11+ preparation, reimagined
The 11+ journey your child will actually look forward to.
BrightBuddy adapts to your child — a friendly buddy, an illustrated adventure map, and calm, confidence-building practice for Year 4 and Year 5.
See the questions we set. No account, nothing saved.
We're still finalising pricing — early access is free. Request an invite below.
How it works
- 1
Try a real question set
See exactly the kind of 11+ questions we set — no account, nothing saved. Takes about five minutes.
- 2
Request an invite
Like what you see? Ask for access and we'll set your family up with a 7-day free trial.
- 3
Practice, a bit each day
Your child works through an adaptive path at their own pace — a friendly buddy, an illustrated adventure map, and calm, confidence-building sessions.
Who it's for
Explorer — Year 4 (age 8–9)
Gentle first exposure to 11+-style thinking. No timers, no scores, no exam framing — just steady practice and a growing sense of "I can do this."
Achiever — Year 5 (age 9–10)
Structured, GL-aligned preparation: soft timers, full mock papers, and a school-by-school readiness picture for parents.
Simple plans for every stage
Explorer (Year 4)
Coming soon
What's included
Full Explorer mode, buddy, adventure map, parent signals
Start freeAchiever (Year 5)
Coming soon
What's included
Full Achiever, school-specific plan, mocks, analytics
Start freeFull Journey Bundle
Coming soon
What's included
Explorer + Achiever, seamless transition, priority support
Start freeFree Trial
7 days
What's included
Full access to either mode
Start free
Free 11+ guides
What Is the 11+? A Parent's Guide
What the 11+ actually tests, who sits it, how it differs from other selective exams, and what a first-time parent needs to know before you start.
When Should You Start 11+ Preparation?
A realistic, year-by-year timeline for 11+ preparation — from Year 3 groundwork to the exam itself — and the case against starting too early.
GL, CEM and ISEB: What's the Difference?
The three main 11+ exam formats explained side by side — question style, timing, and how to check which one your target schools actually use.
Preparing for the 11+ Without the Stress
Practical ways to keep 11+ preparation calm and confidence-building — for your child and for you — without giving up on rigour.
Questions parents ask
What is BrightBuddy?
BrightBuddy is an adaptive 11+ preparation app for Year 4 and Year 5 children in the UK. It adjusts to how your child is doing and pairs practice with a friendly on-screen buddy, rather than feeling like a timed test every session.
Can I try it before requesting an invite?
Yes — /try lets anyone work through a real set of questions with no account and nothing saved. It's the same level of question your child would see inside BrightBuddy.
What ages and year groups does BrightBuddy cover?
Year 4 (Explorer, age 8–9) and Year 5 (Achiever, age 9–10) — the two years families typically spend preparing for UK 11+ entry.
Does BrightBuddy cover GL, CEM or ISEB-style questions?
The question bank is GL-aligned, which is the format most UK grammar schools use for 11+ entry (independent schools more often use the ISEB Common Pre-Test or their own paper). Check your target school's own admissions page to confirm which board it uses — see our GL vs CEM vs ISEB guide.
What subjects are covered?
Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning — the four areas most 11+ papers test.
How is BrightBuddy different from a tutor?
It's daily, low-pressure practice your child can do independently — not a replacement for a tutor if your child needs one-to-one teaching, but a way to build the everyday reps that make tutoring (or self-directed prep) go further.
How much does it cost?
We're still finalising pricing — see the plans below for what each tier includes. While we're in early access there's no charge: request an invite and try the full product for free.
Is my child's data safe?
BrightBuddy collects as little as possible — no surname, no photo, no location — and you stay in control from the grown-ups area. See our privacy note for the full picture.
Can I sign up right now?
BrightBuddy is currently invite-only while we work directly with early families. Try the free question set at /try, then request an invite — we'll get back to you.
When should I start 11+ preparation?
Most families start meaningful practice in Year 4 or early Year 5, but the right time depends on your child and your target schools' timelines. See our guide on when to start.