Newstead Wood School tests in one round in late September of Year 6: a verbal reasoning paper and a non-verbal reasoning paper, both multiple choice on a separate answer sheet. No other subjects are tested.
At a glance
Subjects
Verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning
Answers
Multiple choice
Usually held
September
Set by
The schools themselves
Schools
1
The papers
Stage
Paper
How it is answered
Prism practice paper
Test day
Verbal reasoning
Multiple choice
50 questions, 45 minutes
Test day
Non-verbal reasoning
Multiple choice
45 questions, 40 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 Newstead Wood
The Newstead Wood School test covers 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.
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.
A (parade): “vanish” and “disappear” mean the same. “parade” is a different kind of word and is not linked to either.
C (hollow): “vanish” and “disappear” mean the same. “hollow” is a different kind of word and is not linked to either.
D (bright): “vanish” and “disappear” mean the same. “bright” is a different kind of word and is not linked to either.
E (table): “vanish” and “disappear” mean the same. “table” is a different kind of word and is not linked to either.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
A figure turns 90° clockwise, then shrinks, and became the figure shown. Which figure was it before?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A
How to work it out
Undo the change in reverse order: undo "shrinks", then undo "turns 90° clockwise".
Why the other options are wrong
B: This is the original turned a quarter turn too far.
C: This applies the change again instead of undoing it.
D: This is the mirror image of the original.
E: This is the figure after the change, not before it.
Questions parents ask
What subjects are in the Newstead Wood?
The Newstead Wood tests verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
When is the Newstead Wood?
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 Newstead Wood?
Build the core skills in Year 4 and 5, learn each question type, then practise timed papers in the Newstead Wood 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.