The cost of 11+ preparation varies enormously, from under £200 for self-directed families to over £10,000 for families using multiple tutors and group classes.
The short answer
A reasonable mid-range budget is £1,500 to £3,000 across Years 5 and 6. This covers workbooks, practice papers, one tutor session per week for the harder subject, and entry fees to mock test events.
The longer answer
A bare-minimum budget is £150 to £300 across the two years: a workbook for each subject (£10 each), a paper subscription (£50), and one or two mock test entries.
High-end budgets ( £5,000+) typically include weekly tutoring in two subjects, group exam-technique classes in the autumn of Year 6, and multiple mock test entries. Returns at this level are diminishing.
What experienced parents do
The marginal value comes from specific weaknesses being addressed by an expert. Generic "we tutor everything" packages are often less efficient than targeted "this child needs help with extended writing" interventions.
What to avoid
Avoid: large up-front packages where the cost is paid in advance for a full year. Refunds rarely materialise if you change tutor mid-year. Pay weekly or monthly.
Practical next step
Decide the budget at the start of Year 5 and stick to it. Mid-year escalation is the single most common pattern — and rarely produces better results than the original plan would have done. A small, deliberate action this week is worth more than a grand plan for the year ahead.