Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School: 11 Plus entry

A state grammar school in Buckinghamshire for boys and girls, with entry at 11+. Here is the test it uses, what is in it and how to prepare.

At a glance

Type: Grammar school
Pupils: Mixed
Area: Buckinghamshire, South East
Entry: 11+
Entrance test: Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test
Tested: Maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning
Competition: Highly selective
Prism’s suggested target: 85% in practice (our estimate, not a school figure)

About the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test

Two papers sat in September of Year 6: Paper 1 (verbal skills) and Paper 2 (maths and non-verbal skills).

Stage	Paper	Questions	Time
Transfer Test	Paper 1: Verbal Skills	45	50 minutes
Transfer Test	Paper 2: Maths & Non-verbal	45	50 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 Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer 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 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 recipe for 8 people uses 200 g of flour. How much flour is needed for 24 people?

Show the worked answer

Answer: C, 600 g

How to work it out

Flour for one person: 200 ÷ 8 = 25 g.
For 24 people: 25 × 24 = 600 g.

Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds

What does the word “vanquish” mean?

Show the worked answer

Answer: A, to defeat completely

How to work it out

“Vanquish” (verb) means to defeat completely.
For example: The knight vanquished the dragon.

Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds

Three letters next to each other have been taken out of the word in capitals. Together they spell a three-letter word. Which word is it?

We spent a TQUIL afternoon by the river.

Show the worked answer

Answer: C, RAN

How to work it out

TQUIL + RAN makes TRANQUIL, which completes the sentence.
Read the sentence for sense, then try each option in the gap.

Why the other options are wrong

A (CUP): Putting CUP into TQUIL does not make a real word.
B (INK): Putting INK into TQUIL does not make a real word.
D (YES): Putting YES into TQUIL does not make a real word.
E (ARE): Putting ARE into TQUIL does not make a real word.

Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds

Which figure comes next in the series?

Show the worked answer

Answer: B

How to work it out

The lshape turns 135° clockwise each step and the shading alternates.

Other selective schools in Buckinghamshire

Questions parents ask

What entrance test does Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School use?

Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School uses the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer 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 Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School?

Schools do not publish pass marks. As a guide, Prism suggests a child aims to score around 85% consistently in practice for a highly 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 Sir William Borlase’s 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 Sir William Borlase’s 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.

Start the free assessment

Prism Learning is not affiliated with Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School. Details are indicative; always check admissions arrangements with the school.