Maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning
Competition
Highly selective
Prism’s suggested target
80% in practice (our estimate, not a school figure)
About the Own written papers (independent schools)
The school sets its own written papers in maths and English, English usually with comprehension and a piece of writing, between November and January of Year 6, often with an interview. Some add a verbal or non-verbal reasoning paper.
Stage
Paper
How it is answered
Prism practice paper
11+ assessment
Maths (written)
Written answers
25 questions, 60 minutes
11+ assessment
English (written)
Written answers
12 questions, 60 minutes
11+ assessment
Reasoning (some schools)
Multiple choice
40 questions, 40 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 Own written papers (independent schools) 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.
Some answers are written, not chosen, so practise without options to fall back on: write the number or the words yourself, show the working where the paper asks for it, and check each answer against the question.
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
Work out the subtraction:
6 − 13
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, 523
How to work it out
Take 13 from one of the wholes: 1 − 13 = 23.
That leaves 5 wholes and 23: 523.
Why the other options are wrong
A (613): This adds the fraction on instead of taking it away.
B (19): This adds the whole number to the bottom; the bottom number names the size of the parts and does not change.
C (513): This takes 1 whole away but keeps 13. What is left of that whole is 23.
D (53): This takes the top number from the whole number, mixing wholes and parts.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
In this sentence, what word class is “climbed”?
Maya and her brother climbed the steep hill.
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, verb
How to work it out
“climbed” is a verb.
Verbs are doing or being words.
Why the other options are wrong
B (conjunction): “climbed” is not a conjunction: conjunctions join words or clauses, but here it is the action.
C (pronoun): “climbed” is not a pronoun: pronouns stand in for nouns, but here it is the action.
D (adverb): “climbed” is not an adverb: adverbs say how, when or where something happens, but here it is the action.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
In a code, KAYAK is written as OECEO. Two rules both fit: Rule A, each letter moves 4 forward; Rule B, the word is written backwards, then each letter moves 4 forward. Which word, if you saw its code, would tell the two rules apart?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, BOAT
How to work it out
KAYAK reads the same backwards, so writing it backwards changes nothing and both rules give OECEO.
A word that is different backwards, such as BOAT, gets FSEX under Rule A and XESF under Rule B.
Why the other options are wrong
B (SEES): SEES reads the same backwards, so both rules give it the code WIIW; it cannot tell them apart.
C (ROTOR): ROTOR reads the same backwards, so both rules give it the code VSXSV; it cannot tell them apart.
D (RADAR): RADAR reads the same backwards, so both rules give it the code VEHEV; it cannot tell them apart.
E (TENET): TENET reads the same backwards, so both rules give it the code XIRIX; it cannot tell them apart.
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: E
How to work it out
The figure becomes shaded solid, and then is reflected (mirrored).
Apply both changes to the third figure.
Why the other options are wrong
A: This reflects the figure one time too many, which cancels the reflection that the rule needs.
B: This only makes the second change (the figure is reflected) and misses the first (it becomes shaded solid).
C: This is the third figure unchanged, so neither of the two changes has been made.
D: This only makes the first change (the figure becomes shaded solid) and misses the second (it is reflected).
Other selective schools in Thames Valley & Home Counties
What entrance test does Headington School Oxford use?
Headington School Oxford uses the Own written papers (independent schools), which tests maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning and includes a piece of writing. It is answered with multiple choice and written answers. Check the school’s admissions page for the current arrangements.
What score does my child need for Headington School Oxford?
Schools do not publish pass marks. As a guide, Prism suggests a child aims to score around 80% consistently in practice for a highly 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 Headington School Oxford?
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 November.
Preparing for Headington School Oxford?
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.