11+ Maths: Coordinates Reading Worksheet
26 October 2026
Reading coordinates for 11+ maths
Understanding how to read coordinates is an essential skill for the 11+ maths exam. Many questions require children to find or describe points on a grid, so building confidence here is important.
What are coordinates
Coordinates are pairs of numbers written as (x, y). The first number shows the position along the horizontal axis (x-axis). The second number shows the position along the vertical axis (y-axis).
How to read a coordinate point
To find a point like (3, 5) on a grid, always start with the x-value. Move along the horizontal axis to 3. Then, from this position, move up the vertical axis to 5.
Worked example
Find the point (3, 5) on a grid.
Step 1: Start at the origin (0, 0).
Step 2: Move 3 units to the right along the x-axis.
Step 3: From (3, 0), move 5 units up along the y-axis.
The point where you finish is (3, 5).
Key insight: Practising how to read coordinates helps children avoid common mistakes in 11+ exams and builds spatial awareness for more advanced maths topics.
