Families with twins or close-aged siblings (one in Year 5, one in Year 6) face a specific set of 11+ challenges around comparison, dynamics and shared resources.
The short answer
The first principle: do not do practice papers together at the same kitchen table. The pace difference between two children is real, and one child will demoralise the other.
The longer answer
Stagger sessions. One child works in the morning, the other in the evening. This gives each their own focus space and avoids constant comparison.
Acknowledge the comparison openly with the children. "You're different children working at different paces; that's normal." Pretending there is no comparison while the children sense it intensifies the dynamic.
What experienced parents do
Avoid praising one child's scores in front of the other. Even neutral statements ("she got 45") become emotional ammunition between siblings.
What to avoid
For twins specifically, plan separate target schools where possible. Two siblings going to the same grammar can be lovely, but framing them as paired entries puts pressure on both.
Practical next step
After test day, separate the post-test conversation. Talk to each child about their experience individually. Joint debriefs almost always tilt toward the more confident child's narrative. A small, deliberate action this week is worth more than a grand plan for the year ahead.