Year 4 is a useful point to check whether the foundations are secure before preparation becomes more exam-specific. This is not a list of everything a child must master immediately; it is a way to identify where teaching now could make later preparation calmer.

Maths foundations

Look for increasing confidence with multiplication and division facts, written arithmetic, fractions of amounts, time and money, multi-step word problems, explaining a method and checking work.

English foundations

Look for regular reading, accurate retrieval, simple inference, growing vocabulary, punctuation, paragraph control and the ability to explain an answer rather than give only one word.

Verbal reasoning foundations

Useful early skills include synonyms and antonyms, analogies, word relationships, simple letter/number codes, word formation and using context to understand unfamiliar vocabulary.

Non-verbal and spatial reasoning foundations

Look for the ability to identify changes in shape, position and shading, rotations, reflections, sequences, matrices and basic cube relationships.

Study habits matter too

A mixed profile is normal

A child may be strong in school Maths but unfamiliar with spatial reasoning. Another may read fluently but struggle to explain inference answers. That is exactly why a diagnostic is more useful than jumping straight into endless practice papers.

Want help deciding what to prioritise?

Bring the checklist and any completed diagnostic work to a Year 4 taster/assessment. We can help identify the two or three areas most worth teaching next. For a practical routine, use our Year 4 11+ weekly study plan, or read the full Year 4 11+ preparation guide.