11+ word problems are one of the biggest reasons students lose marks in grammar school exams. Even strong mathematicians struggle—not because they can’t do the maths, but because they misread, rush, or fail to break the question down properly. Most of these mistakes are easy to fix when students learn the right strategies. At Singapore Maths Academy, we teach bar modelling and structured reasoning to help children understand problems deeply instead of relying on guesswork or shortcuts.

Mistake 1: Not Understanding What the Question Is Really Asking

Many students rush to calculate before understanding what the problem is actually about. They read the numbers first and the question last, which leads to the wrong operation or incomplete steps.

Why this happens:
• Reading too quickly
• Anxiety when seeing long word problems
• Focusing on numbers instead of meaning

How to fix it:
Use the RERE method.
Read the question.
Extract key words such as total, difference, left, each, altogether.
Represent the information using a bar model.
Execute the correct calculation.
This encourages students to slow down and process meaning first.

Mistake 2: Mixing Up Operations in Multi-Step Problems

Many children choose the wrong operation simply because multiple steps confuse them. They add when they should subtract or multiply when they should divide.

Why this happens:
• Difficulty holding all details in working memory
• Not fully understanding the relationships
• Limited practice with layered problems

How to fix it:
Use bar modelling to show which amount is larger, smaller, split, or combined. A single visual often clears up the confusion immediately and guides students to the correct operations in the correct order.

Mistake 3: Missing Key Words or Important Details

Some of the biggest exam traps come from tiny details like “each”, “left over”, “share equally”, “no more than”, and “at least”. Missing just one small phrase can change the entire meaning of a question.

Why this happens:
Students skim because they want to start solving quickly.

How to fix it:
Underline key words before solving. This simple habit massively reduces mistakes and improves understanding.

Mistake 4: Over-Complicating the Problem

Some children create several unnecessary steps or equations because they think long answers look better. This often leads them away from the simplest method.

Why this happens:
• Overthinking
• Lack of confidence
• Not recognising the core relationship

How to fix it:
Use the “one bar, one relationship” rule. If the bar model is simple and accurate, the solution becomes clear. This helps students avoid adding extra steps that aren’t needed.

Mistake 5: Weak Number Fluency

Even children who understand the problem may take too long if they lack times table fluency or mental maths skills. Slow arithmetic makes multi-step questions stressful.

Why this happens:
• Relying on counting
• Limited fluency practice
• Pressure under exam conditions

How to fix it:
Use short daily practice sessions focusing on times tables, number bonds, mental multiplication patterns, and quick conversions between fractions, decimals and percentages. Fast number recall frees up mental space for reasoning.

How We Help Students Master 11+ Word Problems

At Singapore Maths Academy, we use proven Singapore bar modelling techniques, multi-step reasoning practice, and real exam-style questions to build strong, confident problem-solvers. Our Year 4 and Year 5 11+ programmes help students understand problems deeply instead of memorising methods. You can learn more about our online 11+ maths classes here: https://singaporemathsacademy.co.uk/

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are 11+ word problems so difficult?
Because they combine reading, logical thinking and maths all in one question, sometimes they also combine topics.

What is the best method for solving 11+ word problems?
Bar modelling is one of the most effective ways to understand relationships and make complex situations simple to visualise.

How can my child improve accuracy?
Encourage them to slow down, underline key words and break the problem into steps. Visualisation through Bar Modelling would also be an excellent way to confidently solve problems and avoid common mistakes.

How long does it take to see improvement?
Most students show improvement within a few weeks of structured practice.