It might be difficult to find your way around the 11 Plus the first time as a parent. How do you aid your kid in getting ready for the Westminster School’s 11+ exam? What kind of exam structure is it? How to get past papers? We’ve provided parents with this “Westminster School 11 Plus Exam Guide” to address all of your concerns.
Westminster School Introduction
Location: 17A Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PB
Westminster School stands among the most distinguished independent schools in the UK, renowned for its exceptional education for pupils aged 4 to 18. Combining academic excellence with world-class facilities and dedicated pastoral support, the school attracts gifted students from both the UK and around the globe. Its focus on the all-round development of each child ensures that students thrive academically, socially, and personally through a wide range of learning and extracurricular opportunities.
This guide aims to support families considering Westminster Under School at the 11+ entry point. It provides clear insight into every stage of the admissions journey—from the structure of the entrance exams to interview preparation—offering families the knowledge and strategies needed to approach the process with confidence and success.
Why Is Westminster School So Competitive?
Westminster School’s reputation for excellence makes it one of the most competitive schools in the UK. Known for its outstanding academic results, exceptional teaching, and strong record of university success, it attracts talented students from around the world. With limited places available each year, demand is incredibly high.
Set in the heart of London, Westminster blends centuries of tradition with a modern, forward-looking education. Students are encouraged to think independently, explore new ideas, and pursue their passions through a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities. It’s this rare combination of academic challenge, personal growth, and vibrant school life that makes Westminster such a coveted—and competitive—choice for families.
Every year, almost 99% of GCSE grades are between 9 and 7 (equivalent to A*–A), with about 80% achieving the highest possible grade of 9.
The same level of achievement is reflected in the school’s A Level outcomes—89% of results that year were awarded at A* or A. Westminster also continues to lead the country in university success, boasting the highest Oxbridge acceptance rate in the UK. Around half of the sixth form cohort progresses to Oxford or Cambridge annually. In 2024, 34 students secured places at Cambridge, while 56 took up offers at Oxford, underscoring the school’s exceptional academic standards.
Westminster School 11 Plus Exam Guide: Registration and Application Process
Registration Date
Parents begin the 11+ application by registering their child online from 1 September, two years before the intended start date. Registration remains open until 30 September of the following year. The assessment and interview schedule for entry the next September is usually released by the end of March and can be viewed on the school’s website. All supporting documents, including SEND reports and bursary applications, must be submitted before the registration deadline.
Before applying, families should review all admissions information thoroughly and use the school’s online age checker to confirm eligibility and view the relevant registration timeline.
School Fees and Bursaries
A registration fee is required when submitting the application, and an acceptance deposit is payable once a place is offered. Families applying for financial assistance who are unable to meet these costs may be eligible for a fee waiver when applying for a bursary. For help with this process, parents can contact the Bursar’s Department.
Important Notes
Applicants for Westminster Under School at 11+ cannot simultaneously apply for 13+ entry to Westminster School. Pupils who join at 11+ will complete Years 7 and 8 at the Under School and progress automatically to Westminster School for Year 9 without reapplying or sitting additional entrance exams.
Westminster School Open Days
To experience life at Westminster Under School first-hand, families are invited to attend a tour with their child. Each year, the school hosts two dedicated 11+ Open Days during the summer and autumn terms for families considering entry the following year. For details and booking information, please visit the Open Days section on the school’s website.
Key Dates for Westminster School 11+ Entry (2026)
- Registration Deadline: October 2025
- ISEB Pre-test: November 24, 2025
- Stage 1 Written Exams: January 10, 2026
- Stage 2 Interviews: January 28 and February 2, 2026
- Offers Sent: February 2026
- Acceptance Deadline: March 2026
Westminster School 11 Plus Exam Guide: Structure and Format
1. Online Assessments
In November of Year 6, all children who have applied for Westminster School 11 plus entry by the October deadline are invited to sit an entrance assessment at the School. Due to the increasing number of children applying for 11+ entry, in line with other schools, we now make use of an electronic assessment set by the ISEB (Independent Schools Examination Board) called the Common Pre-tests, which are used for many senior schools. For more information about these tests, please refer to the ISEB website. Children can also sit these assessments at their present school provided it is before the deadline; please refer to the Key Dates for the deadlines for the current recruitment year.
