The 7 Plus exam is an assessment used by many academically high-performing prep schools as part of their admissions process for entry into Year 3. Taken when your child is Year 2, it is designed to assess a their academic ability and potential in English, Maths, and reasoning. If your child performs well in these exams, they will have increase their chances of acceptance into selective prep schools.
You may think it is a little too early for a 6- or 7-year-old to take seated exams. But some parents opt for the 7 Plus over the 11 Plus exams to relieve some of the stress children might experience whilst also completing their Key Stage 2 national exams in Year 6. The 7 Plus is continuing to grow in popularity, and so we now accommodate more specialist 7 Plus tutors than ever to help prepare and support your child.
Your child could sit up to three papers for Maths, English and Reasoning. They may also face a more or less formal interview, which may take place in groups or individually. The 7 Plus usually takes place in the Spring term for the beginning of the next academic year in September. Below is an outline of what they should expect when they take them.
What is Assessed in the 7 Plus Exam?
Generally speaking, selective schools will expect your child to be working ahead of the National Curriculum level for Year 2. Here’s what is assessed in each part of the 7 Plus:
Maths
In maths, your child will be expected to know at least their 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 times tables and apply them in practical scenarios. Basic concepts of time, money and shape, will also be covered. The 7 Plus Maths exam typically includes:
- Problem-solving tasks using basic arithmetic such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
- The need for quick and accurate mental calculations.
- Problems that involve making comparisons or estimates.
Fractions, decimals, and percentages. - Interpreting data, such as graphs and tables.
English
The English paper focuses heavily on creating writing and basic reading comprehension. Your child will be asked to select facts from a reading and make answers in full sentences. The 7 Plus English exam will involve:
- Reading a piece of text and answering questions about it.
- Vocabulary questions requiring the correct definition of words and their use in sentences.
- Grammar and syntax, where the child must identify and correct errors in a sentence or paragraph.
- Spelling questions.
- Writing tasks, in which your child must write a short essay or story based on a prompt.
Reasoning
More schools are now returning to using the reasoning exam because it displays your child’s learning potential. The contents of the reasoning exam are not on the national curriculum and so many parents feel they cannot help their child prepare adequately. This is where our tutors can help.
The reasoning exam is split into two parts:
Verbal
- Puzzles, like identifying the missing word in a series of related words.
- Analogy questions, spotting the relationship between two words and choosing a word that completes the analogy
- Synonym and antonym questions.
- Sorting words into categories based on shared characteristics.
Non-verbal
- Pattern recognition tasks, paying attention to colours, sizes, angles and directions.
- Riddles, sudokus and other word puzzles.
- Spatial awareness tasks using Lego, jigsaw puzzles or even Rubik’s cubes.
- Visual puzzles, interpreting diagrams or images.
- Analysing the properties of different shapes and forms.
- Reading information presented in graphs, tables, or charts.
Interview
A large number of schools now include an interview as part of their 7 Plus assessment process. Interviews typically involve a fairly informal conversation between the child and a senior member of the prep school’s staff.
Compared to 11+ interview questions, the questions children are asked in 7 Plus interviews are more basic and designed to test their ability to speak coherently, relevantly, and confidently. They could be asked about what they enjoy at school, their family, or to describe what they did at the weekend.
The key is to make sure that they give full and relevant answers. Their responses should also be original and spontaneous – not pre-prepared by a parent or tutor. Schools can spot scripted answers and mark them down.
In addition or instead, the 7 Plus exam may include a group interview. This usually consists of a task which several children take part in together with a teacher observing. The school is looking for children who can communicate well with the other children taking part and work well in a team.
What are the benefits of 7 Plus tutoring?
With the aid of a 7 Plus tutor, your child will be fully prepared with what to expect when they see the questions on the exam papers above. They will know what tasks they will have to answer, and how to process them within the allotted time. Here are the three main benefits of taking on a 7 Plus tutor:
- Our tutors are experts at identifying where children excel and where they need the most support in order to provide a fully comprehensive, fully personalised tutoring programme. This will provide them with a far higher chance to be accepted into your chosen academic school to receive a high-quality education.
- Acceptance into your chosen prep school is not only based on the results from the 7 Plus exams. They will take into account your child’s full academic record and personal qualities. Our tutors recognise this. Your child will feel an increased confidence in communicating and learning with a one-on-one tutor. They will reinforce key concepts and skills to help solidify their overall performance.
- Tutoring encourages independence and improved study habits. They will be more in tune with their time management skills and more focused on their learning, which will be instrumental in further academic success.
Find out more about our in-person or online 7 Plus tutoring programme. Call 020 3488 0754 or email us to select a tutor for your child.
