St Olave’s tests in two stages. Stage 1, in September of Year 6, is one hour of multiple choice English, maths and logic (verbal and non-verbal reasoning) on an answer sheet. Those invited back sit Stage 2 in November: an English paper and a maths paper of an hour each, with written answers.
At a glance
Subjects
Maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning
Answers
Multiple choice and written answers
Usually held
September
Set by
The schools themselves
Schools
1
The papers
Stage
Paper
How it is answered
Prism practice paper
Stage 1
English, maths & reasoning
Multiple choice
60 questions, 60 minutes
Stage 2
English (written)
Written answers
12 questions, 60 minutes
Stage 2
Maths (written)
Written answers
25 questions, 60 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 St Olave’s
The St Olave’s 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.
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.
Which whole number is closest to the square root of 63?
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, 8
How to work it out
7² = 49 and 8² = 64, so the square root of 63 lies between 7 and 8, nearer 8 because 63 is nearer 64.
Why the other options are wrong
A (16): This is a quarter of 63, rounded to a whole number. Quartering is not finding a square root.
B (32): This is half of 63, rounded to a whole number. Halving is not finding a square root.
C (7): 7² = 49, which is further from 63 than 8² = 64.
D (64): 64 is the square, not the root.
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, the weight of the
How to work it out
A sentence always starts with a capital letter.
Why the other options are wrong
B (heavy suitcase): “heavy suitcase” carries on the sentence, so small letters and no mark are right here. The mistake is in another part.
C (made Chloe’s arms): The apostrophe in “Chloe’s” shows who owns something and “Chloe” keeps its capital letter. The mistake is in another part.
D (ache terribly.): 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 of these words can NOT be made from ROLE by changing just one letter?
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, HOLD
How to work it out
HOLD differs from ROLE in two letters (the first and fourth), so it needs two changes.
Each of the others is one letter away from ROLE.
Why the other options are wrong
A (ROPE): ROPE comes from ROLE by changing the third letter, L, to P.
C (ROSE): ROSE comes from ROLE by changing the third letter, L, to S.
D (RODE): RODE comes from ROLE by changing the third letter, L, to D.
E (HOLE): HOLE comes from ROLE by changing the first letter, R, to H.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds
All the figures in this group follow the same two rules. Which statement CANNOT be true of a figure that could join it?
The group
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, It has an odd number of sides
How to work it out
The rules: every figure is cross-hatched, and every figure has an even number of sides (square 4, trapezium 4, hexagon 6, octagon 8).
So a figure with an odd number of sides cannot join.
Why the other options are wrong
A (It is a kite): A kite has an even number of sides, so a cross-hatched kite could join.
B (It is cross-hatched): Every member is cross-hatched, so this must be true of a figure that joins; the question asks what cannot be true.
C (It has 4 sides): 4 is an even number, so a cross-hatched figure with 4 sides could join.
E (It is a trapezium): A trapezium is already in the group, so another one could join.
Questions parents ask
What subjects are in the St Olave’s?
The St Olave’s tests maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
When is the St Olave’s?
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 St Olave’s?
Build the core skills in Year 4 and 5, learn each question type, then practise timed papers in the St Olave’s 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.