Question 1Aim for about 60 seconds
A car travels at 70 mph for 0.5 hours. How far does it travel?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, 35 miles
How to work it out
Distance = speed × time = 70 × 0.5 = 35 miles.
Wellington College: 11 Plus entry
A independent school in Thames Valley & Home Counties for boys and girls, with entry at 13+. Here is the test it uses, what is in it and how to prepare.
At a glance
- Type
- Independent school
- Pupils
- Mixed
- Area
- Thames Valley & Home Counties, South East
- Entry
- 13+
- Entrance test
- ISEB Common Pre-Test
- Tested
- 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 ISEB Common Pre-Test
An online, adaptive test in maths, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning used by many senior independent schools, usually taken in Year 6 or 7.
| Stage | Paper | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Test | Maths | 36 | 50 minutes |
| Pre-Test | English | 30 | 25 minutes |
| Pre-Test | Verbal Reasoning | 40 | 36 minutes |
| Pre-Test | Non-verbal Reasoning | 36 | 32 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 ISEB Common Pre-Test 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 November.
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 2Aim for about 45 seconds
What does the word “scrawny” mean?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, thin and bony
How to work it out
- “Scrawny” (adjective) means thin and bony.
- For example: A scrawny cat begged at the door.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Which one letter can be moved from the first word into the second word to make two new words? The other letters stay in the same order.
WITCH LOSE
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, C
How to work it out
Take C out of WITCH to leave WITH, and put it into LOSE to make CLOSE.
Why the other options are wrong
- A (I): Taking I out does not leave two real words.
- C (W): Taking W out does not leave two real words.
- D (H): Taking H out does not leave two real words.
- E (T): Taking T out does not leave two real words.
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.
Other selective schools in Thames Valley & Home Counties
Questions parents ask
What entrance test does Wellington College use?
Wellington College uses the ISEB Common Pre-Test, 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 Wellington College?
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 Wellington College?
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 November.
Preparing for Wellington College?
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.
Start the free assessmentPrism Learning is not affiliated with Wellington College. Details are indicative; always check admissions arrangements with the school.