What is the 7 plus?
The 7+ exam is designed for children who are in Year 2, typically around the age of six or seven. These exams are usually held in the January of their Year 2 school year and are used to assess the readiness and suitability of students for admission in Year 3 to their chosen school.
The 7+ entry assessments will vary from school to school so it is important to find out how your chosen school will conduct their assessments. Most schools, however, will evaluate children based on their fundamental skills in reading, writing, and maths, typically through English and Maths papers. While some schools may incorporate assessments in verbal and non-verbal reasoning, these are less common.
The English paper typically comprises a comprehension section, where children read a passage and answer questions to showcase their understanding, and a creative composition task, where they may be given the beginning of a story to continue for example. In the Maths paper, a significant portion assesses children's foundational knowledge of number and the four operations, including mental arithmetic and problem-solving questions.
Many schools will also include an interview section, often involving an informal conversation between the child and a senior staff member as well as a group task. These are usually conducted in a classroom setting and will task the children with completing a challenge or solving a problem together. This allows the staff member to observe their ability to communicate effectively, collaborate with peers and think critically.
This guide aims to explain:
- Format of the 7 Plus exam
- 7 Plus Maths
- 7 Plus English
- Reading Comprehension
- Story Writing
- Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar
- 7 Plus Reasoning
- How can I prepare my child for the 7 plus exam?
- How competitive is the 7 plus?
- What does a school look for at 7 plus?
What age is the 7 plus for?
The 7+ exam is designed for children who are in Year 2, typically around the age of six or seven. These exams are usually held in the January of their Year 2 school year and are used to assess the readiness and suitability of students for admission in Year 3 to their chosen school.
Format of the 7 plus Exam
Whilst the exact format of the 7+ varies between schools, it typically involves an assessment in English and Maths, and, in some instances a separate assessment in Reasoning. Most 7+ assessments are paper-based and sat in person at the school a child is applying to. However, some schools, such as , do include an online assessment as a part of their entrance procedure. Some of the more competitive schools, such as and , have multi-staged admissions process requiring applicants to sit an initial assessment in advance of the main 7+ exam or assessment day.
Although the format of the exam can be different from school to school, the content is typically broken down in to the following parts:
- A maths paper (mainly based around the four number operations)
- A writing element
- A comprehension element
What are the expectations for 7+ Maths?
The expectations for 7+ Maths are that the child should be familiar with the whole of the KS1 mathematics curriculum and sometimes beyond (although exams are sat before the end of the academic year). The 7+ exam will last for between 30 and 40 minutes and children need to be familiar with mental and written calculation methods for the four number operations and have a good working knowledge of their timetables. It is also useful for them to have experience with word problems and exposure to typical mathematical vocabulary. Although you should consult the KS1 of the National Curriculum, schools do also set out the topics they assess and therefore expect students to be familiar with. An example of such a school is St Paul鈥檚 Junior School who share a detailed upon which their 7+ examination is set.
In broad terms, students should be familiar with the following topics:
- Counting, properties of numbers and number sequences
- Understanding addition and subtraction: Rapid recall of addition and subtraction facts, Mental calculation strategies for addition and subtraction
- Understanding multiplication and division: Rapid recall of multiplication and division facts, Mental calculation strategies for multiplication and division
- Place value and ordering
- Estimating and rounding
- Fractions
- Money and measures
- Shapes and space (2D shapes)
- Problem Solving
What are the expectations for 7+ English?
The expectations for 7+ English are that the child should be familiar with the whole of the KS1 curriculum and sometimes beyond (although exams are sat before the end of the academic year). Children need to be able to read fluently and answer comprehension questions in full sentences. They are also expected to be able to write at least half an A4 page composition with a clear beginning, middle and end story structure. They are expected to use simple sentence punctuation as well as descriptive vocabulary. They should also be familiar with spelling patterns up to the end of the KS1 spelling lists and sometimes beyond.
7+ English examinations assess the following areas:
Reading Comprehension
Applicants are required to read and understand an age-appropriate passage, which could be fiction or non-fiction. Candidates will be expected to understand the text and be able to answer questions about it. They will be required to write in full sentences when supplying their answers. The types of questions they are likely to be asked are as follows:
- Age-appropriate and beyond age-appropriate word meaning
- Literal questions (i.e. questions that require students to identify the answers directly from the text)
- Reasoning Questions (i.e. questions that require students to deduce, infer or interpret information, events, or ideas from texts)
Story Writing:
Candidates are typically asked to complete an extended piece of creative writing. They are given between 25 and 35 minutes to complete this. They are normally presented with a choice of two to four titles, one of which may follow on from or relate to the text used for the comprehension. Sample titles include:
- My favourite holiday
- My first day at school
- The long journey
Schools typically want to see a story with:
- A clear beginning, middle and end
- Good use of language, including adjectives, adverbs, connectives, sentence openers and similes
- Good use of the 5 senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste
- Good (and interesting!) vocabulary
- Good spelling, punctuation and grammar
Spelling, Punctuation & Grammar:
Some schools also set separate spelling punctuation and grammar tests. An example of such a school is Westminster Cathedral Choir School 鈥� see the following descriptions:
What are the expectations for 7+ Reasoning?
