Entrance-exam formats vary between schools and areas. Use this guide to choose a sensible starting point, then confirm the exact subjects, timings and question styles on each target school’s current admissions page.
7+ preparation
7+ assessments are usually taken during Year 2 for entry into Year 3. Maths and English commonly form the academic core, while schools may also use reading aloud, interviews, group activities or other tasks.
Start with: secure number facts, arithmetic, simple fractions, time, money, vocabulary, sentence accuracy, reading comprehension and short writing.
11+ preparation
11+ assessments are generally taken during Year 5 or early Year 6 for entry into Year 7. Maths and English are common, and some tests also include verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning or school-specific elements.
Start with: the free Maths and English mini test, followed by a core revision pack. Use topic worksheets for clear gaps and introduce timed papers once methods are secure.
13+ preparation
13+ assessments are commonly used for entry into Year 9. Maths and English are often central, but schools may assess additional subjects or use their own papers and interviews.
Start with: secure Key Stage 3 foundations, stronger multi-step Maths, analytical reading, controlled writing and realistic timed practice.
A simple preparation cycle
- Diagnose: use a short test to identify the actual gaps.
- Teach: learn or revisit the method.
- Practise: complete focused questions without rushing.
- Time: move into timed sets and full papers.
- Review: record mistakes, correct them and retest.
More work is not automatically better. Focused practice, careful marking and repeated correction usually produce more useful information than completing page after page without reviewing errors.