Maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning
Competition
Highly selective
Prism’s suggested target
80% 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 list is in order from smallest to largest?
35 0.58 62%
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, 0.58, 35, 62%
How to work it out
Change them all to the same form, such as decimals: 35 = 0.6, 0.58 = 0.58, 62% = 0.62.
Smallest to largest: 0.58, 35, 62%.
Why the other options are wrong
B (35, 62%, 0.58): Compare them as decimals (35 = 0.6, 0.58 = 0.58, 62% = 0.62): this list is not smallest to largest.
C (62%, 35, 0.58): Compare them as decimals (35 = 0.6, 0.58 = 0.58, 62% = 0.62): this list is not smallest to largest.
D (0.58, 62%, 35): Compare them as decimals (35 = 0.6, 0.58 = 0.58, 62% = 0.62): this list is not smallest to largest.
E (35, 0.58, 62%): Compare them as decimals (35 = 0.6, 0.58 = 0.58, 62% = 0.62): this list is not smallest to largest.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
Which part has a punctuation mistake? Choose “No mistake” if there is none.
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, asked grandmarandma
How to work it out
“Grandma” is used as a name here, so it needs a capital letter.
Why the other options are wrong
A (“Have you seen): This part is punctuated correctly.
B (my stomach medicine?”): This part is punctuated correctly.
D (from the bedroom.): This part is punctuated correctly.
E (No mistake): There is a mistake: “Grandma” is used as a name here, so it needs a capital letter.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word is closest in meaning to “shout”?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, yell
How to work it out
“yell” has a similar meaning to “shout”.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds
Which figure completes the grid?
?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A
How to work it out
Across each row the shading changes in the same way; down each column the shape changes.
The missing figure needs the bottom row’s shape and the right column’s shading.
What entrance test does St Peter’s School, York use?
St Peter’s School, York 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 Peter’s School, York?
Schools do not publish pass marks. As a guide, Prism suggests a child aims to score around 80% 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 St Peter’s School, York?
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 Peter’s School, York?
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.