11+ Maths
Finding factors, multiples and prime numbers — foundational number facts for the 11+.
Factors and Primes appears in 91 of our 571 ready papers (141 tagged questions). It averages 1.5 questions a paper worth about 1.94 marks each. The typical question allows around 46 sec. It appears in 3 CSSE papers we hold.
Factors and primes appear as quick number questions and as building blocks for fractions and sequences. Papers ask for factor pairs, common factors, multiples, and whether a number is prime. Children who list factors randomly miss pairs; children who think 1 is prime (or that all odd numbers are prime) lose easy marks. Teach systematic listing from 1 up to the square root, and memorise primes to at least 20. Link this practice to fraction simplification so the skill pays off elsewhere in the paper. Under time pressure, write factor pairs opposite each other so you can see immediately if a pair is missing before moving on. Under timed 11+ conditions, children who pause to name the method before they calculate — and who check the form of the final answer — keep more marks than those who rush the first approach that comes to mind. Build that habit with short, mixed sets from real papers rather than endless textbook drills of one type.
A real tagged question from our catalogue — method included, not paywalled.
Ranked from our tagged catalogue — open a paper to practise the questions that actually test this topic.
Not sure whether factors and primes is the problem? Mark any past paper on 11plusSolved and the report tells you which topics are costing marks — and how many.
