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.
Stage
Paper
Questions
Time
11+
English
49
50 minutes
11+
Maths
50
50 minutes
11+
Verbal Reasoning
80
50 minutes
11+
Non-verbal Reasoning
40
40 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
A, B and C are three corners of a rectangle. What are the coordinates of the fourth corner, D?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, (0, 6)
How to work it out
D is above A and level with C.
So it has A's x-coordinate (0) and C's y-coordinate (6): (0, 6).
Why the other options are wrong
A ((6, 0)): The numbers are the wrong way round: x comes first.
B ((0, 4)): This uses the width for the height; the sides of a rectangle can differ.
C ((4, 6)): Check which corner is missing: it must be above A.
E ((2, 10)): This carries on past C instead of finding the missing corner.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
Which part has a spelling mistake? Choose “No mistake” if there is none.
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, Kiran thort the
How to work it out
“thort” should be spelt “thought”.
Why the other options are wrong
B (riddle was strange): Every word in this part is spelt correctly.
C (but it was): Every word in this part is spelt correctly.
D (surprisingly simple.): Every word in this part is spelt correctly.
E (No mistake): There is a mistake: “thort” should be spelt “thought”.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Complete the analogy.
hot is to cold as up is to ?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, down
How to work it out
Say the link between “hot” and “cold” as a sentence.
The same sentence links “up” and “down”.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds
Which figure is the odd one out?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A
How to work it out
In each figure the number of dots matches the number of sides of the shape, except the odd one out.
What entrance test does North Halifax Grammar School use?
North Halifax 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 North Halifax 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 North Halifax 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 North Halifax 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.