If a child’s current school already administers these assessments, he will be permitted by them to sit the assessments there. Parents will need to confirm this with them directly and where possible should email our Registrar to inform them of this arrangement. The ISEB will let us know the results of those who are registered with us but have already taken the assessments elsewhere.
The 11+ entrance exam serves as a selective assessment to evaluate a student’s academic ability and readiness for Westminster School. It measures key skills across several areas:
English:
- Tests reading comprehension, language understanding, and creative writing ability.
- Assesses reading comprehension, use of grammar, creative expression, and vocabulary range.
- Students are expected to show clear, imaginative writing and strong interpretive thinking.
Mathematics:
- Focuses on arithmetic accuracy, logical thinking, and problem-solving.
- Draws on topics from the Key Stage 2 syllabus.
- Evaluates number fluency, logical reasoning, and the ability to solve challenging problems.
Reasoning:
- Combines verbal and non-verbal reasoning to gauge analytical aptitude.
- Combines both verbal and non-verbal exercises to measure critical thinking, logic, and pattern recognition skills.
2. Written Assessments (Second Round Assessment)
After reviewing the ISEB Common Pre-Test results, Westminster invites around 100 pupils to progress to the next phase of the admissions process. These shortlisted candidates are asked to return to the school in January to sit additional written exams in English and Mathematics, which are conducted exclusively at Westminster Under School.
The assessment day is designed to be welcoming and relaxed, helping pupils feel at ease. The purpose of these written papers is not to catch children out, but to gain a clearer understanding of their academic strengths, problem-solving skills, and potential for future success at the school.
3. Interviews
Following the written assessments, around 60 pupils are invited back to Westminster in February for an interview with a senior member of staff. The interview provides an opportunity for the school to get to know each child on a personal level—encouraging them to speak about their hobbies, interests, and what excites them about learning.
4. Offers
Soon after the interview stage, the school notifies families of the outcome. Successful candidates receive formal offers of admission, with the deadline to accept typically falling in early March.
Best Preparation Strategies for Westminster School 11 Plus Exam
Difficulties of Maths Exam in Westminster School 11 plus exam
Depth of Knowledge:
The Westminster 11+ Maths exam goes beyond the standard Year 6 curriculum, often touching on Year 8 concepts. Topics may include basic algebra (such as simple inequalities), solid geometry involving volume ratios, and probability tree diagrams. This requires students not only to master primary-level maths but also to apply more advanced ideas with confidence.
Complexity of Thinking:
Roughly 35% of the questions demand multi-step reasoning—often three or more logical stages to reach the solution. Some problems feature “reverse thinking,” where students must work backward from the final result to determine the initial conditions. This tests analytical flexibility and mathematical intuition rather than memorized methods.
Time Pressure:
With an average of only about 1 minute and 15 seconds per question, time management becomes a crucial part of success. Students need to balance accuracy with speed, maintaining focus under pressure while navigating challenging, unfamiliar problems.
Altogether, these factors make the Westminster 11+ Maths exam one of the most rigorous among selective schools—rewarding students who demonstrate depth of understanding, logical precision, and creative problem-solving.
Think Academy’s Most Effective 11+ Preparation Plan for Westminster School
Think Academy offers most effective 11+ maths tuition service for the UK’s top independent schools like Westminster School. This year, 8 students from Think Academy received Westminster’s 11+ offers, and 6 students received Westminster’s 13+ offers. Click here to find out how we can help your child secures offers from top independent schools!
Think Academy’s Most Effective 11+ Preparation Plan includes:
Year 3 (Ages 7–8): Build a Strong Foundation and Foster Interest in Maths
Main Goals:
- Develop fluency in the four basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division).
- Build solid number sense.
- Cultivate curiosity and confidence in learning mathematics.
Key Skills:
1. Calculation skills:
- Perform addition and subtraction within 100 quickly and accurately.
- Memorise the multiplication tables up to 12×12.
- Understand the basic concept of division.
2. Real life problem-solving skills:
- Solve simple one-step word problems (e.g., problems involving differences or multiples).
- Grasp basic fraction concepts (such as ½, ¼).
- Recognise common geometric shapes and their basic properties.
3. Logical Thinking:
- Identify simple number patterns and sequences.
- Solve introductory logic puzzles.
- Begin engaging with basic mathematical games and riddles.
Year 4 (Ages 8–9): Expand Thinking and Build a Mathematical Framework
Main Goals:
- Strengthen and broaden understanding of core mathematical concepts.
- Develop essential problem-solving abilities.
