11+ Exam Spelling List
- Suratna Solutions
- Oct 27, 2025
- 2 min read
Is spelling letting your child down? This 11+ exam spelling list is your child’s secret weapon for top marks. It includes tricky, high-frequency words that often appear in comprehension, writing, and reasoning sections. Mastering these spellings can significantly boost exam confidence and accuracy.
Table of Contents
Why the 11+ Exam Spelling List Matters
Strong spelling skills are the foundation of success in the 11plus exam. They directly influence marks in English comprehension, creative writing, and vocabulary questions. Examiners often deduct points for avoidable spelling errors, even when content is strong. By learning and revising with a targeted spelling list, students can write with clarity and confidence.
11plus Exam Spelling List: Core Word Groups
This 11+ exam spelling list is organised into four important categories that reflect what examiners test most frequently.
1. Commonly Confused Words: their / there / they’re, affect / effect, accept / except, principle / principal
2. Silent Letter Words: acknowledge, island, doubt, pneumonia, subtle, knowledge, knife
3. Prefixes and Suffixes: un-, re-, mis-, -able, -ible, -tion, -sionExamples: unbelievable, irresistible, revision, completion
4. Irregular Plurals and Past Tenses: children, mice, geese, went, written, bought, brought
Tip: Use daily dictation drills and quick-fire spelling quizzes to reinforce learning. Pair this with our 11plus vocabulary list for complete language mastery.
How to Practise Effectively
To make spelling practice engaging and productive:
Create flashcards for difficult words and test them weekly.
Dictate short paragraphs that include challenging spellings.
Review spelling errors after every mock test.
Encourage sentence use to strengthen contextual understanding.
Consistent 10-minute sessions are more effective than long, irregular study periods.
Why This 11+ Spelling List Works
Research shows that students who practise targeted spelling lists improve written accuracy by over 15%. Focused repetition helps memory retention and reduces careless errors in exam conditions.
Downloadable pdf with 200 spelling list
Next Steps and Further Resources
Once your child has mastered this 11+ exam spelling list, explore these helpful guides:
11+ Exam Vocabulary List – build a powerful word bank
11+ Exam How Many Questions Guide – understand paper structures and time limits
11+ Exam London Overview – get insights into borough-specific exam formats
