11 plus percentage problems practice
26 October 2026
11 plus percentage problems practice
Percentage questions are a regular feature in 11 plus maths exams. Children need to feel confident finding percentages of amounts, working out percentage increases or decreases, and solving real-life problems involving percentages.
What to expect
In the 11 plus, percentage problems often use money or quantities. Your child may be asked to find a percentage of a number, calculate a price after a percentage change, or work backwards to find the original amount.
Worked example
A jacket costs £60. In a sale, the price is reduced by 25%. What is the sale price?
Step 1: Find 25% of £60. 25% means 25 out of 100, or a quarter. £60 ÷ 4 = £15.
Step 2: Subtract the reduction from the original price. £60 - £15 = £45.
The sale price is £45.
Key insight: Encourage your child to break percentage problems into small steps. Checking each stage helps avoid simple mistakes and builds confidence.
Tips for practice
Try different types of percentage problems. For example, ask your child to find what percentage one number is of another, or to solve problems where the percentage is the unknown.
Supporting your child
Remind your child to look for simple ways to work out percentages. Using fractions like halves, quarters or tenths can make calculations quicker and less stressful.
