The Torbay grammar schools and the selective stream at The Spires College share one GL Assessment test in September of Year 6: an English paper and a maths paper of about 50 minutes each. There are no verbal or non-verbal reasoning papers. The schools do not say how answers are recorded; GL papers are usually multiple choice.
At a glance
Subjects
Maths and English
Answers
Multiple choice
Usually held
September
Set by
GL Assessment
Schools
4
The papers
Stage
Paper
How it is answered
Prism practice paper
Test day
English
Multiple choice
45 questions, 50 minutes
Test day
Maths
Multiple choice
50 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 Torbay
The Torbay 11+ (English and maths) covers maths and English. 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.
How many minutes does Bus 1 take to go from the Station to the Library?
Row
Bus 1
Bus 2
Bus 3
Bus 4
Station
08:10
08:45
09:18
09:46
Market
08:16
08:51
09:24
09:52
Library
08:30
09:05
09:38
10:06
Park
08:37
09:12
09:45
10:13
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, 20 minutes
How to work it out
Bus 1 leaves the Station at 08:10 and reaches the Library at 08:30.
Count on: 20 minutes.
Why the other options are wrong
A (14 minutes): This is only the last part of the journey.
B (30 minutes): Count on again from the departure time.
C (55 minutes): This reads the arrival time from the wrong bus.
D (6 minutes): This is only the first part of the journey.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
What does the word “affront” mean?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, an insult
How to work it out
“Affront” (noun) means an insult.
For example: Forgetting her name was an affront.
Why the other options are wrong
B (a minor illness): That is what “ailment” means, an unrelated word. “affront” means an insult.
C (faithfulness; accuracy): That is what “fidelity” means, an unrelated word. “affront” means an insult.
D (open refusal to obey): That is what “defiance” means, an unrelated word. “affront” means an insult.
Questions parents ask
What subjects are in the Torbay?
The Torbay tests maths and English.
When is the Torbay?
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 Torbay?
Build the core skills in Year 4 and 5, learn each question type, then practise timed papers in the Torbay 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.