The note
How schools teach it now
Schools don't teach this, but it uses alphabet order. The 11+ strategy: write A to Z with 1 to 26 underneath, count how far each letter moves, then move the new letters the same way. Some use mirror letters (A with Z, B with Y).
5-minute kitchen-table activity
Lay out fridge magnets A to Z. Pick two neighbouring letters, like CD, then hop each one three places forward together (FG). Let your child make up the hop and you follow it, then swap. Try a backwards hop too.
Worked example
CD is to FG as KL is to ?
- C (3) to F (6) is +3, and D (4) to G (7) is +3.
- K (11) + 3 = N (14); L (12) + 3 = O (15).
Answer: NO
Common mistakes to watch for
- Checking only the first letter of the pair.
- Miscounting by including the starting letter in the count.
- Missing a mirror pattern (A with Z, B with Y).
Encouragement
- Try saying
- “Count each jump on the alphabet line. Careful counting wins.”
- Rather than
- “Just do it in your head, it's quicker.”