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Slough Consortium Test

Slough grammar schools share a GL test covering verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and maths.

At a glance

Subjects
Maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning
Usually held
September
Set by
GL Assessment
Schools
4

The papers

StagePaperQuestionsTime
Consortium TestPaper 15050 minutes
Consortium TestPaper 2: Maths5050 minutes

Paper formats are indicative and change from year to year. Always check the current arrangements with the school or local authority.

How to prepare for the Slough

The Slough Consortium Test covers maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Most families start steady preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5, building accuracy first and speed later, then sit timed papers through the summer before the test, which usually takes place in September.

For maths, secure the Key Stage 2 arithmetic, fractions, ratio and problem solving before moving to the multi-step questions that separate the strongest candidates.

Verbal reasoning is a set of learnable question types, such as letter codes, hidden words and word analogies. Learning each type, then practising it against the clock, lifts scores quickly.

Non-verbal reasoning is about spotting patterns in shapes: rotations, reflections, sequences and matrices. Short, regular sessions work better than long ones.

Schools that use the Slough

Try some Slough style questions

Question 1Aim for about 60 seconds

Work out:

510 − 15

Show the worked answer

Answer: D, 310

How to work it out

  1. Make the bottom numbers the same.
  2. 5 × 2 = 10, so 15 = 210.
  3. Then 510 − 210 = 310.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A (710): This adds the fractions instead of subtracting.
  • B (45): This subtracts the bottom numbers too. Only the top numbers are subtracted, once the bottoms match.
  • C (450): This multiplies the bottom numbers without changing the tops to match.
  • E (410): This takes away 1 twelfths-style parts without changing 15 to match the bottom number 10.
Question 2Aim for about 35 seconds

Complete the analogy.

brush is to paint as needle is to ?

Show the worked answer

Answer: C, sew

How to work it out

  1. Say the link between “brush” and “paint” as a sentence.
  2. The same sentence links “needle” and “sew”.
Question 3Aim for about 45 seconds

Which figure completes the grid?

?
Show the worked answer

Answer: E

How to work it out

  1. Across each row the shading changes in the same way; down each column the shape changes.
  2. The missing figure needs the bottom row’s shape and the right column’s shading.

Questions parents ask

What subjects are in the Slough?

The Slough tests maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.

When is the Slough?

The main test usually takes place in September. Dates change each year, so always confirm them with the school or local authority.

How should my child prepare for the Slough?

Build the core skills in Year 4 and 5, learn each question type, then practise timed papers in the Slough format. Prism builds this plan automatically from a free starting assessment.

Find out where your child stands today

Prism starts with a free assessment across maths, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, then builds a weekly plan for your target schools. Parents follow progress free.

Start the free assessment