A state grammar school in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole for girls, with entry at 11+. Here is the test it uses, what is in it and how to prepare.
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
What is the area of this shape? All the corners are right angles.
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, 98 cm²
How to work it out
Imagine the whole 14 cm × 8 cm rectangle: 112 cm².
The missing corner is 7 cm × 2 cm = 14 cm² (its sides are 14 − 7 and 8 − 6).
Area = 112 − 14 = 98 cm².
Why the other options are wrong
A (112 cm²): This is the whole rectangle; the corner that is cut out must be taken away.
B (44 cm²): This is the perimeter, not the area.
C (42 cm²): This multiplies two of the shorter sides only.
D (126 cm²): This adds the missing corner instead of taking it away.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
Which word completes the sentence with the correct spelling?
The police car raced off to _____ the robbers.
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, pursue
How to work it out
The police car raced off to pursue the robbers. pur, like purse: pur-sue.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Complete the analogy.
wheel is to car as wing is to ?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, plane
How to work it out
Say the link between “wheel” and “car” as a sentence.
The same sentence links “wing” and “plane”.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds
Which figure is the odd one out?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A
How to work it out
Four figures are the same shape turned to different angles.
The odd one out is a mirror image, which no rotation can produce.
Other selective schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
What entrance test does Parkstone Grammar School use?
Parkstone 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 Parkstone 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 Parkstone 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 Parkstone 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.