September brings the familiar back-to-school rush: new uniforms, sharpened pencils, packed lunch boxes and, for many families, the realisation that 7+ and 8+ entrance tests are getting closer.

For parents, preparing for these assessments can sometimes feel like a second job. There is the academic side — reading, maths, comprehension, vocabulary and reasoning — but there is also a great deal to organise behind the scenes.

The good news is that preparation does not need to mean endless worksheets or hours at the desk. The most successful preparation is usually consistent, calm and well organised.

Here is a practical guide to getting your child ready for the 7+ or 8+ process, including what parents should do in the final days and on examination morning.

Start with the school’s requirements

Every school has its own approach to 7+ and 8+ admissions, so the first step is to make sure you understand exactly what your child is preparing for.

Check:

• What subjects are tested?
• Is there an English paper, maths paper or both?
• Is there a reasoning component?
• Is the assessment computer-based or paper-based?
• Is there an interview?
• Are there group activities or an observation session?
• What time should you arrive?
• Where should you report?
• What equipment, if any, does your child need to bring?
• When will results or offers be communicated?

Keep all the important information in one place. A simple folder or digital document containing dates, timings, instructions and contact details can prevent a great deal of last-minute stress.

Think about preparation as a routine, not a cramming exercise

Children preparing for 7+ and 8+ tests are still young. They need to learn, but they also need plenty of sleep, exercise, play and downtime.

Rather than suddenly increasing the amount of work in September, establish a manageable routine.

For example, a week might include:

Reading: 20–30 minutes most days
Maths: short, focused practice sessions
English: spelling, vocabulary, grammar and comprehension
Reasoning: occasional practice to develop familiarity with question types
Timed work: gradually introduced so that your child becomes comfortable working independently

Short sessions are often more productive than long ones.

The aim is not simply to complete hundreds of questions. It is to help your child become confident at reading instructions carefully, managing their time, checking their work and moving on when a question is difficult.

Use mock tests to identify what your child needs to work on

Practice papers can be useful, but it can sometimes be difficult for a parent to know what the results actually mean.

Is your child struggling with fractions, comprehension, vocabulary or timing? Are there particular question types that repeatedly cause problems? And are they improving over time?

This is where diagnostic mock tests can be particularly helpful.

A useful tool for parents: Axiom Exams

Axiom Exams provides online diagnostic mock tests for 7+ and 8+ preparation, along with detailed progress reports. Rather than simply giving a score, these reports can help parents understand where their child is performing well and, importantly, where they may need further practice.

This gives you a clearer picture of your child’s preparation and can help you focus revision time where it is most valuable — rather than simply doing more and more practice papers.

Regular assessments can also help you track progress over time and see whether the areas you’ve been working on are improving.

For parents preparing their child for an entrance test, having that additional insight can make the preparation process feel much more focused and manageable.

Make reading part of everyday life

Reading is one of the best ways to prepare for the English demands of a 7+ or 8+ assessment.

Encourage your child to read a mixture of fiction and non-fiction. Talk about what they have read rather than turning every book into a test.

Ask questions such as:

• Why do you think the character did that?
• What might happen next?
• Can you find a word that means something similar to…?
• What was the main idea of this chapter?
• How do you know the character was feeling worried?
• Can you explain that sentence in your own words?

This develops comprehension, vocabulary and the ability to explain ideas — all valuable skills for entrance assessments.

Build mathematical confidence through everyday activities

Maths preparation does not have to happen entirely on a worksheet.

Use everyday opportunities to practise mental maths and problem-solving.

Ask your child to:

• Work out change when shopping.
• Double or halve quantities when cooking.
• Compare prices.
• Read the time.
• Estimate distances.
• Spot patterns.
• Add scores when playing games.
• Work out simple fractions using food or objects.

Of course, formal practice is useful too, particularly as the examination approaches. But children benefit from understanding that maths is something they use every day, rather than simply a subject they are tested on.

Don’t forget vocabulary and general knowledge

Vocabulary can make a significant difference to a child’s ability to understand questions and express themselves.

Introduce new words naturally through reading and conversation. If your child encounters an unfamiliar word, discuss what it means and how it might be used.

You can also play simple word games together:

• Synonyms and antonyms
• Word associations
• Odd-one-out games
• Word definitions
• Prefixes and suffixes
• Making sentences with new vocabulary

The important thing is to keep it enjoyable. A child who develops a genuine interest in words will often build vocabulary without realising they are “studying”.

Introduce timed practice gradually

One of the biggest adjustments for children sitting an entrance test is working under time pressure.

If your child has only ever completed questions without a time limit, a timed examination can feel very different.

Start gently.

Give your child a small number of questions and introduce a sensible time limit. As they become more comfortable, gradually increase the length of the exercise.

Teach them that getting stuck is not the same as failing.

A useful strategy is:

Read → Think → Answer → Move on → Return if there is time.

Your child does not need to solve every difficult question immediately. Learning to manage time and remain calm when something is challenging is an important examination skill.

Practise independence

This is particularly important for 7+ and 8+ candidates.

On examination day, parents will not be sitting beside them to explain a question or remind them to turn the page.

Practise giving your child instructions and allowing them to complete tasks independently.

