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Radley College: 11 Plus entry

A independent school in Thames Valley & Home Counties for boys, with entry at 13+. Here is the test it uses, what is in it and how to prepare.

At a glance

Type
Independent school
Pupils
Boys
Area
Thames Valley & Home Counties, South East
Entry
13+
Entrance test
ISEB Common Pre-Test
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 ISEB Common Pre-Test

An online, adaptive test in maths, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning used by many senior independent schools, usually taken in Year 6 or 7.

StagePaperQuestionsTime
Pre-TestMaths3650 minutes
Pre-TestEnglish3025 minutes
Pre-TestVerbal Reasoning4036 minutes
Pre-TestNon-verbal Reasoning3632 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 ISEB Common Pre-Test 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 November.

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

180 children were asked about their favourite sport. How many chose Gymnastics?

180°90°60°30°NetballCricketGymnasticsSwimmingFavourite sport
Show the worked answer

Answer: E, 30

How to work it out

Gymnastics has 60° of the 360° circle, which is 16. 16 of 180 = 30.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A (15): This is the number who chose Swimming.
  • B (45): This assumes all four slices are equal.
  • C (60): This is the angle of the slice, not the number of children.
  • D (0): Divide the angle by 360, not by the number of children.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds

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

Show the worked answer

Answer: B, was ate

How to work it out

After “was”, the verb is “eaten”, not “ate”.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A (The cake): This part is grammatically correct.
  • C (by the): This part is grammatically correct.
  • D (hungry children.): This part is grammatically correct.
  • E (No mistake): There is a mistake: After “was”, the verb is “eaten”, not “ate”.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds

Here are four words and three number codes. The codes are not in the same order as the words, and one code is missing. What is the code for CREW?

OVER CREW ONCE CROW 4581 8749 8295

Show the worked answer

Answer: C, 4591

How to work it out

  1. Find a letter that appears in only one place, or two words that share a pattern, and match them to the codes.
  2. Working through the letters: C = 4, R = 5, E = 9, W = 1, O = 8, N = 7, V = 2.
  3. So CREW is 4591.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A (4951): Two digits are in the wrong place: check each letter against its number.
  • B (4519): Two digits are in the wrong place: check each letter against its number.
  • D (5491): Two digits are in the wrong place: check each letter against its number.
  • E (1954): Two digits are in the wrong place: check each letter against its number.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds

Which figure completes the grid?

?
Show the worked answer

Answer: A

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 Thames Valley & Home Counties

Questions parents ask

What entrance test does Radley College use?

Radley College uses the ISEB Common Pre-Test, 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 Radley College?

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 Radley College?

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 November.

Preparing for Radley College?

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 Radley College. Details are indicative; always check admissions arrangements with the school.