preparation effective?
It is the preferred method for international families.
Does my child need top-level English?
Yes especially for independent schools.
Do UK schools require interviews?
Most independent and some grammar schools do.
Supporting Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai students aiming for UK 11 Plus success
RGS Guildford Dubai provides an exceptional academic environment but the UK 11 Plus requires specialised training, advanced reasoning, and high-level English writing and comprehension skills that go beyond the standard curriculum.
With structured preparation and expert guidance, RGS Dubai students can compete successfully with UK-based applicants and gain places at top-tier grammar and independent schools.
If you need support with:
11 Plus English
Creative Writing
Maths Reasoning
Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning
Interview Skills
Full Mock Exams & Revision Courses
The Exam Coach team specialises in helping international students achieve outstanding results.
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.
