St Olave’s Grammar School 11+ Test & Preparation Guide

St Olave’s Grammar School uses a two-stage 11+ entrance test. Stage 1 is the Selective Eligibility Test, usually called the SET. Stage 2 is a further English and Maths test for candidates who progress beyond Stage 1.

This guide keeps admissions-policy detail aside and focuses on the test itself: what is tested, how Stage 1 and Stage 2 differ, what skills pupils need, and how to prepare using Scholars Tutorial online practice and printed paper sets.

St Olave’s test details can change by admissions year. Parents should check the latest official test information before finalising preparation, while keeping the core preparation areas below in mind.

St Olave’s 11+ Test Overview

The test has two academic stages:

Stage	Subjects / Sections	Format	Preparation Focus
Stage 1 SET	English comprehension, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning	Around 60 multiple-choice questions split into four timed sections.	Fast reading, Maths problem solving, vocabulary, VR logic, NVR patterns and answer-sheet accuracy.
Stage 2 English	Reading and Writing	Reading questions based on fiction or non-fiction passages, plus a writing task.	Comprehension, inference, grammar, vocabulary, creative or purposeful writing, sentence control and proofreading.
Stage 2 Mathematics	Mathematics problem solving	Around 30 questions of generally increasing difficulty.	Arithmetic, number, algebraic thinking, shape, measures, data, probability and unfamiliar problem solving.

Accuracy note: St Olave’s Stage 1 SET includes English comprehension, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Stage 2 focuses on English and Mathematics.

Stage 1 SET Format

The St Olave’s Stage 1 Selective Eligibility Test consists of around 60 questions split into four sections:

Section A: English comprehension
Section B: Mathematics
Section C: Verbal Reasoning
Section D: Non-Verbal Reasoning

The test lasts for one hour. Candidates are told when to start and finish each section.

All questions are multiple choice. In each section, pupils choose the correct answer from five possible options and mark their answer on an answer sheet.

Preparation Priority for Stage 1

Stage 1 is a broad mixed test. Pupils need to prepare all four areas, not just English and Maths. Regular timed practice across English comprehension, Maths, VR and NVR is essential.

Stage 1 English Comprehension Preparation

Stage 1 English focuses on comprehension. Pupils need to read accurately and answer quickly under time pressure.

Your child should practise:

reading fiction and non-fiction passages
retrieving information accurately
inference
vocabulary in context
synonyms and antonyms
word meaning
grammar and sentence awareness
identifying tone, mood and purpose
choosing the best answer from close options
working quickly without guessing carelessly

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

Stage 1 Maths Preparation

Stage 1 Maths is multiple choice and rewards speed, accuracy and problem-solving confidence.

Your child should practise:

times tables and mental arithmetic
written addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
fractions
decimals
percentages
money, time and metric measures
ratio and proportion
area and perimeter
shape and angles
data interpretation
number patterns
multi-step word problems
checking calculations quickly
using answer options intelligently

Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:

11+ Maths
11+ Maths : Word Problems
11+ Foundation Maths, if basics need strengthening
11+ Advanced Maths, for stronger pupils

Stage 1 Verbal Reasoning Preparation

Verbal Reasoning tests vocabulary, word relationships and logical thinking with language.

Your child should practise:

word meanings
synonyms and antonyms
compound words
letter and word codes
logical word sequences
odd-one-out word questions
verbal analogies
vocabulary-based reasoning
careful instruction reading
answer elimination

Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:

11+ VR
11+ Foundation VR, if basics need strengthening
11+ Advanced VOCAB
11+ SPAG, for language accuracy support

Stage 1 Non-Verbal Reasoning Preparation

Non-Verbal Reasoning tests visual logic, shape relationships and spatial problem solving.

Your child should practise:

odd-one-out shapes
shape sequences
matrices
rotation
reflection
symmetry
folding and nets
3D cube awareness
shape codes
spatial awareness
visual problem solving under time pressure

Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:

11+ NVR
11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE mixed sets

Stage 1 Answer-Sheet Technique

Stage 1 requires pupils to mark answers clearly on an answer sheet. The sample test instructions explain that the answer-sheet numbers correspond to the question numbers and that pupils must place a solid mark on the correct letter.

