Maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning
Competition
Selective
Prism’s suggested target
78% in practice (our estimate, not a school figure)
About the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test
Two papers sat in September of Year 6: Paper 1 (verbal skills) and Paper 2 (maths and non-verbal skills).
Stage
Paper
Questions
Time
Transfer Test
Paper 1: Verbal Skills
45
50 minutes
Transfer Test
Paper 2: Maths & Non-verbal
45
50 minutes
Paper formats are indicative and change from year to year. Always check the current arrangements with the school or local authority.
How to prepare
The Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer 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.
Practice questions in the style of the test
Written by Prism in the style of the test, not taken from any school’s papers.
Question 1Aim for about 60 seconds
Dev spends £4.53 and pays with a £5 note. What is the smallest number of coins Dev can get in change?
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, 4
How to work it out
The change is £5.00 − £4.53 = £0.47.
Use the biggest coin that fits each time: 20p + 20p + 5p + 2p.
That is 4 coins.
Why the other options are wrong
A (3): Check the change again: one of the amounts has been missed.
B (6): Use £2 and £1 coins before smaller ones.
C (5): This splits one coin into two smaller ones. Use the biggest coin that fits each time.
D (2): Too few coins to make the change exactly.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
Which part has a spelling mistake? Choose “No mistake” if there is none.
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, to garantee that
How to work it out
“garantee” should be spelt “guarantee”.
Why the other options are wrong
A (Is it possible): Every word in this part is spelt correctly.
C (the equipment will): Every word in this part is spelt correctly.
D (arrive in February?): Every word in this part is spelt correctly.
E (No mistake): There is a mistake: “garantee” should be spelt “guarantee”.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
If MOON is written in code as JLLK, what is the code for FISH?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, CFPE
How to work it out
Compare MOON with its code: each letter moves 3 places back in the alphabet.
Do the same to FISH: CFPE.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds
The first figure changes into the second. Which option changes the third figure in the same way?
?
Show the worked answer
Answer: B
How to work it out
The figure becomes shaded solid, and then turns 90° clockwise.
What entrance test does Burnham Grammar School use?
Burnham Grammar School uses the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test, which tests maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Check the school’s admissions page for the current arrangements.
What score does my child need for Burnham Grammar School?
Schools do not publish pass marks. As a guide, Prism suggests a child aims to score around 78% consistently in practice for a selective school. This is Prism’s own estimate, not a figure from the school, and no score guarantees a place.
When should my child start preparing for Burnham Grammar School?
Most families start in Year 4 or early Year 5, then practise timed papers during the summer before the test, which usually takes place in September.
Preparing for Burnham Grammar School?
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.