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 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
Layla must be at the Library by 09:12. What is the latest bus Layla can catch from the Station?
Bus 1
Bus 2
Bus 3
Bus 4
Station
08:10
08:41
09:10
09:55
Market
08:21
08:52
09:21
10:06
Library
08:33
09:04
09:33
10:18
Park
08:39
09:10
09:39
10:24
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, 08:41
How to work it out
Look along the Library row for the last time at or before 09:12: 09:04, which is Bus 2.
That bus leaves the Station at 08:41.
Why the other options are wrong
A (09:04): This is when the bus reaches the Library, not when it leaves the Station.
B (09:10): That bus reaches the Library at 09:33, which is too late.
C (08:10): This bus works, but a later one also arrives in time.
E (08:49): Buses only leave at the times in the timetable.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
What does the word “elusive” mean?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, hard to find or catch
How to work it out
“Elusive” (adjective) means hard to find or catch.
For example: The elusive otter was rarely seen.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Complete the analogy.
brush is to paint as needle is to ?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, sew
How to work it out
Say the link between “brush” and “paint” as a sentence.
The same sentence links “needle” and “sew”.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds
Which of the shapes below could join this group?
The group
Show the worked answer
Answer: B
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.
John Lyon 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 John Lyon School?
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 John Lyon 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 John Lyon 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.