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
Find the missing number that makes both sides equal.
41 + 543 = ? + 541
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, 43
How to work it out
The left side is 41 + 543 = 584.
So ? + 541 = 584, and ? = 584 − 541 = 43.
A quicker way: 541 is 2 less than 543, so ? must be 2 more than 41.
Why the other options are wrong
B (584): This is the total of the left side. The right side already has 541 in it, so the missing number is smaller.
C (41): This assumes 543 and 541 are the same; they differ by 2.
D (39): The right side's number is 2 smaller, so the missing number must be 2 bigger, not smaller.
E (2): This is only the difference between 543 and 541.
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, the soldier’s uniform
How to work it out
A sentence always starts with a capital letter.
Why the other options are wrong
B (was covered in mud): This part is punctuated correctly.
C (after the exercise): This part is punctuated correctly.
D (in the forest.): 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
Complete the analogy.
wheel is to car as wing is to ?
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, 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 of the shapes below could join this group?
The group
Show the worked answer
Answer: B
How to work it out
Every shape in the group has the same number of dots as it has sides.
Shading and rotation change freely, so they are distractors.
St Paul’s 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 St Paul’s 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 St Paul’s 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 St Paul’s 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.