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
1 kg is about 2.2 lbs. About how many kilograms are there in 39.6 lbs?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, 18 kg
How to work it out
Each kilogram is 2.2 lbs, so divide: 39.6 ÷ 2.2 = 18.
Check: 18 × 2.2 = 39.6.
Why the other options are wrong
A (17 kg): Check by multiplying your answer by 2.2.
B (19 kg): Check by multiplying your answer by 2.2.
D (37 kg): This takes away 2.2 instead of dividing by it.
E (87 kg): This multiplies by 2.2 again. Changing pounds to kilograms makes the number smaller.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
Which word best completes the sentence?
The dog wagged _____ tail happily.
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, its
How to work it out
“its” is the word that fits: The dog wagged its tail happily.
Why the other options are wrong
B (their): One dog needs “its”, not the plural “their”.
C (it is): “The dog wagged it is tail” makes no sense.
D (it’s): “It’s” means it is.
E (its’): There is no such word as “its’”.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word goes best with these three?
heel, shoulder, chin
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, elbow
How to work it out
heel, shoulder, chin are all body, and so is elbow.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds
Which figure comes next in the series?
?
Show the worked answer
Answer: E
How to work it out
The flag turns 135° clockwise each step and the shading alternates.
What entrance test does Ribston Hall High School use?
Ribston Hall High 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 Ribston Hall High 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 Ribston Hall High 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 Ribston Hall High 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.