For example:

“Read the instructions carefully, complete these questions and check your answers when you’ve finished.”

Then let them work.

This helps develop confidence and teaches children to take responsibility for their own work.

Have a few practice runs before the real thing

If possible, recreate some of the practical aspects of examination day.

Your child can practise:

• Sitting at a desk for an appropriate length of time.
• Working without interruptions.
• Reading instructions independently.
• Using the required stationery.
• Completing timed sections.
• Checking answers.
• Moving between different types of tasks.

You do not need to turn your home into an examination centre. The purpose is simply to remove some of the unfamiliarity.

The week before the test: resist the temptation to overdo it

As the examination gets closer, it is natural for parents to worry that they haven’t done enough.

This is usually when the temptation to increase the workload appears.

Try not to panic.

The final week is much more about confidence, routine and readiness than trying to teach an enormous amount of new material.

Keep practice relatively short and familiar. Review common mistakes, revise key techniques and make sure your child understands how to approach different question types.

Most importantly, protect bedtime.

A well-rested child is far more likely to perform at their best than one who has spent the previous evening completing extra papers.

The Parent’s Examination-Day Checklist

Preparation for examination day is about much more than revision. A calm morning can make a significant difference to how your child feels when they walk through the school gates.

The night before

Prepare everything in advance.

Check:

☐ School instructions and examination details
☐ Arrival time
☐ Journey and parking arrangements
☐ Uniform or required clothing
☐ School shoes
☐ Pencils and other permitted stationery
☐ Water bottle, if permitted
☐ Any required documents or forms
☐ Alarm clocks
☐ Weather forecast
☐ Breakfast plan

Put everything you can by the front door.

The less you have to think about in the morning, the better.

Get a good night’s sleep

This sounds obvious, but it is worth emphasising.

Don’t turn the night before into a final revision session.

Your child does not need to learn another 50 words at 9pm or complete one last maths paper.

Instead, aim for a normal, relaxing evening and an appropriate bedtime.

If your child is nervous, acknowledge those feelings rather than dismissing them.

You might say:

“It’s completely normal to feel a little nervous. You don’t have to be perfect. Just take your time, read carefully and do your best.”

Plan breakfast

Choose something familiar that your child normally enjoys.

Avoid experimenting with unusual foods on examination morning.

A balanced breakfast can provide energy without making the morning unnecessarily complicated. Allow plenty of time so your child does not have to rush.

Leave earlier than you think you need to

Traffic, road closures, parking problems and unexpected delays have a habit of appearing when you least want them.

Aim to arrive with enough time to walk in calmly rather than rushing through the gates.

Arriving excessively early can also create unnecessary anxiety, so follow the school’s recommended arrival time where possible.

Keep the conversation positive

On the journey, resist the urge to quiz your child.

The car ride to the examination is probably not the ideal moment for:

“What’s 7 × 8?”

or

“Can you remember what a subordinate clause is?”

Instead, talk normally. Listen to music. Chat about something they enjoy.

Your job that morning is to help your child feel safe, calm and confident.

Keep your final message simple

Children can become overwhelmed if parents give them a long list of instructions just before they go in.

A simple message is often best:

Read carefully. Take your time. Do your best.

You could also remind them:

If you find something difficult, don’t panic. Move on and come back if you can.

Then let them go.

What parents should avoid on examination day

There are a few things that can unintentionally increase a child’s anxiety.

Try to avoid:

• Discussing how important the test is repeatedly.
• Comparing your child with friends or siblings.
• Saying, “You have to get in.”
• Giving last-minute revision drills.
• Talking about how many other children are taking the test.
• Showing visible panic if something goes wrong.
• Interrogating your child immediately afterwards.

Remember that your child takes emotional cues from you.

If you appear calm and confident, they are more likely to feel that the situation is manageable.

After the Examination

Once the test is over, the temptation may be to ask:

“What did you get for question 12?”

“How many questions did you finish?”

“What did everyone else find difficult?”

Try to resist.

Your child may remember the examination differently from you, and they may have found parts of it difficult without necessarily having performed badly.

Congratulate them for completing it.

A simple:

“Well done. I’m really proud of you.”

is often all that is needed.

Then move on.

Go for lunch, have a treat, play in the park or do something your child enjoys. The examination is finished.

Remember: The Goal Is Confidence

Preparing for a 7+ or 8+ entrance test is not simply about getting the highest possible score in practice papers.

It is about developing a child who can approach an unfamiliar situation with confidence.

They should know how to:

• Read instructions carefully.
• Work independently.
• Manage their time.
• Stay calm when something is difficult.
• Check their work.
• Ask for help when appropriate.
• Recover from a mistake and continue.

These are skills that will benefit them far beyond the entrance examination.

For parents, the best preparation is a combination of good routines, sensible practice, useful diagnostic feedback, careful organisation and emotional support.

Get the practical details sorted early, keep academic preparation consistent, protect your child’s sleep and wellbeing, and make examination day feel like something they can handle — rather than something they need to fear.

After all, the aim isn’t to produce a child who thinks they must be perfect.

It’s to help them walk into that examination room thinking:

“I know what to do. I can give it a go. I’ve got this.”