Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School: 11 Plus entry

A state grammar school in Lancashire for girls, with entry at 11+. Here is the test it uses, what is in it and how to prepare.

At a glance

Type
Grammar school
Pupils
Girls
Area
Lancashire, North West
Entry
11+
Entrance test
GL Assessment 11+ (four subjects)
Tested
Maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning
Competition
Selective
Prism’s suggested target
78% in practice (our estimate, not a school figure)

About the GL Assessment 11+ (four subjects)

Many local authorities (e.g. Trafford, Wirral, Warwickshire, Lancashire, Calderdale, Bournemouth & Poole, Gloucestershire) use GL papers in some mix of maths, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning.

StagePaperQuestionsTime
11+English4950 minutes
11+Maths5050 minutes
11+Verbal Reasoning8050 minutes
11+Non-verbal Reasoning4040 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 GL Assessment 11+ (four subjects) 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 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.

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.

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

Write 9/25 as a percentage.

Show the worked answer

Answer: D, 36%

How to work it out

  1. 9/25 = 0.36 as a decimal.
  2. Multiply by 100 to get 36%.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds

Which part has a spelling mistake? Choose “No mistake” if there is none.

Show the worked answer

Answer: C, sufficiant for most

How to work it out

“sufficiant” should be spelt “sufficient”.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A (The explanation in): Every word in this part is spelt correctly.
  • B (the textbook was): Every word in this part is spelt correctly.
  • D (of the class.): Every word in this part is spelt correctly.
  • E (No mistake): There is a mistake: “sufficiant” should be spelt “sufficient”.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds

Complete the analogy.

baker is to bread as florist is to ?

Show the worked answer

Answer: E, flowers

How to work it out

  1. Say the link between “baker” and “bread” as a sentence.
  2. The same sentence links “florist” and “flowers”.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds

Which figure completes the grid?

?
Show the worked answer

Answer: D

How to work it out

  1. Across each row the shading changes in the same way; down each column the shape changes.
  2. The missing figure needs the bottom row’s shape and the right column’s shading.

Other selective schools in Lancashire

Questions parents ask

What entrance test does Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School use?

Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School uses the GL Assessment 11+ (four subjects), which tests maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Check the school’s admissions page for the current arrangements.

What score does my child need for Lancaster Girls’ Grammar 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 Lancaster Girls’ Grammar 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 Lancaster Girls’ Grammar 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 assessment

Prism Learning is not affiliated with Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School. Details are indicative; always check admissions arrangements with the school.