The Latymer School 11+ Test & Preparation Guide
The Latymer School 11+ entrance process is built around three core test areas: Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and written English.
This focused guide keeps admissions-policy detail aside and concentrates on the exam itself: what is tested, how the papers work, what skills pupils need, and how to prepare using Scholars Tutorial online practice and printed paper sets.
Latymer 11+ Test Overview
The Latymer School entrance assessment has two main parts:
| Test Area | Provider / Setter | What Pupils Need to Prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | GL Assessment | Key Stage 2 Maths, problem solving, arithmetic, word problems and multiple-choice answer-sheet accuracy. |
| Verbal Reasoning | GL Assessment | Vocabulary, word relationships, verbal logic, codes, patterns and careful instruction reading. |
| Written English | Set by The Latymer School | Reading, written response, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, planning, structure and accuracy under time pressure. |
How the Marking Sequence Works
The Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning paper is marked first. Candidates who rank highly enough in this first stage then have their written English paper marked.
In current official wording, candidates in the Top 700 after the Maths and Verbal Reasoning test have their English paper marked.
This matters for preparation. Pupils need strong Maths and Verbal Reasoning to reach the English marking stage, but they should not leave English preparation until later. Written English takes time to develop.
Preparation Priority
Prepare Maths, Verbal Reasoning and English together from the start. Maths and VR are the first selection filter, but English can become decisive once the written paper is marked.
Mathematics Test Preparation
Latymer Maths preparation should focus on secure Key Stage 2 knowledge, fast arithmetic, multi-step problem solving and accurate multiple-choice technique.
Your child should practise:
- times tables and mental arithmetic
- written addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
- fractions
- decimals
- percentages
- ratio and proportion
- measurement and units
- area, perimeter and volume
- geometry and angles
- statistics and data handling
- number patterns
- word problems
- multi-step reasoning
- checking calculations under time pressure
Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:
- 11+ Maths
- 11+ Maths : Word Problems
- 11+ Foundation Maths, if basics need strengthening
- 11+ Advanced Maths, for stronger pupils
Verbal Reasoning Test Preparation
Verbal Reasoning preparation should combine vocabulary development with regular question-type practice. Pupils need to recognise patterns quickly and read instructions accurately.
Your child should practise:
- synonyms and antonyms
- word meanings
- word relationships
- compound words
- letter and word codes
- logical word sequences
- vocabulary-based reasoning
- careful instruction reading
- eliminating incorrect answer choices
- answer-sheet accuracy
- timed verbal reasoning sections
Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:
- 11+ VR
- 11+ Foundation VR, if basics need strengthening
- 11+ Advanced VOCAB
- 11+ SPAG, for language accuracy support
Written English Test Preparation
Latymer’s English paper is set by the school and is written rather than purely multiple choice. Pupils need to write clearly, accurately and directly in response to the task set.
Your child should practise:
- reading comprehension
- inference and evidence from text
- vocabulary in context
- planning written responses quickly
- writing with clear structure
- accurate grammar and punctuation
- varied sentence structure
- precise vocabulary
- proofreading under time pressure
- answering the exact question rather than a memorised task
- creative or extended writing practice
Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:
- 11+ English
- 11+ SPAG
- 11+ Foundation English, if basics need strengthening
- 11+ Advanced English
- 11+ Advanced VOCAB
- 11+ Advanced SPAG
- Creative Writing
Multiple Choice and OMR Technique
The Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning paper uses answer sheets marked by Optical Mark Recognition. Pupils need to practise not only getting answers right, but also recording them accurately.
For Maths and Verbal Reasoning, pupils should practise:
- matching question numbers to answer numbers
- marking answers clearly
- not losing place on the answer sheet
- using rough working efficiently
- moving on from difficult questions when needed
- returning to skipped questions if time allows
- checking calculations before marking final answers
- balancing speed with accuracy
Scholars Tutorial printed paper sets support Multiple Choice Format practice, which helps pupils build confidence with timed answer selection.
Written Answer Technique
The written English paper requires a different type of preparation from the GL multiple-choice section.
Pupils should practise how to:
- read the task carefully
- plan a response quickly
- write a clear opening
- organise ideas into paragraphs
- use precise vocabulary
- control sentence length and punctuation
- stay relevant to the question
- leave time to check spelling and grammar
Strong written English is not built by memorising model answers. Pupils should practise flexible writing skills so they can respond to unfamiliar tasks.
Scholars Tutorial Preparation Route for Latymer
On the Scholars Tutorial platform, Latymer preparation should be built around Maths, Maths Word Problems, Verbal Reasoning, English, SPAG, vocabulary and Creative Writing.
