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
In a secret number system, 3 is written +++; 6 is written =+. What number is ==++++?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, 14
How to work it out
From the examples, = is 5, + is 1. ==++++ is 2 × 5 + 4 × 1 = 14.
Why the other options are wrong
A (6): 6 is the number of symbols, but they are not all worth 1.
B (22): 22 swaps what = and + are worth; check them against the examples.
C (15): Count the + symbols again: 15 has one + too many.
E (13): Count the + symbols again: 13 has one + too few.
Question 2Aim for about 35 seconds
Which calculation uses three of the numbers to make 7?
Numbers: 2, 3, 6, 7, 12
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, (6 + 3) − 2
How to work it out
(6 + 3) − 2: the brackets first, then the last step, gives 7.
Why the other options are wrong
A ((6 + 7) − 12): (6 + 7) − 12 makes 1, not 7.
B ((7 − 2) + 3): (7 − 2) + 3 makes 8, not 7.
C ((12 + 7) + 2): (12 + 7) + 2 makes 21, not 7.
E ((6 + 7) − 3): (6 + 7) − 3 makes 10, not 7.
Standard the 11 Plus standard, Year 5
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
In this addition grid, each box is the number at the start of its row added to the number at the top of its column. What number goes in the box marked ?
+
5
Row
4
24
29
?
28
20
25
37
24
39
44
56
43
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, 41
How to work it out
The missing top number is 17, found by taking a row number away from a sum in its column.
The box is 24 + 17 = 41.
Why the other options are wrong
A (28): This uses the number at the top of the wrong column.
B (40): This is one too few; add the two edge numbers again.
D (42): This is one too many; add the two edge numbers again.
E (7): This takes the numbers away; the grid adds them.
Question 4Aim for about 35 seconds
In a secret number system, 2 is written ==; 6 is written /=; 15 is written ^/. What number is ^^^/====?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, 39
How to work it out
From the examples, ^ is 10, / is 5, = is 1. ^^^/==== is 3 × 10 + 1 × 5 + 4 × 1 = 39.
Why the other options are wrong
A (8): 8 is the number of symbols, but they are not all worth 1.
B (38): Count the = symbols again: 38 has one = too few.
C (29): 29 swaps what ^ and / are worth; check them against the examples.
E (40): Count the = symbols again: 40 has one = too many.
Exam standard what the papers ask in Year 6
Question 5Aim for about 35 seconds
In a secret number system, 2 is written OO; 8 is written <OO; 18 is written /<. How is 28 written?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, //OOOO
How to work it out
From the examples, / is 12, < is 6, O is 1.
28 is 2 × 12 + 4 × 1, so it is written //OOOO.
Why the other options are wrong
B (/<OOOO): /<OOOO is 22, 6 less than 28.
C (/OOOO): /OOOO is 16, 12 less than 28.
D (//<OOOO): //<OOOO is 34, 6 more than 28.
E (///OOOO): ///OOOO is 40, 12 more than 28.
Question 6Aim for about 35 seconds
Which calculation uses three of the numbers to make 4?
Numbers: 2, 4, 7, 12, 24
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, (24 ÷ 4) − 2
How to work it out
(24 ÷ 4) − 2: the brackets first, then the last step, gives 4.
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.