78% in practice (our estimate, not a school figure)
About the Sutton SET (first stage only)
Greenshaw High School fills its selective places from the Sutton SET alone: a multiple choice English paper and a multiple choice maths paper, each about 40 to 50 minutes, in September of Year 6. There is no second stage.
Stage
Paper
How it is answered
Prism practice paper
SET
English
Multiple choice
30 questions, 45 minutes
SET
Maths
Multiple choice
45 questions, 45 minutes
Test setters rarely publish how many questions a paper has, so the question counts are the length of Prism’s practice papers; timings follow the setter’s published guidance where there is any. Arrangements change from year to year: always check them with the school or local authority.
How to prepare
The Sutton SET (first stage only) covers maths and English. 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.
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
A piece of wire is 189 cm long. Pieces of 25 cm are cut from it. How many whole pieces can be cut?
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, 7
How to work it out
189 ÷ 25 = 7 remainder 14.
The 14 cm left over is too short for another piece, so 7 pieces.
Why the other options are wrong
A (6): This is one piece too few: 189 ÷ 25 gives 7 whole pieces.
C (17): This is 10 more than the correct answer, so the tens column is out. Recheck the working.
D (8): This rounds up for the 14 cm left over, but it is too short to make a whole piece.
E (14): This is the length left over, 14 cm, not the number of pieces.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
Which word is spelt incorrectly?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, begining
How to work it out
“begining” should be spelt “beginning”. be-GIN has the stress on the end, so double the n: begin, beginning.
Why the other options are wrong
B (rhythm): “rhythm” is spelt correctly. Children often write “rythm” by mistake, so check the letters.
C (conscious): “conscious” is spelt correctly. Children often write “concious” by mistake, so check the letters.
D (achieve): “achieve” is spelt correctly. Children often write “acheive” by mistake, so check the letters.
What entrance test does Greenshaw High School use?
Greenshaw High School uses the Sutton SET (first stage only), which tests maths and English. It is answered with multiple choice. Check the school’s admissions page for the current arrangements.
What score does my child need for Greenshaw High 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 Greenshaw High 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 Greenshaw High School?
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.