Year 4 vs Year 5: When to Start Preparing

It's never too early to build skills, but it can be too early for formal exam preparation. The distinction matters.

Year 4 is ideal for building the foundational skills that the selective test measures — reading fluency, mathematical reasoning, logical thinking, and writing ability. Year 5 is when those skills should be sharpened with exam-specific practice.

Starting formal "exam prep" too early (intensive tutoring, drilling practice papers) can lead to burnout and anxiety. Starting too late (mid-Year 5 or later) means insufficient time to build the depth of skills required. The sweet spot is a gradual ramp-up.

In Year 4, the goal is to build underlying skills without any exam pressure. Your child shouldn't even think about "the test" — instead, frame everything as enrichment and skill-building.

Reading (most important):

• Establish a daily reading habit of 30+ minutes
• Introduce chapter books, non-fiction, and varied genres
• Discuss what they read — ask questions about character motivations, main arguments, and author's purpose

Maths:

• Ensure Year 4 curriculum is solid — no gaps in understanding
• Begin introducing Year 5 concepts: fractions, basic algebra, area/perimeter
• Focus on mental arithmetic speed through games and challenges

Thinking Skills:

• Introduce puzzle books, Sudoku, logic games, tangrams, and spatial puzzles
• Play board games that require strategic thinking (chess, Mastermind, Blokus)
• Keep it fun — these should feel like games, not homework

Writing:

• Encourage creative writing and journaling
• Focus on building vocabulary through reading (not word lists)
• Practise structured paragraphs: topic sentence, supporting details, conclusion

Time commitment: 20–30 minutes per day, integrated naturally alongside schoolwork.

Year 5 is when preparation shifts from skill-building to exam simulation. Your child should now understand that they're preparing for a specific test.

Term 1 (Feb–April):

• Begin formal practice papers — one subject per session
• Identify weak areas through initial practice test results
• Start monthly mock exams to record a clear starting point

Term 2 (May–July):

• Increase intensity — targeted practice on weak areas
• Full timed practice tests monthly
• Begin practising writing under strict 30-minute time limits

Term 3 (Aug–Oct):

• Peak preparation intensity
• Weekly timed sections across all subjects
• Full mock exams twice per month
• Focus on exam strategy and time management

Term 4 (Nov–Dec):

• Application submitted (October–November)
• Continue steady practice but begin tapering intensity
• Focus on maintaining confidence and avoiding burnout

January–March (Year 6):

• Final preparation phase — weekly full mock exams
• Focus on confidence, exam-day strategy, and rest

Try it on SelectiveExams: sit the current monthly mock selective exam in Mathematical Reasoning, Reading and Thinking Skills, review every answer and see where your child ranks against students who completed that named exam.

See the current monthly exam.

Year 4 is for building skills through enrichment. Year 5 is for sharpening those skills through exam practice. Both matter, but consistency matters more than intensity. A child who reads daily, practises maths regularly, and does logic puzzles for fun will outperform a child who crams intensively for three months.