11 Plus Maths Questions: 20 Practice Problems with Answers and Explanations

11 Plus maths questions are designed to test more than just basic arithmetic. They assess how well a child can think through problems, apply logic, and work under time pressure. Many students who perform well in school maths still struggle with 11 Plus maths exam questions because the format is different. Questions often require multiple steps, careful reading, and efficient problem-solving.

This guide provides a structured set of 11 Plus maths questions with answers, progressing from beginner to advanced level. Each question includes a clear explanation of how to approach it, so students understand the method rather than memorising answers. Alongside practice, this page also explains how to improve performance, avoid common mistakes, and prepare effectively for real exam conditions.

What to Expect from 11 Plus Maths Questions

11 Plus maths questions usually cover Key Stage 2 topics, but they are presented in a more demanding way. Instead of testing straightforward classroom calculations, they often require children to interpret information, choose the correct method, and solve problems efficiently under time pressure.

Arithmetic

Arithmetic remains a core part of the exam, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The difference is that these skills are often built into multi-step questions rather than asked on their own. A child may need to complete several calculations in the right order to reach the final answer.

Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages

Fractions, decimals, and percentages are also common in 11 Plus maths questions. These topics often appear in practical contexts such as money, measurements, sharing amounts, or finding parts of a total. Children need to be comfortable moving between these formats and applying them accurately.

Word Problems

Word problems are a major focus in most 11 Plus maths papers. These questions test reading comprehension as much as mathematical ability. A pupil has to identify the important information, ignore anything irrelevant, and turn the wording into a clear mathematical process.

GL vs CEM Questions

Exam boards such as GL Assessment and CEM differ slightly in style. GL questions tend to be more structured and predictable, while CEM-style maths questions often involve more reasoning and less familiar wording. Understanding both styles is useful when building effective 11 Plus maths practice.

How to Approach 11 Plus Maths Questions Effectively

Success in 11 Plus maths is not just about knowing the content. It is about applying the right strategy under timed conditions.

Read the Question Carefully Before Solving

Students should begin by reading each question carefully and identifying exactly what is being asked. Many mistakes happen because a child jumps into the calculation too quickly. Once the goal is clear, it becomes much easier to decide which mathematical method is needed.

Work Through the Steps Clearly

Working step by step is one of the safest ways to improve accuracy. Even when a question looks simple, rushing can lead to avoidable mistakes. Writing down each stage helps children stay organised, reduces careless errors, and makes it easier to check the answer at the end.

Manage Time Without Panicking

Time management is another important part of 11 Plus maths practice. Students should avoid spending too long on one difficult problem. In most cases, it’s better to move on, collect marks from easier questions, and return to the harder one later if there’s time left.

Regular Practice

Regular exposure to different types of 11 Plus maths problems helps children build familiarity with the format. Over time, they begin to recognise common patterns, understand what each question is really testing, and solve problems more efficiently and confidently.

11 Plus Maths Questions with Answers

Beginner Questions (1–7)

1. What is 245 + 378?
Answer: 623
Explanation: Add the hundreds, tens, and ones separately. This tests basic addition accuracy.

2. Subtract 156 from 400.
Answer: 244
Explanation: Break it into steps: 400 − 100 = 300, then subtract the remaining 56.

3. What is 8 × 7?
Answer: 56
Explanation: Multiplication recall must be instant at this level.

4. Divide 72 by 8.
Answer: 9
Explanation: Understanding division as repeated subtraction or multiplication inverse.

5. What is half of 50?
Answer: 25
Explanation: Simple fraction recognition.

6. A pencil costs 5p. How much do 6 pencils cost?
Answer: 30p
Explanation: Multiply price by quantity.

7. What is 100 − 47?
Answer: 53
Explanation: Subtraction across tens.

Intermediate Questions (8–14)

8. What is 3/4 of 80?
Answer: 60
Explanation: Divide 80 by 4, then multiply by 3.

9. A train travels 60 miles in 2 hours. What is its speed?
Answer: 30 mph
Explanation: Speed = distance ÷ time.

10. What is 25% of 200?
Answer: 50
Explanation: 25% is one quarter.

11. A number is multiplied by 5 to get 45. What is the number?
Answer: 9
Explanation: Reverse the operation.

12. If 4 apples cost £2, how much do 10 apples cost?
Answer: £5
Explanation: Find the cost per apple, then scale.

13. What is 1.5 + 2.75?
Answer: 4.25
Explanation: Align decimal points.

14. A rectangle has a length of 10 cm and a width of 4 cm. What is its area?
Answer: 40 cm²
Explanation: Area = length × width.

Advanced Questions (15–20)

15. A shop reduces prices by 20%. A £50 item is reduced. What is the new price?
Answer: £40
Explanation: Find 20%, then subtract.

16. A number is increased by 15% to become 115. What was the original number?
Answer: 100
Explanation: Reverse percentage increase.

17. A tank holds 120 litres. It’s filled to 3/5. How much water is in the tank?
Answer: 72 litres
Explanation: Multiply 120 by 3/5.

18. A car travels 150 km in 3 hours. If it continues at the same speed, how far will it travel in 5 hours?
Answer: 250 km
Explanation: Find the hourly rate first.

19. The sum of two numbers is 50. One is 18. What is the other?
Answer: 32
Explanation: Subtract from total.

20. A bag contains 3 red, 5 blue, and 2 green balls. How many are there in total?
Answer: 10
Explanation: Add all quantities.

Common Mistakes in 11 Plus Maths Questions

Students often lose marks not because they lack ability, but because of avoidable mistakes. The most common issues include:

• Misreading the question: A small misunderstanding can lead to using the wrong method, even if the maths itself is easy.
• Rushing calculations under time pressure: Skipping steps or working too quickly increases the risk of simple arithmetic errors.
• Trying to solve multi-step problems mentally: Without writing down steps, it becomes harder to track the process, and mistakes are more likely.
• Poor time management across the paper: Spending too long on one difficult question reduces the chance of completing easier ones later.

How to Improve Your 11 Plus Maths Performance

Improvement in 11 Plus maths comes from consistent, focused practice. Here are some tips to ace the 11 Plus maths section.

Build Consistency Through Regular Practice

Improvement in 11 Plus maths comes from consistent, focused practice rather than occasional revision. Working through a wide range of 11 Plus maths questions helps build familiarity with different formats and difficulty levels.

Over time, regular exposure allows students to recognise patterns more quickly and approach questions with greater confidence. Daily practice, even in shorter sessions, is far more effective than irregular, intensive study.

Learn from Mistakes, Not Just Answers

Reviewing mistakes properly is one of the most effective ways to improve. Instead of simply correcting an answer, students should take the time to identify exactly where the mistake occurred and why the method was incorrect.

This deeper understanding helps prevent the same error from happening again. Reinforcing the correct approach builds stronger problem-solving skills over time.

Use Timed Practice to Build Exam Readiness

Timed practice plays a key role in preparing for real exam conditions. It helps students develop the ability to work efficiently without sacrificing accuracy.

Practising under time limits highlights areas where speed needs improvement and encourages better decision-making during the test. Without this element, students may struggle to complete the paper within the allocated time.

Use Structured Tools to Reinforce Skills

Structured practice tools provide a more organised and effective way to improve performance. Following a guided approach ensures that all key topics are covered while also allowing students to focus on weaker areas.

This balanced method supports steady progress and builds confidence. Practising maths daily in the app can further reinforce these skills and help maintain long-term retention.

Frequently Asked Questions