The parent's guide to 11+ vocabulary
What examiners actually test, and how to prepare without tears.
Vocabulary is the single biggest differentiator in 11+ verbal reasoning and English papers. Unlike maths, it cannot be crammed in the final month — it is built through steady exposure. This guide explains what examiners actually test and how to prepare without tears.
What the 11+ actually tests
Across GL Assessment, CEM-style, Quest and independent school papers, vocabulary questions come in a handful of repeatable formats:
| Question type | What it looks like | Practise with |
|---|---|---|
| Synonyms | "Which word is closest in meaning to opulent?" | Synonym word list |
| Antonyms | "Which word is most opposite to diligent?" | Antonym word list |
| Cloze / missing words | Choose the word that best completes a sentence | Context-based practice |
| Word roots | Working out unfamiliar words from parts | Root words list |
| General knowledge English | Collective nouns, idioms, homophones | Collective nouns · Idioms |
How many words does a child need?
Successful 11+ candidates typically have a working vocabulary noticeably ahead of the Year 6 average. The good news: exam papers draw heavily on a core of a few hundred "power words" — the ambitious synonyms for everyday ideas (big, small, happy, sad, brave, dishonest…). Mastering those groups covers a remarkable share of real questions.
What works (and what doesn't)
Works: little and often. Ten minutes a day beats a two-hour Sunday session. Words in groups. Words met in games and stories, then reused aloud.
Doesn't work: alphabetical word lists copied out by hand, cramming in the last half-term, and testing without teaching (which only proves what a child doesn't know).
The role of games
Children repeat what feels rewarding. A vocabulary game with streaks, badges and quick wins gets voluntarily replayed — and repetition is precisely what moves words from "seen once" to "owned". That is the entire design philosophy behind Lexi's Vault: every game mode (synonym card battles, antonym attacks, root-word decoding, daily challenges) is a disguised repetition engine.
A realistic timeline
| When | Focus |
|---|---|
| Year 4 | Reading widely + playful word games. No pressure. |
| Year 5 (autumn–spring) | Systematic synonym groups, root words, daily 10-minute habit. |
| Year 5 (summer) | Antonyms, cloze, idioms; start timed mini-tests. |
| Year 6 (run-up) | Revision of personal "tricky words" — not new lists. |
See our companion guide: how to build a daily vocabulary routine that sticks.
Turn this list into a game.
Lexi's Vault teaches every one of these words through quick, addictive games — synonym card battles, root-word decoding, daily challenges and streaks. Built for 11+ prep, loved by kids.
Start your free 7-day trialNo card needed · Or try the free Card Game without signing up