Pupils should practise how to:

match each question to the correct answer-sheet number
mark only one answer unless the question says otherwise
rub out changed answers completely
avoid accidental marks
keep pace across four timed sections
move on from difficult questions
return to skipped questions if time allows
avoid losing place between the booklet and answer sheet

Scholars Tutorial printed paper sets support Multiple Choice Format practice, which helps pupils build confidence with answer selection and answer-sheet discipline.

Stage 2 English Test Preparation

The Stage 2 English sample material shows two sections:

Section One: reading, using multiple-choice questions based on fiction or non-fiction passages, plus some basic grammar
Section Two: writing, with a task in line with school writing tasks

The English test lasts one hour, with marks allocated equally between the reading and writing sections. Pupils are advised to spend about the same amount of time on each section and to check their writing before the end.

For Stage 2 English, pupils should practise:

reading fiction and non-fiction passages carefully
answering multiple-choice comprehension questions
inference and deduction
vocabulary and word choice
basic grammar
planning writing quickly
choosing a suitable form and content for the task
paragraphing clearly
using punctuation accurately and expressively
using vocabulary creatively
spelling accurately
checking and correcting writing under time pressure

Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:

11+ English
11+ SPAG
11+ Advanced English
11+ Advanced VOCAB
11+ Advanced SPAG
Creative Writing

Stage 2 Writing Preparation

Stage 2 writing preparation should focus on flexible written communication, not memorised essays.

Pupils should practise how to:

understand the exact task
choose an appropriate form, such as a letter, article, story or speech
plan ideas quickly
write a clear opening
organise ideas into paragraphs
develop points with detail
use varied sentence structure
use ambitious but controlled vocabulary
punctuate accurately
finish within the time limit
proofread for spelling, grammar and punctuation

Short, frequent writing tasks with careful feedback are often more useful than occasional long essays with little review.

Stage 2 Maths Test Preparation

The Stage 2 Maths sample material describes a paper of around 30 questions of generally increasing difficulty. The paper lasts one hour and includes problem-solving questions that may apply familiar concepts in unfamiliar situations.

Stage 2 Maths topics include:

addition and subtraction of whole numbers and decimals
multiplication and division
money, time, length and mass
fractions
percentages
primes, factors, multiples and squares
number patterns and sequences
simple algebra and unknown values
coordinates in the first quadrant
2D nets and 3D shapes
line and rotational symmetry
perimeter and area
volume by counting cubes
frequency tables
line graphs and frequency diagrams
mode and median
simple probability
unfamiliar multi-step problem solving

The sample instructions state that no calculators are allowed and that pupils should show their workings in the space provided.

Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:

11+ Maths
11+ Maths : Word Problems
11+ Foundation Maths, if basics need strengthening
11+ Advanced Maths, for stronger pupils

Scholars Tutorial Preparation Route for St Olave’s

On the Scholars Tutorial platform, St Olave’s preparation should be split into Stage 1 broad mixed practice and Stage 2 English and Maths depth.

Recommended Online Route for Stage 1 SET

11+ Core Subjects → 11+ English
11+ Core Subjects → 11+ Maths
11+ Core Subjects → 11+ Maths : Word Problems
11+ Core Subjects → 11+ VR
11+ Core Subjects → 11+ NVR
11+ Mock Exams → 11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE
11+ Mock Exams → 11+ SPAG
11+ Foundation → 11+ Foundation Maths, if basics need strengthening
11+ Foundation → 11+ Foundation English, if basics need strengthening
11+ Foundation → 11+ Foundation VR, if basics need strengthening
11+ Advanced → 11+ Advanced VOCAB, for vocabulary development

Recommended Online Route for Stage 2

11+ Core Subjects → 11+ English
11+ Core Subjects → 11+ Maths
11+ Core Subjects → 11+ Maths : Word Problems
11+ Advanced → Creative Writing
11+ Advanced → 11+ Advanced English
11+ Advanced → 11+ Advanced Maths
11+ Advanced → 11+ Advanced VOCAB
11+ Advanced → 11+ Advanced SPAG

Stage 1 needs broad mixed practice across English, Maths, VR and NVR. Stage 2 needs deeper English, writing and Maths problem-solving practice.

