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
If 23 December is a Monday, what day of the week is 3 February?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, Monday
How to work it out
Count the days: 8 more in December, 31 in January and 3 in February, so 42 days.
42 = 6 weeks and 0 days.
Whole weeks bring you back to Monday; 0 more days gives Monday.
Why the other options are wrong
B (Sunday): This counts one day too few. Count the days after the start date, up to and including the end date.
C (Wednesday): Check the number of days left in December again.
D (Tuesday): This counts one day too many: the start day itself is not counted.
E (Saturday): This treats December or January as having 30 days; both have 31.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
What does the word “opulent” mean?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, rich and luxurious
How to work it out
“Opulent” (adjective) means rich and luxurious.
For example: The palace had opulent golden rooms.
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?
They walked in silence, COUNG paces, the fog beading on their eyelashes and sleeves.
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, TIN
How to work it out
COUNG + TIN makes COUNTING, which completes the sentence.
Read the sentence for sense, then try each option in the gap.
Why the other options are wrong
B (CUP): Putting CUP into COUNG does not make a real word.
C (RIM): Putting RIM into COUNG does not make a real word.
D (ANT): Putting ANT into COUNG does not make a real word.
E (ALL): Putting ALL into COUNG does not make a real word.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds
Which of the shapes below could join this group?
The group
Show the worked answer
Answer: E
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.
Sydenham High 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 Sydenham High School?
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 Sydenham 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 January.
Preparing for Sydenham 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.