A independent school in Surrey, Kent & Sussex for boys and girls, with entry at 11+ and 13+. Here is the test it uses, what is in it and how to prepare.
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.
Stage
Paper
Questions
Time
11+ assessment
Maths
25
60 minutes
11+ assessment
English
12
60 minutes
11+ assessment
Reasoning
40
40 minutes
11+ assessment
Puzzles & Problem Solving
15
30 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 set contains only cube numbers?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, 8, 27, 125
How to work it out
A cube number is a number times itself three times: 2 × 2 × 2 = 8; 3 × 3 × 3 = 27; 5 × 5 × 5 = 125.
So the set is 8, 27, 125.
Why the other options are wrong
A (8, 28, 125): 28 is not a cube number.
B (24, 27, 125): 24 is 3 × 8, not a cube.
C (8, 27, 144): One of these is a square number, not a cube number.
E (16, 27, 125): One of these is a square number, not a cube number.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
Which part has a punctuation mistake? Choose “No mistake” if there is none.
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, which vegetable would
How to work it out
A sentence always starts with a capital letter.
Why the other options are wrong
B (you like with): This part is punctuated correctly.
C (your dinner): This part is punctuated correctly.
D (this evening?): This part is punctuated correctly.
E (No mistake): There is a mistake: A sentence always starts with a capital letter.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Three of these words go together. Which two words do not belong with them?
apple, heel, shoulder, hip, plum
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, apple and plum
How to work it out
hip, shoulder, heel are all parts of the body. apple and plum are fruits.
Why the other options are wrong
B (shoulder and plum): shoulder belongs with the parts of the body; only apple and plum do not.
C (apple and heel): heel belongs with the parts of the body.
D (apple and hip): hip belongs with the parts of the body; only apple and plum do not.
E (shoulder and hip): These are both parts of the body, like heel.
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 lshape turns 45° clockwise each step and the shading alternates.
Sevenoaks 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 Sevenoaks 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 Sevenoaks 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 Sevenoaks 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.