Buyer Beware – The Rise of Poor-Quality 11+ AI Apps

‘You don’t know what you don’t know’

That phrase keeps coming back to me – especially after I was recently asked to test a new 11+ creative writing app.
It was, quite honestly, dreadful. The writing was generic, the content was clearly pulled from an AI model, and it was riddled with SPaG errors, Americanisms and tone issues. It wasn’t just weak – it was actively misleading for any parent hoping to help their child prepare for the 11+. The creator lacked the subject knowledge needed to build the app, and it hadn’t been professionally edited – perhaps because good editing is expensive.
And unfortunately, it’s not a one-off. These sorts of apps are popping up everywhere. I’ve tested a few over the last two years. For clarity – I don’t have an app, and I’m not affiliated with anyone who does.

Not All 11+ AI Content Is Created Equally

AI absolutely has its place – I use it to save time – but only with a strong understanding of what good content should look like. Even so, if I were to build an app, a course or write a book (I’ve written fourteen), I would still hire a professional editor.
I’ve used Grammarly (Pro version) for years, and while incredibly helpful, it isn’t nuanced – I often spot its inaccuracies. There’s a vast difference between using AI as a tool and letting AI generate educational content without oversight.
Think of it like this: if AI gave me medical advice, I wouldn’t always know if it were right. AI draws from the internet or its trainer – a combination of excellent and possibly poor sources – and provides a best guess. Without deep subject knowledge, it’s hard to judge the quality of what it returns.
Most AI models don’t understand the unique demands of the 11+. They don’t ‘know’ what makes a strong one-page story. They don’t grasp what the mark schemes reward or how to develop a vocabulary journey over time. And in many cases, neither do the people building these tools. I’m not an exam marker, but years of experience have taught me what ‘good’ looks like.
Producing effective content for the 11+ – especially creative writing – requires more than just coding ability. It requires educational insight, in-depth subject knowledge and a nuanced understanding of how the exam has evolved over time.

Why You Should Be Cautious About 11+ AI Apps

The problem isn’t just that some of the writing is weak – it’s that it’s hard for parents to spot.
To the untrained eye, a sample might seem polished and helpful. However, if the sentences are flat, the tone is off, or the content is packed with telling rather than showing, and there are SPaG errors, your child may be absorbing poor models. Grammar, style and structure matter – and AI doesn’t always get those right. (I’ve seen an explosion of em dashes used incorrectly in AI-generated writing – and it shows.)

Poor content in = poor AI content out.

Look Past the Hype of 11+ AI Apps

There’s a growing trend of people creating 11+ apps without a clear grasp of the exam itself or the subject knowledge it demands.
It’s worth taking a step back and asking: who’s actually behind this?
That’s not a criticism – just a caution. Many parents and children don’t know what to look for in quality writing content, so it’s easy to be misled.

What Should You Use Instead of 11+ AI Apps

If you’re looking for writing support, ask a few key questions:
• Who created this content – and what’s their background in this 11+ subject?
• Has it been reviewed by an actual educator – and ideally, a professional editor?
• Does it model strong vocabulary, sentence structure and grammar?
• Can I see examples that genuinely reflect the one-page story task?
The 11+ is a specialist area. Choose resources from people who understand it deeply. If AI is used in the process, make sure a human editor has refined the end result. We all know where AI falls short – and content generated from poorly trained models tends to repeat those flaws.
And remember – these tests are handwritten. Children need to practise writing with a pen, not just typing into a screen. They also need to learn how to edit their work at home, by hand – crossing out, rephrasing and improving under time pressure. That’s what the real task demands.

Final Thought – Buyer Beware

Just because something is labelled ‘11+’ doesn’t mean it’s fit for purpose. I’ve reviewed many courses and apps that lacked professional editing – and the difference is obvious.
Editors edit every day. That’s their craft. While teachers, tutors, authors and developers bring different strengths, most aren’t professional editors – and that shows in the final product. We often get what we pay for. That doesn’t mean good content must be expensive – but it should be carefully built and thoughtfully reviewed.
There’s no regulation on the quality of educational content. So if a tool or app seems unusually cheap, or you’re not sure who created the material, take a closer look. Ask questions. Review samples. Ensure it genuinely helps, not confuses.
Because when it comes to your child’s learning, you don’t know what you don’t know – until it’s too late.

How We Can Help

If your child is preparing for the 11+, our Cadwaladr Chronicles and Cadwaladr Quests Vocabulary Reading Books are designed to support vocabulary, comprehension, and grammar through engaging stories. Each book includes footnotes, SPaG explanations and literary guidance woven naturally into the narrative – helping your child build key skills without relying on worksheets or drills.
They’re a gentle but powerful way to support 11+ preparation, one story at a time.
Explore the full range at
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Or feel free to contact us if you’d like to know more.