Whilst the majority of schools don't assess reasoning separately at the 7+ level, some do, such as . Most schools include reasoning questions in both the English and Maths papers in the following forms:
English
- Verbal reasoning appears within most English 7+ papers
- Students are required to understand age-appropriate and beyond age-appropriate vocabulary
- Students should also be able to decode and comprehend words in context
Maths 鈥� Non-Verbal Reasoning appears in 7+ Maths papers in the form of questions requiring students to:
- Identify patterns and complete series
- Identify codes and complete series
- Spot similarities
- Spot the odd one out
- Complete basic matrices
Reasoning, especially Non-Verbal Reasoning, will be a very new skill to most 7+ applicants and as such familiarisation with the types of questions they might encounter is crucial.
In addition to the above, we would recommend that parents:
- Encourage reading, as this helps to build vocabulary
- Play word games at home, such as Bananagrams
- Set them word related challenges such as anagrams, word searches, spelling lists
How can I prepare my child for the 7+ exam?
Preparing your child for the 7+ exam requires a structured and supportive approach that focuses on developing their skills and confidence.
Here are some tips to help you prepare your child effectively:
- Understand the Exam Format: Familiarise yourself with the format and content of the 7+ exam. Each school might have different requirements, so make sure you know what to expect from your chosen school.
- Start Early and Build a Schedule: Begin preparations well in advance. Starting early allows your child to progress at their own pace and reduces last-minute stress and pressure. If you feel your child needs extra support, consider hiring a tutor or enrolling them in a programme designed for the 7+ exam. Create a balanced schedule and build in habits that include short and snappy regular learning sessions, breaks and time for creative activities, hobbies and play.
- Focus on Basic Skills: Ensure your child has a strong foundation in basic skills such as reading, writing and maths. Help them form a daily reading habit and try to foster a love for reading. This can include reading aloud for ten minutes to you, spending time reading independently or even listening to audiobooks. Regular reading not only improves vocabulary but also enhances comprehension skills and creativity. You can also practise writing short stories or completing daily journal entries to encourage a build up of written skills. There are also plenty of word games, problem solving puzzles and fun activities you can do at home which will help build these foundational skills as well as being really enjoyable at the same time!
- Practice Sample Papers and Mock Interviews: Closer to the time of assessment, you can use past exam papers and sample questions to familiarise your child with the exam format. This will help them understand the types of questions which could be asked as well as working on their time management skills. If interviews are part of the admission process, you can conduct mini mock interviews at home to help your child feel more confident and comfortable in such settings as well as having informal conversations around the kitchen table at home to encourage more detailed answers.
- Stay Positive and Supportive: Finally, maintain a positive and supportive attitude. Encourage your child's efforts and celebrate their achievements, no matter how small. Avoid putting too much pressure on them and remember that this will most likely be their first experience of a more formal exam setting which understandably, can feel very daunting. Ensure your child gets plenty of sleep, eats nutritious meals, engages in physical activities and still has lots of time to enjoy their hobbies and friends. A healthy lifestyle contributes significantly to cognitive abilities.
Remember that every child is different, so tailor your approach to suit your child's learning style and pace. Be patient, understanding and supportive throughout the preparation process.
Keystone Tutor Abigail gives her top tips for 7+ exam preparation
"Look for opportunities to prepare in everyday activities. For example, if preparing your child for a dictation element, be sure to play audiobooks while they're in the car or during down time at home. Play games like Bananagrams and hangman to help with their spelling.
Turn as much of the preparation as you can into a game; times tables practice and number bonds can be made a lot more fun by incorporating then into a ball game.鈥�
How competitive is the 7+?
The competitiveness of the 7+ exam will vary based on the school itself, its location, its academic standing and the cohort taking the exam. In areas with high demand for prep school placements, the 7+ exam can be highly competitive due to the limited number of available spots. The number of applicants often exceeds the available places, meaning the selection process can be challenging. However, the level of competition will differ among schools.
What does a school look for at 7+?
When assessing students for 7+ entry, schools will be looking for a number of qualities and skills that indicate a child's readiness to join them in Year3. Some key attributes schools often look for include strong foundational skills in English and Maths, an enthusiasm for learning, good communication skills, the ability to work well with others and a curious, inquisitive nature. Additionally, schools will also look at a child's social and emotional development, looking for qualities such as resilience, adaptability and a positive attitude towards challenges. While academic abilities are important, schools also value traits such as creativity, critical thinking and a willingness to engage with a variety of subjects and activities. Being well-rounded and demonstrating a genuine passion for learning and exploration are qualities that make a 7+ candidate stand out to schools.
7+ Interviews
Preparing a child for a 7+ interview involves focusing on their communication, confidence and reasoning skills. We suggest parents regularly engage in open-ended conversations to help your child articulate their ideas and expand on answers. During the interview, children might face questions about their family, interests and opinions, as well as hypothetical or comprehension questions. Interviewers want to gain insight into a child鈥檚 personality, thought processes and ability to engage.
For further details read our Guide on 7+ Interview Questions.
7 plus tuition
妻友社区 have a number of highly experienced 7 Plus tutors who can help with exam and interview preparation, wherever you are in the world.
For more details on how Keystone can help prepare your child for the 7 Plus, please call the office for a chat with one of our client managers, or contact us via our request a tutor form.