Tiffin School 11+ Test & Preparation Guide

Tiffin School 11+ Test Overview

The Tiffin School 11+ process has two academic test stages:

Stage One: English and Maths

Stage One tests English and Maths. All Stage One answers are marked on an OMR answer sheet that is marked by computer.

The tests are typically between 40 and 60 minutes each, with a break between the papers. The exact number of questions, timings and question types can change because new papers are written each year.

In practical preparation terms, Stage One requires:

• secure Year 5 English and Maths foundations
• fast and accurate reading
• strong vocabulary
• SPAG accuracy
• Maths fluency
• problem-solving confidence
• comfort with unfamiliar question formats
• good OMR answer-sheet technique
• the ability to work independently for a sustained period

Stage Two: English and Maths

Stage Two also assesses English and Maths, but it requires written answers. Some questions on the English paper require longer written responses.

Answers are marked by experienced English and Maths teachers. This means pupils need to do more than select an answer choice: they must show clear understanding, write accurately and solve problems carefully.

Stage Two preparation should include:

• written English responses
• reading comprehension with evidence
• grammar, punctuation and spelling accuracy
• clear sentence construction
• creative and analytical thinking
• Maths word problems
• multi-step reasoning
• clear written working in Maths
• checking answers under time pressure

Curriculum Level and Question Style

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

However, the tests include some questions in unfamiliar formats. This means preparation should not rely only on routine school exercises. Pupils need to apply familiar knowledge in flexible ways.

The school describes the tests as aimed at identifying boys who enjoy and are confident in:

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

English Preparation for Tiffin School

English is tested in both stages. Stage One includes OMR-style English questions, while Stage Two includes written English answers and longer written responses.

Your child should practise:

• reading comprehension
• retrieving information from a passage
• inference
• vocabulary in context
• synonyms and antonyms
• odd-one-out vocabulary questions
• prefixes, suffixes and word meanings
• spelling accuracy
• punctuation accuracy
• grammar and sentence control
• proofreading
• completing sentences with the most appropriate word
• written explanation of meaning and effect
• longer written answers
• creative or extended writing

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

Maths Preparation for Tiffin School

Maths is tested in both stages. The school’s illustrative material shows that pupils need secure calculation skills, flexible problem solving and the ability to handle unfamiliar formats.

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
• reflection, symmetry and spatial interpretation where needed for Maths diagrams
• 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 calculations carefully
• showing clear working for written-answer questions

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 One OMR and Answer-Sheet Technique

Stage One uses an OMR answer sheet. English answers are selected from options. Maths answers may involve selected options or numerical responses depending on the format used.

Pupils should practise how to:

• match question numbers to answer numbers
• mark answers clearly and neatly
• 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
• check calculations before marking final answers
• 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 Written Answer Technique

Stage Two requires written answers, so pupils need to develop clear written communication as well as subject knowledge.

For Stage Two English, pupils should practise:

• reading the task carefully
• answering the exact question set
• using evidence from the text where appropriate
• explaining word choices and descriptions
• writing in complete sentences
• using accurate punctuation
• checking spelling and grammar
• writing longer answers under time pressure

For Stage Two Maths, pupils should practise:

• showing working clearly
• setting out multi-step reasoning
• checking final answers
• using units correctly
• interpreting diagrams, tables and charts
• solving unfamiliar problems without relying on answer options

Should Tiffin Pupils Practise VR or NVR?

For Tiffin 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 School is the main target, preparation time is usually better spent on English, Maths, Maths Word Problems, SPAG, vocabulary, written English and timed paper discipline.

Scholars Tutorial Preparation Route for Tiffin School

On the Scholars Tutorial platform, Tiffin School 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 School alone, English, Maths, Maths Word Problems, SPAG and written English should remain the main focus.

Printed Paper Sets for Tiffin School 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+ 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 School, printed practice should be divided into two strands: multiple-choice English and Maths for Stage One, and written English and Maths reasoning for Stage Two.

Suggested Weekly Preparation Plan

A balanced weekly Tiffin School 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 multiple-choice English or Maths practice
• 1 day per week: Stage Two written English or written Maths practice
• 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 School is a VR/NVR test
• preparing only for multiple choice and ignoring Stage Two written answers
• doing Maths arithmetic but not word problems
• ignoring vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar
• 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 School 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, written English, 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, written-answer practice and careful mistake review, pupils can build the confidence and accuracy needed for the Tiffin School 11+.