Printed Paper Sets for St Olave’s Preparation

Printed paper sets are useful because they help pupils practise concentration, timing, answer selection, written responses and full-paper discipline.

Useful Scholars Tutorial printed paper sets include:

11+ Mixed Practice Papers, especially for Stage 1-style mixed practice
11+ English Practice Papers
11+ Maths Practice Papers
11+ Maths : Word Problems Practice Papers
11+ Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers
11+ SPAG Practice Papers
11+ Foundation English Practice Papers
11+ Foundation Maths Practice Papers
11+ Foundation Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers
11+ Advanced English Practice Papers
11+ Advanced Maths Practice Papers
11+ Advanced VOCAB Practice Papers
11+ Advanced SPAG Practice Papers
Creative Writing practice, for Stage 2 writing development

For St Olave’s, printed practice should be divided into two strands: Stage 1 mixed multiple-choice practice, and Stage 2 English writing plus Maths problem solving.

Suggested Weekly Preparation Plan

A balanced Stage 1 preparation plan could include:

2 days per week: Maths and word problems
2 days per week: English comprehension, vocabulary or SPAG
1 day per week: Verbal Reasoning
1 day per week: Non-Verbal Reasoning
1 day per week: mixed timed practice and mistake review

A balanced Stage 2 preparation plan could include:

2 days per week: English comprehension and grammar
1 day per week: writing or Creative Writing
2 to 3 days per week: Maths problem solving and word problems
1 day per week: full-paper practice and detailed mistake review

Common Preparation Mistakes

Avoid these common mistakes:

preparing only English and Maths and ignoring Stage 1 VR and NVR
doing only mixed multiple-choice practice and ignoring Stage 2 writing
leaving NVR until the final weeks
doing Verbal Reasoning without building vocabulary
doing Maths arithmetic but not multi-step problems
ignoring answer-sheet technique for Stage 1
memorising writing answers instead of practising flexible written responses
not practising timed writing
doing papers without reviewing mistakes
starting timed work before the child understands the question types
focusing only on speed instead of accuracy

Frequently Asked Questions

What subjects are tested in St Olave’s Stage 1?

Stage 1 SET includes English comprehension, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

What is the Stage 1 format?

The Stage 1 SET consists of around 60 multiple-choice questions split into four sections. The test lasts one hour.

What subjects are tested in Stage 2?

Stage 2 focuses on English and Mathematics.

What is in the Stage 2 English test?

The Stage 2 English sample material includes a reading section with multiple-choice questions based on fiction or non-fiction passages, plus a writing section.

What is in the Stage 2 Maths test?

The Stage 2 Maths sample material describes around 30 questions of generally increasing difficulty, covering number, algebraic thinking, shape, space, measures, data and problem solving.

Should pupils practise Creative Writing?

Yes. Stage 2 English includes a writing task, so pupils should practise planning, paragraphing, vocabulary, punctuation, spelling and flexible written responses.

Which Scholars Tutorial subjects are best for St Olave’s Stage 1?

Useful subjects include 11+ English, 11+ Maths, 11+ Maths : Word Problems, 11+ VR, 11+ NVR, 11+ SPAG, Advanced VOCAB and 11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE mixed sets.

Which Scholars Tutorial subjects are best for St Olave’s Stage 2?

Useful subjects include 11+ English, 11+ Maths, 11+ Maths : Word Problems, Creative Writing, Advanced English, Advanced Maths, Advanced VOCAB and Advanced SPAG.

Are printed paper sets useful?

Yes. Printed paper sets help pupils practise English, Maths, VR, NVR, SPAG, Creative Writing, timing, answer-sheet accuracy, written answers and full-paper discipline.

Final Preparation Advice

St Olave’s preparation should reflect the actual two-stage structure. Stage 1 requires broad mixed practice across English comprehension, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Stage 2 requires deeper English, writing and Maths problem-solving preparation.

Pupils should build strong reading, vocabulary, SPAG, VR, NVR, Maths fluency, word-problem and writing 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 mixed practice, writing practice, Maths problem solving and careful mistake review, pupils can build the confidence and accuracy needed for the St Olave’s Grammar School 11+.