Recommended Online Route
- 11+ Core Subjects → 11+ Maths
- 11+ Core Subjects → 11+ Maths : Word Problems
- 11+ Core Subjects → 11+ VR
- 11+ Core Subjects → 11+ English
- 11+ Mock Exams → 11+ SPAG
- 11+ Foundation → 11+ Foundation Maths, if basics need strengthening
- 11+ Foundation → 11+ Foundation VR, if basics need strengthening
- 11+ Foundation → 11+ Foundation English, if basics need strengthening
- 11+ Advanced → 11+ Advanced Maths, for stronger pupils
- 11+ Advanced → 11+ Advanced VOCAB, for vocabulary development
- 11+ Advanced → 11+ Advanced English, for written English strength
- 11+ Advanced → 11+ Advanced SPAG, for language accuracy
- 11+ Advanced → Creative Writing, for written English development
The Scholars Tutorial 11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE mixed sets can be useful if a child is preparing for several exam regions. For Latymer alone, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and written English should remain the main focus.
Non-Verbal Reasoning should be added only if the child is also preparing for another exam area that tests NVR.
Printed Paper Sets for Latymer Preparation
Printed paper sets are useful because they help pupils practise concentration, timing, answer selection and full-paper discipline.
Useful Scholars Tutorial printed paper sets include:
- 11+ Maths Practice Papers
- 11+ Maths : Word Problems Practice Papers
- 11+ Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers
- 11+ English Practice Papers
- 11+ SPAG Practice Papers
- 11+ Foundation Maths Practice Papers
- 11+ Foundation Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers
- 11+ Foundation English Practice Papers
- 11+ Advanced Maths Practice Papers
- 11+ Advanced English Practice Papers
- 11+ Advanced VOCAB Practice Papers
- 11+ Advanced SPAG Practice Papers
- Creative Writing practice, for written English development
For Latymer, printed practice should be divided into two strands: multiple-choice Maths and Verbal Reasoning for the GL section, and written English practice for the school-set paper.
Suggested Weekly Preparation Plan
A balanced weekly Latymer preparation plan could include:
- 2 days per week: Maths arithmetic, topic work or word problems
- 2 days per week: Verbal Reasoning and vocabulary
- 1 day per week: English comprehension, SPAG or vocabulary
- 1 day per week: written English or Creative Writing
- 1 day per week: timed paper practice and mistake review
Pupils closer to the test can gradually increase timed practice. Pupils still building foundations should use shorter focused sessions and review mistakes carefully.
Common Preparation Mistakes
Avoid these common mistakes:
- assuming Latymer uses Non-Verbal Reasoning
- preparing only Maths and VR while leaving written English too late
- doing Verbal Reasoning practice without building vocabulary
- doing Maths arithmetic but not word problems
- ignoring OMR-style answer-sheet accuracy
- doing papers without reviewing mistakes
- memorising English responses instead of practising flexible writing
- starting timed work before the child understands the question types
- focusing only on speed instead of accuracy
Frequently Asked Questions
What subjects are tested for Latymer?
The Latymer School uses GL Assessment Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning tests, plus a written English paper set by the school.
Does Latymer test Non-Verbal Reasoning?
Current official test information lists Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and written English. Non-Verbal Reasoning is not a core Latymer test area.
Who sets the Latymer English paper?
The written English paper is set by The Latymer School and marked by school staff.
What does Top 700 mean for preparation?
Candidates in the Top 700 after the Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning test have their English paper marked. This means Maths and VR are the first priority filter, but written English should be prepared from the start.
Which Scholars Tutorial subjects are best for Latymer?
Useful subjects include 11+ Maths, 11+ Maths : Word Problems, 11+ VR, 11+ English, 11+ SPAG, Advanced Maths, Advanced VOCAB, Advanced English, Advanced SPAG and Creative Writing.
Are printed paper sets useful?
Yes. Printed paper sets help pupils practise Maths, Verbal Reasoning, English, timing, answer-sheet accuracy, written English and full-paper discipline.
Final Preparation Advice
Latymer preparation should reflect the actual test structure: GL Assessment Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning first, plus a school-set written English paper.
Pupils should build strong Maths, Verbal Reasoning, vocabulary, English comprehension, SPAG and written English skills, supported by regular mistake review.
The Scholars Tutorial online platform helps pupils strengthen the key test areas through organised subject categories, while printed paper sets help children practise with realistic exam discipline.
By combining online practice, printed paper sets, timed Maths and Verbal Reasoning work, written English practice and careful mistake review, pupils can build the confidence and accuracy needed for The Latymer School 11+.