The 7 plus exam is one of the earliest and most competitive milestones in the UK independent school admissions process. For many families, especially in London, success at this stage can secure a place at a top prep school — and open a pathway towards some of the country’s leading senior schools.
But what exactly is the 7+? How do schools assess children? When should you start preparing, and what are the challenges parents need to be aware of?
This comprehensive guide brings together everything you need to know about the 7+, with practical advice, a year-by-year preparation plan, and sample questions to help you and your child feel confident about the journey ahead.
What Is the 7+ Exam?
The 7+ is an entrance exam sat by children in Year 2 (ages 6–7), for admission into Year 3 at selective independent prep schools.
- When it happens: Exams are usually held between September and January of Year 2, with results released in the spring term.
- Why it matters: Places are limited, competition is fierce, and many families see this as a gateway into highly regarded prep schools that provide strong academic foundations and future opportunities.
- Format: While each school sets its own papers, most 7+ exams include English, Mathematics, and Reasoning, often followed by an interview and group activities.
- Beyond academics: Many schools also look at references from your child’s current school, and in some cases parents are interviewed too.
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What Subjects are Assessed in the 7+ Exam?
1. English
The English paper usually combines comprehension, creative writing, and sometimes dictation or spelling.
- Comprehension: A passage from a children’s story, speech, or factual text is given. Children answer questions testing understanding, inference, deduction, grammar, and vocabulary.
- Creative Writing: Children write a short piece such as a story, diary entry, or letter. Examiners look for imagination, varied vocabulary, a clear structure, and accuracy in spelling and punctuation.
- Dictation/Spelling: In some schools, a short passage is read aloud and children transcribe it, testing listening and attention to detail.
💡 Sample comprehension question:
“Why do you think the boy felt nervous when he found the lost puppy’s collar?”
Here, examiners want to see if a child can infer meaning beyond the text.
2. Mathematics
The Mathematics paper typically lasts 40–50 minutes. It tests core calculation skills, but also the ability to apply logical thinking, solve multi-step word problems, and explain reasoning.
Crucially, Maths is also tested in the interview. Examiners may ask a child to solve a problem mentally, talk through their working, or attempt a logic puzzle. This means accuracy is not enough: schools want to see clarity of thought, reasoning skills, and confidence in explaining answers.
Knowledge Areas
Number and Calculation:
- Addition and subtraction within 1,000
- Multiplication/division facts up to 12 × 12
- Missing number problems, inverse operations
- Fractions (including equivalent fractions and simple operations)
- Place value, rounding, estimation
Geometry:
- Properties of 2D and 3D shapes
- Perimeter, area, and nets
- Angles (right, acute, obtuse)
- Position, direction, and symmetry
Measurement:
- Length, weight, and capacity (reading scales)
- Time (12/24-hour clocks, elapsed time)
- Money problems (pounds/pence, making change)
- Temperature
Problem-Solving:
- Multi-step word problems
- Ratio and comparison
- Real-life applications (shopping, timetables)
- Logic and sequencing problems
- Bar charts, pictograms, tables
- Interpreting and comparing data
Here are the examples of self checklist for important 7 plus exam topics.
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Levels of Difficulty
Most 7+ Maths papers are carefully structured:
- 50% Basic Level: straightforward number operations and one-step problems. Example: “If 4 children share 24 sweets equally, how many sweets will each get?”
- 30% Middle Level: two-step word problems or applied questions. Example: “Rob buys orange juice for £3.25 with a £20 note. How much change does he get?”
To get a full PDF version this 7+ practice sheet, please email: weizheng3@tal.com
- 20% Hard Level: multi-step or logic-based questions. Example: “Fill the numbers from 1 to 12 into the twelve circles of the hexagram pattern, so that the sum of the four numbers on each straight line is the same. Eight of the numbers have already been filled in, as shown in the diagram. Please complete the number puzzle.”
3. Reasoning
Reasoning tests are less familiar to many children but a key part of the 7+. They are designed to assess logical and analytical skills rather than learnt knowledge.
- Verbal Reasoning: word meanings, synonyms, letter codes, sequences, simple logic problems.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: pattern spotting, odd-one-out, image sequences, spatial awareness, hidden shapes.
💡 Sample reasoning question:
“Look at the cube cut along the dotted line. What will the two pieces look like from the front?”
These puzzles require children to think visually and logically under time pressure.
