The 7 Plus Exam: A Complete Guide

In this guide, our tuition experts are focusing on the 7 Plus: an entrance exam used by many prep schools to assess children for entry into Year 3. We’ll cover what the 7 Plus exam is, when it’s taken, what it tests, and how to prepare.

What is the 7 Plus exam?

The 7 Plus exam is a selective entrance test for children aged 6-7, used by a large number of independent prep schools, especially in London, to admit pupils into Year 3. It’s often the first major exam a child encounters.

For sought-after schools, it can be highly competitive – there are often far more applicants than places. The exam typically involves written tests in English and maths, and sometimes reasoning papers, followed by a short interview or group activity for children who pass the written stage.

Many independent prep schools use the 7 Plus as an entry point because they either start at Year 3 or add new places at that stage. Gaining entry via the 7 Plus means your child can join a sought-after prep school early on, often avoiding the need for a later 11 Plus exam for that school.

When will my child sit the exam?

Most 7 Plus exams take place in Year 2, typically in the winter months. A large number of schools hold the exam in November or December (for entry the following September), though some schedule it in January. Always check the dates for each school you’re considering well in advance and note the registration deadlines, which can be up to a year before entry.

What is the exam format?

While every school sets its own papers, most 7 Plus exams include similar tests:

English

A reading comprehension exercise (where the child reads a passage and answers questions) and a creative writing task. Some schools also include a short spelling, punctuation, or grammar exercise as part of the English paper.

Maths

A written maths paper including addition, subtraction, basic multiplication and division, simple fractions, word problems involving money or time, and recognising shapes and patterns.

Reasoning

Many schools – especially competitive London preps – include a Verbal and/or Non-Verbal Reasoning test. These are logic puzzles using words and patterns (for example, finding the odd one out in a list of words, or the next shape in a sequence).

Each of these papers usually lasts around 30 minutes.

Interview

Many schools have an interview stage – either on the same day as the written tests, or as a second round for those who perform well in the first stage.

This can be an informal 1-1 interview or a group activity. Usually these are short, friendly sessions where teachers might chat with the child about their interests or give a simple task or game to a small group. The idea is to observe the child’s social skills, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Which schools require the 7 Plus?

A large number of prestigious prep schools use the 7 Plus exam as an entry point into Year 3.

In London, for example, well-known schools like Westminster Under School, St Paul’s Juniors, City of London School for Girls, Highgate, Dulwich College Junior School, Alleyn’s Junior School, and others have 7 Plus admissions.

Outside of London, several independent schools around the UK (such as the junior departments of certain boys’ and girls’ schools) also offer 7 Plus entry.

What does the 7 Plus test?

The 7 Plus exam focuses on the core skills children have developed by the end of Year 2, with an emphasis on English, Maths, and often Reasoning ability. Here’s a closer look at each area:

Maths

The 7 Plus maths paper at a minimum will check a child’s understanding of Key Stage 1 mathematics (up to Year 2 level). However, competitive schools will expect their pupils to be performing comfortably beyond the national curriculum, so you can expect Year 3 topics to come up if you’re aiming for big names.

Key topics include:

Basic arithmetic

Confident addition and subtraction (e.g. two-digit numbers), as well as basic multiplication and division. By the exam, children should ideally know common times tables and be comfortable with simple division concepts (like sharing and grouping).

Number sense

Understanding place value (tens and ones), number bonds (pairs of numbers that add up to 10, 20, etc.), and simple fractions (like ½ or ¼ of a shape or quantity). Quick mental maths skills (such as doubling, halving, or adding/subtracting 10) are very useful.

Word problems

Applying maths to real-life scenarios. For example, problems involving money (calculating totals or change), time (reading clocks and computing durations), or quantities (comparing amounts, basic measurement units). These questions test whether children can translate a short story or scenario into a mathematical calculation.

Shapes and patterns

Recognising common 2D and 3D shapes (like circles, squares, cubes, spheres), understanding basic geometry concepts (e.g. symmetry or counting the sides of a shape), and spotting patterns or sequences in numbers or shapes. There may also be simple data-handling tasks (like reading information from a bar chart or table).

It helps to practice both straightforward calculations and harder multi-step problems, so your child learns to persevere and not get flustered if an answer isn’t immediately obvious.

English

The 7 Plus English assessment typically has two main parts: a reading comprehension and a writing task. Some schools also incorporate specific spelling or grammar questions, either as a short separate section or within the writing task.

Reading Comprehension

Your child will read a short passage (it could be a story excerpt or a factual piece) and then answer questions about it. These questions will test how well they understood the text.

Some will be literal questions (finding facts or details explicitly stated), and others will be inferential (figuring out things implied by the text, like how a character feels and why). For example, a literal question might be, “What is the boy’s name in the story?” whereas an inferential question might be, “Why did the boy decide to explore the cave?” Answers usually need to be written in full sentences.

Writing

There is usually a creative writing task, such as writing a short story, a continuation of the comprehension passage, or a description (often based on a given picture or prompt). This tests the child’s ability to express ideas and use written language.

The examiners will look at content (is there a logical beginning, middle, end? Is it imaginative or detailed?) and basic writing skills – namely, spelling common words correctly, using capital letters and full stops appropriately, and writing in complete sentences.

Handwriting should be reasonably neat (joined writing isn’t mandatory, but letters should be formed clearly).

