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Ripon Grammar School test

Ripon Grammar School uses a GL Assessment test in September of Year 6 in the same shape as the Buckinghamshire test: a verbal skills paper (English, then verbal reasoning) and a paper of non-verbal reasoning then maths. All questions are multiple choice.

At a glance

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

The papers

StagePaperHow it is answeredPrism practice paper
Test dayPaper 1: Verbal SkillsMultiple choice45 questions, 45 minutes
Test dayPaper 2: Non-verbal & MathsMultiple choice45 questions, 45 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 Ripon

The Ripon Grammar School test covers maths, English, 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.

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.

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 Ripon

Try some Ripon style questions

Question 1Aim for about 60 seconds

Find the missing number that makes both sides equal.

92 + 308 = ? + 300

Show the worked answer

Answer: C, 100

How to work it out

  1. The left side is 92 + 308 = 400.
  2. So ? + 300 = 400, and ? = 400 − 300 = 100.
  3. A quicker way: 300 is 8 less than 308, so ? must be 8 more than 92.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A (400): This is the total of the left side. The right side already has 300 in it, so the missing number is smaller.
  • B (8): This is only the difference between 308 and 300.
  • D (84): The right side's number is 8 smaller, so the missing number must be 8 bigger, not smaller.
  • E (92): This assumes 308 and 300 are the same; they differ by 8.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds

Which part has a punctuation mistake? Choose “No mistake” if there is none.

Show the worked answer

Answer: A, perhaps the answer

How to work it out

A sentence always starts with a capital letter.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B (to the question): “to the question” carries on the sentence, so small letters and no mark are right here. The mistake is in another part.
  • C (is hidden somewhere): “is hidden somewhere” carries on the sentence, so small letters and no mark are right here. The mistake is in another part.
  • D (in the first sentence.): The full stop ends the sentence. The mistake is in another part.
  • E (No mistake): There is a mistake: A sentence always starts with a capital letter.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds

Which word can go after “foot” to make a new word?

Show the worked answer

Answer: B, ball

How to work it out

  1. foot + ball = football.
  2. Say each option after “foot” and check it makes a real word.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A (cake): “footcake” is not a real word, so “cake” cannot follow “foot”. “football” is.
  • C (ring): “footring” is not a real word, so “ring” cannot follow “foot”. “football” is.
  • D (ant): “footant” is not a real word, so “ant” cannot follow “foot”. “football” is.
  • E (case): “footcase” is not a real word, so “case” cannot follow “foot”. “football” is.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds

Which figure completes the grid?

?
Show the worked answer

Answer: D

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.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A: The heart is right, but unshaded shading does not appear in this grid. It should be black.
  • B: The shading is right (black), but the kite belongs to the top row. Down a column the shape changes to heart.
  • C: The heart is right, but the shading is cross-hatched, the left column's. Along a row it changes to black.
  • E: The shading is right (black), but a house does not appear in this grid. The bottom row has the heart.

Questions parents ask

What subjects are in the Ripon?

The Ripon tests maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.

When is the Ripon?

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 Ripon?

Build the core skills in Year 4 and 5, learn each question type, then practise timed papers in the Ripon 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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