Question 1Aim for about 60 seconds
How many metres are there in 2.75 km?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, 2750 m
How to work it out
1 km = 1000 m, so 2.75 km = 2,750 m.
James Allen’s Girls’ School: 11 Plus entry
A independent school in South London for girls, with entry at 11+. Here is the test it uses, what is in it and how to prepare.
At a glance
- Type
- Independent school
- Pupils
- Girls
- Area
- South London, London
- Entry
- 11+
- Entrance test
- Independent school 11+ (own papers)
- Tested
- 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 2Aim for about 45 seconds
What does the word “thrifty” mean?
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, careful with money
How to work it out
- “Thrifty” (adjective) means careful with money.
- For example: A thrifty shopper looks for bargains.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
A four-letter word is hidden across the end of one word and the start of the next. Which two words hide it?
The snow was dazzling in the morning sun.
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, the morning
How to work it out
- “them” is hidden in “the morning”: read the letters straight across the gap.
- Check each pair of neighbouring words in turn, joining the last letters of one word to the first letters of the next.
Why the other options are wrong
- A (snow was): No real four-letter word runs across the gap between these two words.
- C (The snow): No real four-letter word runs across the gap between these two words.
- D (morning sun): No real four-letter word runs across the gap between these two words.
- E (dazzling in): No real four-letter word runs across the gap between these two words.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds
Which of the shapes below could join this group?
The group
Show the worked answer
Answer: E
How to work it out
- Every shape in the group has the same number of dots as it has sides.
- Shading and rotation change freely, so they are distractors.
Other selective schools in South London
- Dulwich College
- Alleyn’s School
- St Dunstan’s College
- Eltham College
- Colfe’s School
- Blackheath High School
- Sydenham High School
- Streatham & Clapham High School
- Emanuel School
- Putney High School
- Wimbledon High School
- King’s College School
- Whitgift School
- Trinity School, Croydon
- Croydon High School
- Sutton High School
Questions parents ask
What entrance test does James Allen’s Girls’ School use?
James Allen’s Girls’ School 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 James Allen’s Girls’ School?
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 James Allen’s Girls’ 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 January.
Preparing for James Allen’s Girls’ 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.
Start the free assessmentPrism Learning is not affiliated with James Allen’s Girls’ School. Details are indicative; always check admissions arrangements with the school.