Word problems are where strong calculators suddenly look slow. The maths may be Year 5. The translation from English to a method is the real exam skill — and it burns minutes.
Why time disappears
- Re-reading the whole stem instead of extracting the question
- Starting a long method before knowing what is asked
- Drawing everything when a simpler model would do
- Getting stuck mid-way with no triage exit plan
A fast translation habit
- Underline what is asked (the actual target).
- List the numbers and units.
- Name the operation family (fraction of amount, difference, rate, etc.).
- Estimate roughly before calculating.
- If still stuck after a soft time limit, star and move.
Children who skip step 1 often solve a neighbouring question beautifully — and still score zero.
Practice that transfers to papers
- Short mixed sets of worded questions under a timer
- One “explain the ask in your own words” line before calculating
- Review whether lost marks were translation, method, or arithmetic
Frequently asked questions
My child is fine on bare sums. Is that enough?
Not for most 11+ papers. Bare sums prove calculation. Word problems prove they can choose the right calculation under time pressure.
Should we ban calculators?
Follow the paper rules. Most primary 11+ maths papers expect written methods without a calculator unless stated.