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The Latymer School test

One sitting in September of Year 6: a maths and verbal reasoning paper set and scored by GL Assessment (multiple choice, machine read sheet), and a written English paper set by the school, marked only for the 700 highest scorers on maths and verbal reasoning. There is no non-verbal reasoning. From the September 2027 sitting (entry in 2028) the test moves to Quest Assessments: maths and English comprehension, multiple choice, plus a written English task.

At a glance

Subjects
Maths, English and verbal reasoning
Answers
Multiple choice and written answers
Usually held
September
Set by
GL Assessment
Schools
1

The papers

StagePaperHow it is answeredPrism practice paper
Test dayMaths & Verbal reasoningMultiple choice60 questions, 60 minutes
Test dayEnglish (written)Written answers12 questions, 50 minutes

Test setters rarely publish how many questions a paper has, so the question counts are the length of Prism’s practice papers; timings follow the setter’s published guidance where there is any. Arrangements change from year to year: always check them with the school or local authority.

How to prepare for the Latymer

The The Latymer School test covers maths, English and 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.

For English, read widely every day and practise comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar; selective tests reward precise word knowledge.

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.

Some answers are written, not chosen, so practise without options to fall back on: write the number or the words yourself, show the working where the paper asks for it, and check each answer against the question.

Schools that use the Latymer

Try some Latymer style questions

Question 1Aim for about 60 seconds

Dev says that 25% of 60 is 85. What mistake did Dev make?

Show the worked answer

Answer: C, Added the percentage to the amount

How to work it out

  1. 25% of 60 is 15.
  2. Dev's 85 is 60 + 25, which adds the percentage on.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A (Used the percentage as the answer): That slip would give 25, but Dev wrote 85.
  • B (Nothing: the answer is right): Dev's answer 85 is not 25% of 60, which is 15.
  • D (Found 10% and stopped there): That slip would give 6, but Dev wrote 85.
  • E (Found the amount left over, not the percentage): That slip would give 45, but Dev wrote 85.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds

Which word completes the sentence with the correct spelling?

We clapped to the _____ of the drum.

Show the worked answer

Answer: A, rhythm

How to work it out

  1. We clapped to the rhythm of the drum.
  2. Rhythm helps your two hips move: r-h-y-t-h-m.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B (rythm): A silent letter is dropped: “rhythm” keeps its “h” after “r”, even though you cannot hear it.
  • C (rhytm): The letter “h” is left out after “yt”: it is “rhythm”.
  • D (rhythem): An extra “e” has crept in; “rhythm” has no “e” after “th”.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds

Which word is closest in meaning to “frail”?

Show the worked answer

Answer: D, feeble

How to work it out

“feeble” has a similar meaning to “frail”.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A (polite): “polite” means “having good manners”, which is a different idea from “frail” (“weak and easily hurt or broken”).
  • B (tender): “tender” means “gentle and loving; or soft”, which is a different idea from “frail” (“weak and easily hurt or broken”).
  • C (whisper): “whisper” means “to speak very softly”, which is a different idea from “frail” (“weak and easily hurt or broken”).
  • E (nimble): “nimble” means “quick and light in movement”, which is a different idea from “frail” (“weak and easily hurt or broken”).

Questions parents ask

What subjects are in the Latymer?

The Latymer tests maths, English and verbal reasoning.

When is the Latymer?

The main test usually takes place in September of Year 6. Dates change each year, so always confirm them with the school or local authority.

How should my child prepare for the Latymer?

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

Find out where your child stands today

Practise straight away at your child’s school year in maths and English, with verbal and non-verbal reasoning for the 11 Plus, and every answer explained. A free check, whenever you like, shows what to practise next and builds a weekly plan, for their year or for your target schools. Parents follow progress free.

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