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 35 seconds
The steps change. Which letter comes next?
C E H L Q ?
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, W
How to work it out
The gaps are 2, 3, 4, 5: each step is one bigger than the last, so the next step is 6 and the next letter W.
Why the other options are wrong
A (S): This uses the first step (2) again; the steps grow.
B (V): This repeats the last step (5); the steps grow by one each time, so the next step is 6.
C (X): One too far: the next step is 6.
D (Y): Two too far: the next step is 6.
Question 2Aim for about 35 seconds
Two series take turns. Which letter comes next?
E Z G Y I X ?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, K
How to work it out
Look at every other letter.
E, G, I move forward 2; Z, Y, X move back 1.
The next belongs to the first series: K.
Why the other options are wrong
B (L): One too far: the forward series moves 2 each time.
C (J): One short: the forward series moves 2 each time.
D (I): This repeats the last letter of the forward series instead of moving on.
E (W): This continues the other series, the one that goes backwards; the next letter belongs to the forward series.
Standard the 11 Plus standard, Year 5
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Find the next pair of letters in the series.
JI LL NO PR ?
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, RU
How to work it out
Follow each letter on its own.
The first letters move forward 2 each time; the second letters move forward 3.
So the next pair is RU.
Tip: write the alphabet with numbers above it.
Why the other options are wrong
A (RV): The second letter V is one place later in the alphabet than the U that its own series reaches.
C (UR): The right two letters but swapped. The first letters make their own series and the second letters make theirs.
D (SU): The first letter S is one place later in the alphabet than the R that its own series reaches.
E (TX): Goes on one step too far, to the pair after RU. The next pair is the one straight after PR.
Question 4Aim for about 35 seconds
The first pair of letters changes into the second in a certain way. Which pair completes the second set in the same way?
QR is to ST as NO is to ?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, PQ
How to work it out
From QR to ST, the first letter moves forward 2 and the second letter moves forward 2.
Do the same to NO: PQ.
Why the other options are wrong
A (LM): Both letters have moved the wrong way. They should move forward 2 and forward 2.
B (OQ): The second letter is right, but N has moved forward 1. The first letter should move forward 2.
C (PR): The first letter is right, but O has moved forward 3. The second letter should move forward 2.
E (QP): This is the right pair, PQ, with its two letters swapped round. The first letter moves forward 2 and the second moves forward 2, in that order.
Exam standard what the papers ask in Year 6
Question 5Aim for about 35 seconds
The steps change. Which letter comes next?
B C E H L ?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, Q
How to work it out
The gaps are 1, 2, 3, 4: each step is one bigger than the last, so the next step is 5 and the next letter Q.
Why the other options are wrong
A (M): This uses the first step (1) again; the steps grow.
B (P): This repeats the last step (4); the steps grow by one each time, so the next step is 5.
C (R): One too far: the next step is 5.
E (S): Two too far: the next step is 5.
Question 6Aim for about 35 seconds
Which rule explains this series?
E G I K M
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, Each letter is 2 places after the one before
How to work it out
Count the places between each letter and the next: always 2.
So the rule is: each letter is 2 places after the one before.
Why the other options are wrong
A (The letters go backwards through the alphabet): E to G moves forward, not back.
B (The steps grow by one each time): The steps are all 2; they do not grow.
C (Every other letter is a vowel): The vowels do not fall every other letter.
E (Each letter is 3 places after the one before): From E to G is 2 places, not 3.
The kinds of question in this topic
Each kind asks something different of a child, even when the numbers or shapes look alike.
Letter series with a twist
Interlocking letters, growing steps, pairs that alternate, or a series with an error.
Standard
Question 7Aim for about 35 seconds
The steps change. Which letter comes next?
E F H K O ?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, T
How to work it out
The gaps are 1, 2, 3, 4: each step is one bigger than the last, so the next step is 5 and the next letter T.
Why the other options are wrong
A (U): One too far: the next step is 5.
B (V): Two too far: the next step is 5.
C (P): This uses the first step (1) again; the steps grow.
E (S): This repeats the last step (4); the steps grow by one each time, so the next step is 5.
The letter that connects
One letter ends the first word and starts the second.
Standard
Question 8Aim for about 35 seconds
The first pair of letters changes into the second in a certain way. Which pair completes the second set in the same way?
RU is to PS as OR is to ?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, MP
How to work it out
From RU to PS, the first letter moves back 2 and the second letter moves back 2.
Do the same to OR: MP.
Why the other options are wrong
A (MQ): The first letter is right, but R has moved back 1. The second letter should move back 2.
B (LP): The second letter is right, but O has moved back 3. The first letter should move back 2.
C (QT): Both letters have moved the wrong way. They should move back 2 and back 2.
E (PM): This is the right pair, MP, with its two letters swapped round. The first letter moves back 2 and the second moves back 2, in that order.
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.