- Begin exposure to mathematical competition-style questions.
Key Skills:
1. Calculation Skills:
- Master multi-digit addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
- Understand basic operations with fractions and decimals.
- Apply the rules of arithmetic confidently.
2. Application Skills:
- Tackle multi-step word problems such as age, ratio, and unitary method problems.
- Learn how to calculate area and perimeter; understand properties of triangles including special angles, interior and exterior angle sums.
- Understand relationships between speed, time, and distance; solve meeting and chasing problems.
- Convert between currencies and units of measurement.
3. Logical Thinking:
- Work on more advanced Olympiad-style problems such as “snail climbing a well,” “chickens and rabbits in a cage,” and interval problems.
- Develop early algebraic thinking.
- Solve basic-level UKMT Junior Maths Challenge problems.
Focus Areas:
- Improve mental arithmetic.
- Build habits of checking work carefully.
- Start timed practice (e.g., completing a short paper in 20 minutes).
Year 5 (Ages 9–10): Strengthen Skills and Prepare for the Exam
Main Goals:
- Reach the standard required for the 11+ entrance exams.
- Develop effective exam strategies and time management.
- Focus on targeted preparation for specific schools.
Key Skills:
1. Calculation Skills:
- Perform complex calculations accurately and efficiently.
- Master operations involving fractions, decimals, negative numbers, and percentages.
- Develop an introductory understanding of number sequences.
2. Application Skills:
- Solve multi-step applied problems, including those involving ratios and proportions.
- Use algebraic reasoning to handle linear equations and simultaneous equations.
- Understand the basics of data handling and probability.
3. Logical Thinking:
- Solve challenging logical reasoning problems with confidence.
- Deepen understanding of number theory concepts such as prime factorisation, highest common factors, and least common multiples.
- Tackle intermediate-level UKMT Junior Maths Challenge questions successfully.
Preparing for the Westminster School’s Interview
The Westminster School’s 11+ interview is designed to reveal each child’s confidence, curiosity, and communication skills, going beyond academic results to understand their personality and potential. Typically, around 60 pupils—twice the number of available places—are invited for a one-to-one conversation with a senior member of staff. The school looks for naturally bright and inquisitive students who enjoy exploring ideas, asking thoughtful questions, and thinking independently.
To prepare, encourage your child to engage in lively discussions at home. Debating over dinner can be an excellent exercise—try making a deliberately incorrect statement and invite your child to persuade you otherwise. Encourage them to explain what excites them and why, expanding on their ideas with confidence and clarity rather than relying on guided prompts.
While the interview is an important part of the process, it’s not another academic test. Reaching this stage already shows that your child has the intellectual ability Westminster is looking for. The atmosphere is far more relaxed than many expect, and being genuine is far more effective than being over-rehearsed.
Post-Exam Stage
Results Notification:
Following the written assessments and interviews, parents are usually informed of the outcome within four to six weeks. The admissions team will issue one of three results—an offer of a place, a position on the waiting list, or a notification that the application was unsuccessful.
Offer Acceptance:
If your child receives an offer, take time to review all terms carefully, including deposit details and acceptance conditions. Offers come with a specific deadline, so be sure to respond promptly to secure the place.
Feedback:
Families whose child is not offered admission may request feedback from the school. This insight can be extremely helpful in identifying strengths and areas to improve for future applications.
Next Steps:
For those placed on the waiting list, maintaining regular communication with the admissions office and expressing continued enthusiasm is key. Meanwhile, it’s advisable to explore other leading schools that may still have open admission cycles to ensure a range of options.
Ready to See Where Your Child Stands?
Take our Free Maths Assessment to assess your child’s current strengths and identify areas for improvement. It’s a great first step toward building a personalised 11+ preparation plan that helps them reach their full potential with confidence.
Other FAQs for Westminster School 11 Plus Exam
1. How many applicants do you interview for 13+ entry?
Around 300.
2. Should I apply for 11+ or 13+ entry?
They advise boys who attend a school that ends in Year 8 to apply for 13+ access to Westminster School and those who attend state or independent primary schools that require them to leave at the end of Year 6 to apply for 11+ entry to Westminster Under School. Please note that you cannot submit applications for both 11+ and 13+ entrance. Transferring from an 11+ to a 13+ admission is not possible.
3. ISEB Common Pre Tests: are past papers available?
No, but you can view example questions and further information on the ISEB website.
