Preparing for the 7+ at home: a parent's weekly plan
How to prepare your child for the 7+ at home, with or without a tutor: a simple weekly routine, what to cover and how to keep it calm for a Year 2 child.
The Pebble Prep team · Updated · 3 min read
Quick answer
You can prepare well for the 7+ at home with a clear weekly plan: daily reading, a few short number sessions, one practice paper or section in your school's style, and a little reasoning practice if your schools test it. Answers and simple notes let you guide your child without being a teacher, on your own or alongside a tutor.
Key points
- A weekly plan matters more than the amount of practice.
- Daily reading supports every part of the 7+.
- One practice paper or section a week, marked together, is enough.
- Answers and notes mean you do not need to be a teacher.
- Home practice works on its own or alongside a tutor.
In this guide
Can you prepare for the 7+ at home?
Yes. Many families prepare at home, some on their own and some alongside a tutor. What makes the difference is a clear plan: knowing what to do this week, why, and how it builds towards the exam date.
A simple weekly routine
| Day | Session (15–20 minutes) |
|---|---|
| Every day | Read together. Ask a question or two about the story. |
| Two days a week | Number work: counting, adding and subtracting, times tables, money and time. |
| One day a week | One practice paper or section in your school's style, then mark it together. |
| One or two days a week | A few reasoning questions, if your schools include reasoning. |
| One day off | Rest. Children learn better when practice stays fresh. |
What to cover
- Reading: short passages and questions about what happens and why.
- Writing: a few sentences or a short story, with capital letters and full stops.
- Spelling and grammar: common words, word endings and simple punctuation.
- Maths: number, calculation, shape, measures, time and money.
- Reasoning: patterns, sequences and word puzzles, if your schools test it.
Our guide to what the 7+ exam is explains each area in more detail.
You don't need to be a teacher
Parents often worry they will explain things the wrong way. You do not need teaching training to help: full answers tell you what is right, and short notes on what to look for help you spot whether a mistake is a slip or a gap. Your job is to keep things calm, consistent and encouraging.
Working alongside a tutor
If your child has a tutor, home practice fills the days in between. Practising in the same paper style keeps everything joined up, and your notes on what went well and what was tricky give the tutor useful information.
Keeping it calm
- Praise effort and good thinking, not just correct answers.
- Avoid comparing your child with friends or siblings.
- Keep the stakes low: call it practice, not tests.
- Talk about the assessment as a chance to show what they can do.
Ready to plan the weeks? See when to start preparing for the 7+ and how to use practice papers.
Questions parents ask
Does my child need a tutor for the 7+ exam?
Not necessarily. A clear weekly plan with answers and parent notes lets you guide your child yourself. Home practice also works well alongside a tutor.
How long should a 7+ practice session be for a Year 2 child?
Around 15 to 20 minutes is plenty for most Year 2 children. Several short sessions a week work better than one long one.
What can I do if my child doesn't want to practise for the 7+?
Keep sessions short and low-key, stop while it is still fun, and mix in games. A rest day helps too.
A calm 7+ plan, paced to your exam date
A week-by-week plan, practice papers in your school's style and short reasoning practice. From £179.10 per child.
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