Every question here is written by Prism in the style of the tests. None is copied from a real paper, and a fresh one is drawn each time a child practises.
From foundation to exam standard
Two questions at each level. Tap an option to check it.
Foundation where a child in Year 3 or 4 starts
Question 1Aim for about 60 seconds
How many sides do 5 triangles have altogether?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, 15
How to work it out
A triangle has 3 sides, so 5 of them have 5 × 3 = 15.
Why the other options are wrong
A (10): This uses 2 sides for each triangle; it has 3.
B (14): This is 1 less than the correct answer, so the last step of the working is out by one.
D (20): This uses 4 sides for each triangle; it has 3.
E (8): This adds 5 + 3; the sides of 5 shapes need 5 × 3.
Question 2Aim for about 60 seconds
A rectangle is 12 cm long and 3 cm wide. What is its perimeter?
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, 30 cm
How to work it out
Perimeter is the distance all the way round: 12 + 3 + 12 + 3 = 30 cm.
Why the other options are wrong
A (36 cm): This is the area, 12 × 3. Perimeter is the distance all the way round.
C (27 cm): This has two lengths but only one width; one width of 3 cm is missing.
D (15 cm): This is one length plus one width; the perimeter has two of each.
E (29 cm): This is 1 cm less than the correct answer, so the last step of the working is out by one.
Standard the 11 Plus standard, Year 5
Question 3Aim for about 60 seconds
A, B and C are three corners of a rectangle. What are the coordinates of the fourth corner, D?
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, (3, 7)
How to work it out
D is above A and level with C.
So it has A's x-coordinate (3) and C's y-coordinate (7): (3, 7).
Why the other options are wrong
A ((5, 11)): This carries on past C instead of finding the missing corner.
B ((7, 3)): The numbers are the wrong way round: x comes first.
C ((3, 5)): This uses the width for the height; the sides of a rectangle can differ.
D ((7, 7)): Check which corner is missing: it must be above A.
Question 4Aim for about 60 seconds
A regular pentagon has a perimeter of 65 cm. How long is each side?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, 13 cm
How to work it out
A regular pentagon has 5 equal sides: 65 ÷ 5 = 13 cm.
Why the other options are wrong
A (14 cm): This is one more than 65 ÷ 5.
B (16 cm): This divides by 4, as for a square, but a regular pentagon has 5 sides.
C (26 cm): This is double the side length; divide 65 by the 5 sides.
E (7 cm): This is half the correct answer, 13 cm. Check whether you halved when you should not have.
Exam standard what the papers ask in Year 6
Question 5Aim for about 60 seconds
An L-shape is made by cutting a 4 cm × 3 cm rectangle from the corner of a 10 cm × 11 cm rectangle. What is the area of the L-shape?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, 98 cm²
How to work it out
Whole rectangle: 10 × 11 = 110 cm².
Cut-out: 4 × 3 = 12 cm².
Take it away: 110 − 12 = 98 cm².
Why the other options are wrong
A (42 cm²): This is the perimeter of the large rectangle, not the area of the L-shape.
B (49 cm²): This is half the correct answer, 98 cm². Check whether you halved when you should not have.
C (110 cm²): This is the whole large rectangle; the cut-out has not been taken away.
E (122 cm²): This adds the cut-out (12 cm²) instead of taking it away.
Question 6Aim for about 60 seconds
What are the coordinates of point D?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, (5, −4)
How to work it out
Go along the x-axis first, then up or down the y-axis ("along the corridor, then up the stairs").
D is 5 along and −4 down: (5, −4).
Why the other options are wrong
A ((−5, −4)): The sign of the x-coordinate is wrong: left of the y-axis is negative.
B ((−4, 5)): The numbers are the wrong way round: the x-coordinate (along) always comes first.
C ((5, −5)): One square out going up: count from zero.
E ((6, −4)): One square too far along: count from zero.
Prism starts with a free assessment across maths, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, then builds a weekly plan for your target schools. Parents follow progress free.