Latymer Upper School: 11 Plus entry

A independent school in West London for boys and 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
Mixed
Area
West 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.

StagePaperQuestionsTime
11+ assessmentMaths2560 minutes
11+ assessmentEnglish1260 minutes
11+ assessmentReasoning4040 minutes
11+ assessmentPuzzles & Problem Solving1530 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

Which of these numbers is a common factor of 36 and 90?

Show the worked answer

Answer: A, 6

How to work it out

A common factor divides into both exactly: 36 ÷ 6 = 6 and 90 ÷ 6 = 15.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B (45): 45 is a factor of 90 but not of 36.
  • C (30): 30 is a factor of 90 but not of 36.
  • D (12): 12 is a factor of 36 but not of 90.
  • E (4): 4 is a factor of 36 but not of 90.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds

Which word is spelt incorrectly?

Show the worked answer

Answer: A, untill

How to work it out

  1. “untill” should be spelt “until”.
  2. Until has one l, even though till has two.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds

Choose one word from each group. Which two words are most opposite in meaning?

( kettle, saucer, sweet ) ( lantern, sour, bucket )

Show the worked answer

Answer: D, sweet and sour

How to work it out

  1. “sweet” and “sour” are antonyms: they mean the opposite.
  2. Try each word from the first group with each word from the second.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A (sweet and bucket): “sweet” is right, but “bucket” is not linked to it.
  • B (saucer and lantern): These two words are not linked in meaning.
  • C (kettle and sour): “sour” is right, but “kettle” is not linked to it.
  • E (kettle and bucket): These two words are not linked in meaning.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds

Which figure comes next in the series?

?
Show the worked answer

Answer: C

How to work it out

The flag turns 90° clockwise each step and the shading alternates.

Other selective schools in West London

Questions parents ask

What entrance test does Latymer Upper School use?

Latymer Upper 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 Latymer Upper 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 Latymer Upper 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 Latymer Upper 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 Latymer Upper School. Details are indicative; always check admissions arrangements with the school.