Maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning
Competition
Selective
Prism’s suggested target
78% in practice (our estimate, not a school figure)
About the GL Assessment 11+ (four subjects)
Many local authorities (e.g. Trafford, Wirral, Warwickshire, Lancashire, Calderdale, Bournemouth & Poole, Gloucestershire) use GL papers in some mix of maths, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
Stage
Paper
Questions
Time
11+
English
49
50 minutes
11+
Maths
50
50 minutes
11+
Verbal Reasoning
80
50 minutes
11+
Non-verbal Reasoning
40
40 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 GL Assessment 11+ (four subjects) 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
Priya's old printer prints 0.939 pages a minute on average. A new printer is 100 times faster. How many pages a minute does the new printer print?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, 93.9
How to work it out
Multiplying by 100 moves every digit 2 places to the left: 0.939 × 100 = 93.9.
Why the other options are wrong
A (0.00939): This divides by 100; faster means more pages, so multiply.
B (939): The digits moved one place too many.
C (9.39): The digits moved one place too few.
E (100.939): This adds 100 instead of multiplying.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
What does the word “mournful” mean?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, full of sadness
How to work it out
“Mournful” (adjective) means full of sadness.
For example: The dog gave a mournful howl.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Find the next number in this series.
9, 57, 18, 53, 27, 49, ?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, 36
How to work it out
Two series take turns: 9, 18, 27 (add 9) and 57, 53, 49 (take away 4).
The next number continues the first: 36.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds
Which figure is the odd one out?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C
How to work it out
Four figures are the same shape turned to different angles.
The odd one out is a mirror image, which no rotation can produce.
What entrance test does Upton Hall School FCJ use?
Upton Hall School FCJ uses the GL Assessment 11+ (four subjects), 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 Upton Hall School FCJ?
Schools do not publish pass marks. As a guide, Prism suggests a child aims to score around 78% consistently in practice for a 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 Upton Hall School FCJ?
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 Upton Hall School FCJ?
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.