The Tiffin Girls’ School 11+ Test & Preparation Guide

Tiffin Girls’ 11+ Test Overview

The Tiffin Girls’ School test has two academic test stages:

Stage One: English and Maths

Stage One comprises an English paper and a Maths paper. Each test lasts less than 60 minutes, with a short break between the papers.

The English paper is multiple choice. The Maths paper has different question types: some questions may be multiple choice, while others require pupils to record a numerical answer.

All Stage One answers are marked on an OMR answer sheet and marked by computer.

In practical preparation terms, Stage One requires:

• fast and accurate reading
• English comprehension accuracy
• vocabulary strength
• SPAG confidence
• Maths fluency
• problem-solving confidence
• accuracy with numerical answers
• confidence with unfamiliar question formats
• good OMR answer-sheet technique
• the ability to work independently for a sustained period

Stage One OMR and Numerical-Answer Technique

Stage One answer-sheet technique is especially important because pupils must record answers accurately on an OMR sheet.

For the English paper, pupils choose answers from options. For some Maths questions, pupils may also choose a letter. For other Maths questions, pupils need to record numerical answers using digit columns.

Pupils should practise how to:

• match question numbers to answer numbers
• mark a clear line through the selected option
• keep marks within the answer boxes
• record single-digit, two-digit and three-digit numerical answers accurately
• record time-style answers carefully where required
• avoid losing place on the answer sheet
• rub out changed answers properly
• use rough working efficiently
• move on from difficult questions when needed
• return to skipped questions if time allows
• balance speed with accuracy

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

Stage Two: English and Maths

Stage Two tests English and Maths and is similar in length to Stage One. It requires written answers.

The English paper includes:

• a reading comprehension task
• a creative writing task
• some questions requiring longer written answers

The Stage Two Maths paper uses an answer sheet. The school states that no marks are given for calculations or workings out, so pupils must make sure final answers are recorded accurately.

Stage Two preparation should include:

• written English responses
• reading comprehension with clear answers
• grammar, punctuation and spelling accuracy
• creative writing technique
• planning under time pressure
• Maths word problems
• multi-step reasoning
• accurate final-answer recording
• checking answers under time pressure

Curriculum Level and Question Style

The Tiffin Girls’ School assumes that pupils sitting the tests have completed the National Curriculum in English and Maths for Year 5 pupils. The school does not expect pupils to have covered topics beyond this.

However, the tests include some questions in unfamiliar formats. This means pupils need to apply familiar knowledge flexibly rather than relying only on routine school exercises.

The school describes the tests as identifying children who enjoy and are adept at:

• reading
• writing
• thinking creatively
• working with numbers
• problem solving

How the Final Test Mark Is Built

The school’s official FAQ explains that raw marks are standardised and age-weighted.

It also explains that the Combined Mark is made up of 60% English and 40% Maths. The English mark comes from the Stage Two test. The Maths mark comes from the Stage Two test and the Stage One test in a ratio of 3:1.

This is useful for preparation because it shows that written English and Stage Two Maths matter strongly, while Stage One Maths still contributes to the Maths component.

English Preparation for Tiffin Girls’

English is tested in both stages. Stage One includes multiple-choice English, while Stage Two includes reading comprehension, creative writing and longer written answers.

Your child should practise:

• reading comprehension
• retrieving information from a passage
• inference
• vocabulary in context
• synonyms and antonyms
• word choice and meaning
• spelling accuracy
• punctuation accuracy
• grammar and sentence control
• proofreading
• completing sentences with the most appropriate word
• writing answers in full sentences
• creative writing
• planning quickly
• checking written work under time pressure

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

Creative Writing Preparation

The Stage Two English paper includes a creative writing task. Pupils should build flexible writing skills rather than memorising fixed essays.

Pupils should practise how to:

• understand the exact task
• plan quickly
• create a clear opening
• organise writing into paragraphs
• use interesting but controlled vocabulary
• vary sentence length
• use punctuation accurately
• write with a clear purpose
• finish within the time limit
• proofread for spelling, grammar and punctuation

Creative Writing practice should be regular and reviewed carefully. Short, focused writing tasks can be more effective than only attempting long pieces.

Maths Preparation for Tiffin Girls’

Maths is tested in both stages. Stage One includes OMR-style answer recording, including numerical-answer formats. Stage Two uses a Maths answer sheet, and final answers must be recorded accurately.

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
• tables, charts and graphs
• number patterns and sequences
• time problems
• money and unit conversion
• word problems
• multi-step problem solving
• checking final answers carefully
• recording numerical answers accurately

Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:

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

Should Tiffin Girls’ Pupils Practise VR or NVR?

For The Tiffin Girls’ School alone, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning are not core test areas in the current official test description. The school describes Stage One and Stage Two tests in English and Maths.

VR and NVR practice may still be useful if the child is also preparing for another 11+ area that tests those subjects. If Tiffin Girls’ is the main target, preparation time is usually better spent on English, Maths, Maths Word Problems, SPAG, vocabulary, creative writing and timed paper discipline.

Scholars Tutorial Preparation Route for Tiffin Girls’

On the Scholars Tutorial platform, Tiffin Girls’ preparation should focus on English, Maths, Maths Word Problems, SPAG, vocabulary, Creative Writing and written-answer confidence.

The Scholars Tutorial 11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE mixed sets can be useful if a child is preparing for several exam regions. For Tiffin Girls’ alone, English, Maths, Maths Word Problems, SPAG, vocabulary and creative writing should remain the main focus.

Printed Paper Sets for Tiffin Girls’ 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+ English Practice Papers
• 11+ Maths Practice Papers
• 11+ Maths : Word Problems Practice Papers
• 11+ SPAG Practice Papers
• 11+ Foundation English Practice Papers
• 11+ Foundation Maths 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 Two written English development

For Tiffin Girls’, printed practice should be divided into two strands: Stage One English and Maths with OMR-style answer recording, and Stage Two reading comprehension, creative writing and Maths final-answer accuracy.

Suggested Weekly Preparation Plan

A balanced weekly Tiffin Girls’ preparation plan could include:

• 2 days per week: English comprehension, vocabulary or SPAG
• 2 days per week: Maths arithmetic, topic work or word problems
• 1 day per week: Stage One OMR-style English or Maths practice
• 1 day per week: Stage Two written English, comprehension 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 Tiffin Girls’ is a VR/NVR test
• preparing only for multiple choice and ignoring Stage Two written answers
• forgetting that the Maths OMR format can require numerical-answer recording
• doing Maths arithmetic but not word problems
• ignoring vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar
• leaving creative writing too late
• doing papers without reviewing mistakes
• not practising OMR-style answer-sheet accuracy
• memorising writing answers instead of practising flexible written responses
• ignoring unfamiliar question formats
• starting timed work before the child understands the question types
• focusing only on speed instead of accuracy

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Preparation Advice

Tiffin Girls’ preparation should reflect the actual test structure: Stage One English and Maths with OMR answer sheets, followed by Stage Two English and Maths with written answers.

Pupils should build strong reading, vocabulary, SPAG, creative writing, Maths fluency, word-problem and problem-solving 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 English and Maths work, creative writing practice, numerical-answer practice and careful mistake review, pupils can build the confidence and accuracy needed for The Tiffin Girls’ School 11+.