Spelling & Grammar

Some 7 Plus exams include a brief section of standalone questions targeting spelling, punctuation, or grammar. For instance, a paper might ask the child to spot mistakes in a sentence (e.g. missing capital letters or punctuation), choose the correct spelling of a word, or complete a sentence with the right word (their/there, was/were, etc.). Even if there isn’t a separate section, these skills are indirectly assessed through the writing task.

Reasoning

Reasoning tests are designed to assess a child’s logical thinking and problem-solving ability.

Verbal Reasoning

These are language-based puzzles. They don’t test taught curriculum knowledge, but rather how children understand and manipulate language and simple logic.

VR questions may include finding the odd one out in a list of words, identifying letter patterns or sequences (e.g. what letter comes next if a pattern goes A, C, E, _?), completing analogies (dog is to puppy as cat is to ___?), or following a set of written clues to arrive at an answer. They often appear in a multiple-choice format.

Non-Verbal Reasoning

These are visual puzzles involving shapes, patterns, and sequences. Examples of NVR tasks include finding the next shape in a pattern, choosing the odd shape out from a set (based on differences in size, shading, rotation, etc.), or completing a picture matrix.

Such questions assess a child’s ability to recognise relationships and changes in shapes or patterns without any text. Like VR, these skills aren’t taught in the normal curriculum, but they can improve with practice.

How should my child prepare?

Preparing for the 7 Plus can seem daunting at first, but with a structured, supportive approach it can be very manageable. Below are some tips on when to start and how to practice for the 7 Plus exam.

When should we start?

We recommend that you begin preparing a year in advance of the 7 Plus exam. This doesn’t mean extra lessons or tutoring five times a week – a consistent, gentle approach is best.

For example, ensure your child is reading regularly and can discuss what they have read, and practice basic maths in a fun way (playing board games that involve counting, using measuring cups in the kitchen, etc.). An hour or two of tutoring per week at this stage is usually sufficient.

As the exam gets closer (the autumn term of Year 2), you can increase the practice frequency, introducing timed practice papers to get your child used to working under exam conditions.

The key is to pace the preparation so that your child gradually gains skills and confidence without feeling overwhelmed. Starting early and doing a little at a time is more effective (and less stressful) than cramming at the last minute. Remember that at 6 or 7 years old, children need downtime and play as much as study, so keep a healthy balance.

How can I help my child prepare?

Consistent, gentle practice is the mantra for 7 Plus preparation. Here are some practical ways you can help:

Reading and discussion

Encourage your child to read a wide variety of texts – storybooks, simple poems, etc. Talk to them about what they read: ask them to summarise a story, predict what might happen next, or explain why a character acted a certain way. This builds comprehension and critical thinking. You can also gently quiz them on meanings of new words and practice using those words in sentences.

Mental maths in daily life

Make maths a part of everyday activities. For instance, let your child handle small amounts of money when shopping (“We have £2, that apple costs 60p, how much will be left?”), practice telling the time on analogue clocks, or count and measure ingredients while cooking.

Practice papers

As the exam approaches, make use of 7 Plus practice papers or past papers (many schools provide sample questions on their website, and there are also published practice books). Start by doing sections of papers untimed, to work on technique (for example, how to approach a comprehension, or setting out workings for maths).

Later on, do a few timed run-throughs of full papers to build stamina and time management. After each practice paper, go through the answers together. Praise what they did well, and for questions they missed, gently discuss how to arrive at the correct answer. This review process is crucial – it helps your child learn from mistakes and improves their confidence for next time.

Tutoring

Some parents choose to enlist a 7 Plus tutor, especially if they’re unfamiliar with the exam format or if their child needs extra support in certain areas. A good tutor will be experienced with the 7 Plus and familiar with the schools you’re aiming for.

Tutoring can identify any weak spots and fill in any knowledge gaps before exam day. Crucially, successful tuition will prepare your child to perform authentically – not reciting scripted answers at interview, but letting their natural personality and intelligence shine through.

At Dukes Plus, our 7 Plus tutors are highly experienced and have track records of success with all the top prep schools in London and the wider UK. We personally match each child with a tutor who will suit their personality and goals. In our experience, getting this fit right is key to successful tuition.

If you are interested in a 7 Plus tutor for your child, you can book a free tutoring consultation with our friendly team.

Stay positive and supportive

The emotional aspect of preparation is very important. Encourage your child and celebrate effort rather than focusing only on results.

Make sure they get plenty of playtime, exercise, and sleep during the prep period. A happy, well-rested child will perform better. By fostering a positive attitude, you’ll help them approach the 7 Plus with confidence.

Where can I find 7 Plus past papers?

Practice papers are a cornerstone of 7 Plus preparation. There are several sources you can use:

School websites

Many independent schools post sample 7 Plus papers or at least guidelines on their admissions pages. These are goldmines because they show the style and level that particular school expects. Download any available past or sample 7 Plus papers from your target schools and use them for practice.

Published materials

A number of educational publishers produce 7 Plus practice books and papers. Bond and CGP, for instance, have books for 7–8 year-old exam prep in English, maths, and reasoning. These often come with answer booklets. Working through these can give your child exposure to a broad range of questions. You might incorporate a short practice exercise from these books into your routine a few times a week.

Remember, the goal of using past papers is not to “teach to the test” in a narrow way, but to familiarise your child with the exam format and identify any areas that need extra work. It also helps them practice working within a time limit. Over time, you’ll likely see improvement – perhaps they get more questions right, finish a bit faster, or write a fuller story.