Question 1Aim for about 60 seconds
A rectangle is 15 cm long and 14 cm wide. What is its area?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, 210 cm²
How to work it out
Area = length × width = 15 × 14 = 210 cm².
Wycombe Abbey: 11 Plus entry
A independent school in Thames Valley & Home Counties for girls, with entry at 11+ and 13+. Here is the test it uses, what is in it and how to prepare.
At a glance
- Type
- Independent school
- Pupils
- Girls
- Area
- Thames Valley & Home Counties, South East
- Entry
- 11+ and 13+
- Entrance test
- Independent school 11+ (own papers)
- Tested
- Maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning
- Competition
- Super-selective
- Prism’s suggested target
- 88% 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 2Aim for about 45 seconds
Which part has a punctuation mistake? Choose “No mistake” if there is none.
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, the restaurant was
How to work it out
A sentence always starts with a capital letter.
Why the other options are wrong
- B (so popular that): This part is punctuated correctly.
- C (a long queue): This part is punctuated correctly.
- D (stretched down the street.): This part is punctuated correctly.
- E (No mistake): There is a mistake: A sentence always starts with a capital letter.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Find the next number in this series.
19, 50, 23, 47, 27, 44, ?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, 31
How to work it out
- Two series take turns: 19, 23, 27 (add 4) and 50, 47, 44 (take away 3).
- The next number continues the first: 31.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds
Which figure is the odd one out?
Show the worked answer
Answer: E
How to work it out
- In each figure the number of dots matches the number of sides of the shape, except the odd one out.
- Shading and angle are distractors.
Other selective schools in Thames Valley & Home Counties
Questions parents ask
What entrance test does Wycombe Abbey use?
Wycombe Abbey 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 Wycombe Abbey?
Schools do not publish pass marks. As a guide, Prism suggests a child aims to score around 88% consistently in practice for a super-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 Wycombe Abbey?
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 Wycombe Abbey?
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 Wycombe Abbey. Details are indicative; always check admissions arrangements with the school.