Free for everyone
11+ spelling and punctuation, made simple
The statutory spelling lists with a memory tip for every word, each spelling rule explained in plain English, a punctuation guide with real examples and the mistakes children make, and a free quiz in the 11+ style.
- 212 statutory words
- 18 spelling rules
- 11 punctuation guides
The statutory spelling lists
The words the National Curriculum expects children to spell by the end of Year 4 and Year 6, each with a tip that makes it stick.
Years 3 and 4
Ages 7 to 9The words every child is expected to spell by the end of Year 4. Many 11+ spelling questions use them.
109 words
Years 5 and 6
Ages 9 to 11The harder statutory words for the end of Year 6: the ones 11+ papers most like to misspell on purpose.
103 words
The daily spelling workout
About five minutes a day: your child hears a word and spells it, then fixes some punctuation. Words they get wrong come back until they stick.
- Free account: Years 3–4 words and Starter punctuation
- Premium: Years 5–6 words, every punctuation level, longer workouts
Spelling rules
Learn one rule and you can spell hundreds of words. Each page explains it simply, with examples and the words that break it.
- ie or ei?i before e except after c, when it says 'ee'
- Doubling the last letterWhen to double the last letter before -ed, -ing or -ous
- Words with double lettersHidden double letters you can't hear
- Silent lettersLetters you write but don't say
- ough, augh, eigh and earLetter strings that say different sounds
- -tion, -sion, -ssion or -cian?Four ways to spell the 'shun' ending
- Words ending in -ous-ous means 'full of', and the root word sometimes changes
- -able or -ible?-able after a whole word, -ible after a part
- Adding prefixesA prefix never changes the root word's spelling
- Adding endings: drop the e, change the yWhat happens to e and y when you add an ending
- Adding -lyTurning describing words into adverbs
- Hidden vowels you can't hearQuiet vowels in the middle of long words
- Soft c and soft gc says 's' and g says 'j' before e, i or y
- -cial, -tial, -cious and the 'sh' soundThe 'sh' sound spelt ci, ti or sci
- -ar, -er or -or at the end?Endings that all sound like 'er'
- British spellings-re, -our, -ise and other UK spellings
- HomophonesWords that sound the same but are spelt differently
- Making plurals-s, -es, -ies, -ves and words that change
Punctuation guide
Every mark a child needs for the 11+, with the rules, real examples and the mistakes to watch for.
- A B CCapital lettersSentence starts, I, names, places, days, months and speech
- .Full stopsEnding statements and commands
- ? !Question marks and exclamation marksEnding questions, and showing surprise or strong feeling
- ,CommasLists, fronted adverbials, extra information and speech
- 'Apostrophes for short formsdon't, can't, I'm: where letters are missing
- 'sApostrophes for belongingSam's bag, the girls' coats, the children's books
- “ ”Inverted commas (speech marks)Punctuating what people say
- ( ) –Brackets and dashesAdding extra information
- :ColonsIntroducing a list or an explanation
- ;SemicolonsJoining two closely linked sentences
- its it'sits or it's?The apostrophe only means 'it is' or 'it has'
How the 11+ tests spelling and punctuation
GL Assessment English papers, and many others, test it in these ways.
Find the spelling mistake
A sentence is split into four parts. Find the part with a spelling mistake, or choose N if there isn't one.
We were / very greatful / for the help / of our neighbours.
Answer: B: grateful
Find the punctuation mistake
The same layout, but looking for a missing or wrong punctuation mark. Capital letters count as punctuation.
On saturday / we went to / the park with / my cousins.
Answer: A: Saturday needs a capital
Spelling in your own writing
Creative writing papers and some school tests reward accurate spelling and punctuation in a child's own story.
"Where are you going?" asked Mum.
Answer: Speech punctuated correctly
Try ten questions
Spot the correct spelling and find the punctuation mistake, marked straight away. No account needed.
Start the free quiz
How to help at home
Look, say, cover, write, check
Look at the word, say it, cover it, write it from memory, then check. It's how most schools teach spellings, and it works.
Use a spelling voice
Say tricky words the way they're written: Wed-nes-day, sep-a-rate, Feb-ru-ar-y. It makes the hidden letters easy to hear.
Little and often
Five words a day, brought back a few days later, beats twenty on a Sunday night. Spaced practice is what makes spellings stick.
Learn the rule, not just the word
One rule (like dropping the e before -ing) unlocks hundreds of words. The rule pages below explain each one simply.
Proofread together
When your child writes, ask them to find two spelling or punctuation slips themselves before you help. That's exactly the 11+ skill.
Spot punctuation in books
At bedtime, point out speech marks, apostrophes and semicolons and ask why they're there.
More free help
- Spelling rules explainedA short lesson with a video and worked examples.
- Capital letters and full stopsThe basics, explained step by step.
- Commas explainedLists, fronted adverbials and more.
- Apostrophes explainedShort forms and belonging, without the confusion.
- Speech marks explainedHow to punctuate what people say.
- Homophones explainedthere, their, they're and friends.
- 11+ vocabularyWord lists, meanings and a free vocabulary quiz.
- 11+ key words for parentsThe grammar terms used in lessons, in plain words.
Questions parents ask
- Which spellings does my child need for the 11+?
- There's no separate 11+ list, but the National Curriculum's statutory word lists for Years 3–4 and Years 5–6 are the best place to start: 11+ papers often misspell these words on purpose for children to spot. Our lists below add a memory tip to every word.
- How is punctuation tested in the 11+?
- Mostly with 'find the mistake' questions: a sentence in four parts, one of which has a missing capital letter, apostrophe, comma, speech mark or end mark. Children also need accurate punctuation in creative writing.
- What's the best way to learn spellings?
- Short daily practice that brings words back just before they're forgotten, plus understanding the rule behind a word. Look, say, cover, write, check is a reliable method for learning new words.
- Is it free?
- Every rule, the punctuation guide, both word lists and the Years 3–4 quiz are free for everyone. With a free account your child gets a daily spelling workout on the Years 3–4 words; Premium adds the Years 5–6 words, harder punctuation and longer workouts.