Daily short maths word problem practice for 11 plus: Spiegel
1 November 2026
Daily word problem practice
Building confidence with regular, bite-sized word problems helps children prepare for the 11 plus. A short daily exercise makes maths less daunting and more manageable.
Why step-by-step reasoning matters
Breaking each word problem into clear steps helps your child understand what the question is asking, decide which operation to use, and spot common mistakes.
Worked example
A bag contains 24 sweets. Alice eats 5, and Ben eats 7. How many sweets are left?
Step 1: Start with the total number of sweets: 24.
Step 2: Subtract the number Alice eats: 24 - 5 = 19.
Step 3: Subtract the number Ben eats: 19 - 7 = 12.
There are 12 sweets left in the bag.
Key insight: Encourage your child to write down each step. This reduces careless errors and helps them check their work.
Making it a habit
Try to set aside a few minutes each day for a short word problem. Over time, your child will become more confident in tackling unfamiliar questions.
