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
How many minutes does Bus 3 take to go from the Station to the Park?
Bus 1
Bus 2
Bus 3
Bus 4
Station
08:10
08:39
09:06
09:52
Market
08:24
08:53
09:20
10:06
Library
08:37
09:06
09:33
10:19
Park
08:42
09:11
09:38
10:24
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, 32 minutes
How to work it out
Bus 3 leaves the Station at 09:06 and reaches the Park at 09:38.
Count on: 32 minutes.
Why the other options are wrong
A (5 minutes): This is only the last part of the journey.
B (78 minutes): This reads the arrival time from the wrong bus.
D (14 minutes): This is only the first part of the journey.
E (42 minutes): Count on again from the departure time.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
Which word best completes the sentence?
The baby was _____ because it was hungry.
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, crying
How to work it out
“crying” is the word that fits: The baby was crying because it was hungry.
Why the other options are wrong
A (cry): After “was”, the -ing form is needed.
B (cried): After “was”, the -ing form is needed: was crying.
D (crys): This is not a word: the y changes to i before -es.
E (cries): After “was”, the -ing form is needed.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word can go after “car” to make a new word?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, pet
How to work it out
car + pet = carpet.
Say each option after “car” and check it makes 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: C
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.
What entrance test does The Edinburgh Academy use?
The Edinburgh Academy 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 Edinburgh Academy?
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 Edinburgh Academy?
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 Edinburgh Academy?
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.