Maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning
Competition
Super-selective
Prism’s suggested target
88% in practice (our estimate, not a school figure)
About the Independent school 11+ (own papers)
Most independent schools set their own maths and English papers in January of Year 6, often with a reasoning test, creative writing and an interview.
Stage
Paper
Questions
Time
11+ assessment
Maths
25
60 minutes
11+ assessment
English
12
60 minutes
11+ assessment
Reasoning
40
40 minutes
11+ assessment
Puzzles & Problem Solving
15
30 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 Independent school 11+ (own papers) 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 January.
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.
This test includes a piece of writing, so practise planning and writing a short story or description in a set time.
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
Which number belongs in the box marked ?
Numbers greater than 20
20 or less
Even numbers
30, 32
12, 18
Odd numbers
?
3, 17
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, 33
How to work it out
The ? box is in the row “Odd numbers” and the column “Numbers greater than 20”.
33 fits both.
Why the other options are wrong
A (28): This fits “Numbers greater than 20” but not “Odd numbers”.
B (4): This fits neither label of the ? box.
C (30): This fits “Numbers greater than 20” but not “Odd numbers”.
D (15): This fits “Odd numbers” but not “Numbers greater than 20”.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
Which part has a spelling mistake? Choose “No mistake” if there is none.
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, It’s ofen difficult
How to work it out
“ofen” should be spelt “often”.
Why the other options are wrong
B (to concentrate when): Every word in this part is spelt correctly.
C (the room is): Every word in this part is spelt correctly.
D (extremely noisy.): Every word in this part is spelt correctly.
E (No mistake): There is a mistake: “ofen” should be spelt “often”.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Which one letter completes the word in front of the brackets and starts the word after them, in both pairs?
vill ( ) lone pizz ( ) bove
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, A
How to work it out
A makes villa and alone, and pizza and above.
The same letter must work in all four places.
Why the other options are wrong
A (B): B does not make four real words.
B (R): R does not make four real words.
C (V): V does not make four real words.
E (C): C does not make four real words.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds
Which figure comes next in the series?
?
Show the worked answer
Answer: E
How to work it out
The lshape turns 90° anticlockwise each step and the shading alternates.
Dulwich College uses the Independent school 11+ (own papers), which tests maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning and includes a piece of writing. Check the school’s admissions page for the current arrangements.
What score does my child need for Dulwich College?
Schools do not publish pass marks. As a guide, Prism suggests a child aims to score around 88% consistently in practice for a super-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 Dulwich College?
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 January.
Preparing for Dulwich College?
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.