4. Interview and Assessment Day
For children who do well in the written exam, most schools hold an interview or assessment day:
- One-to-one interviews with senior staff to discuss hobbies, books, or problem-solving questions.
- Group tasks, such as building something together or solving a puzzle, to test teamwork and communication.
- Observation of behaviour: politeness, patience, and curiosity matter just as much as academic performance.
Sometimes parents are also interviewed, to discuss family values and school choice.
Which Schools Use the 7+ Exam for Admission?
The 7+ exam is used by many of London’s most selective schools, including:
- Boys’ schools: St Paul’s Juniors, Westminster Under, King’s College Junior School, Wetherby Prep, Dulwich College (DUCKS), UCS Hampstead.
- Girls’ schools: South Hampstead High, Lady Eleanor Holles, Notting Hill & Ealing, James Allen’s Girls’ School.
- Co-educational schools: Highgate, Latymer Prep, Alleyn’s, Fulham, City Junior.
Competition is intense, and most families apply to multiple schools to increase their chances.
If you’d like to find out which type of school might be the best fit for your child, or if your child is academically ready, click the image below to complete our free maths assessment with detailed feedback report:
7+ Exam Preparation Timeline
When and How 7+ Entrance Exam Happens:
- Registration: Usually in the spring or summer before Year 2 (some schools open registration more than a year in advance).
- Exams: Held between September and January of Year 2.
- Results: Offers, waiting lists, or rejections are issued a few weeks after the assessments.
- Two-stage process: Many schools run a written paper first, then invite successful candidates back for interviews and group activities.
Because of the competitive nature, it’s common for children to sit several different schools’ 7+ exams within a few weeks.
When Should 7+ Exam Preparation Begin?
We strongly recommend that children begin preparing from Year 1 rather than leaving everything to the final term before the exam. The 7+ covers a wide range of topics — some beyond the standard Year 2 curriculum — and it can be overwhelming for a six-year-old to try to master these in just 2–3 months.
Starting early has several benefits:
- It allows children to build knowledge step by step, without the stress of cramming.
- It helps them develop good learning habits, such as daily reading, regular mental maths, and confidence in reasoning.
- It keeps the process enjoyable and sustainable, so children maintain a love of learning instead of feeling pressured.
In short: the earlier the preparation begins, the more confident and relaxed your child will feel on exam day.
A Year-by-Year Plan
- Reception (ages 4–5): Begin to explore schools and admissions. Build concentration, listening, and curiosity through play and early reading.
- Year 1 (ages 5–6): The best time to start systematic preparation. Strengthen English and Maths foundations, while keeping learning light and enjoyable. Attend open days and learn about school requirements.
- End of Year 1 – start of Year 2: Complete registrations (spaces are limited, so earlier is better).
- Year 2 Autumn Term (ages 6–7): Enter the focused preparation stage: practise past papers, mock exams, and interview skills.
- Year 2 Winter Term (Nov–Jan): Formal exam and interview period. Balance revision with rest to keep children calm and confident.
- Year 2 Spring Term (Jan–Feb): Results released; offers must usually be confirmed within days.
💡 Parent Tip: The earlier preparation begins, the less pressure children will feel. Trying to learn everything in just 2–3 months is stressful for a six-year-old. Early, gradual preparation allows children to build confidence and keep their love of learning intact.
Preparation Strategies
- Daily habits: 15 minutes of reading, short bursts of mental maths, and occasional writing practice.
- Reasoning games: puzzles, sudoku, tangrams, and logic challenges to develop problem-solving.
- Past papers & mocks: start with untimed practice, then gradually introduce timed conditions.
- Interview prep: encourage children to explain their thinking and share opinions aloud.
- Balance: don’t overload. Maintain play, exercise, and rest.
How to Prepare for the 7+ Exam?
The 7+ exam is challenging, but with a structured approach, children can develop the skills and confidence needed to perform well. Preparation should be gradual, focusing on strengthening core subjects and familiarising children with the exam format.
Many parents choose to seek one-to-one tuition. An experienced tutor not only understands the exam format, but also knows how to tailor preparation to a child’s individual learning style, helping them stay engaged and make steady progress.
7+ Entrance Exam English Preparation
English preparation should include daily practice in:
- Reading comprehension — develop understanding, inference, and vocabulary.
- Creative writing — practise stories, diaries, or descriptions, with a focus on structure and imagination.
- Vocabulary, spelling, and grammar — taught in context through reading and writing.
Encourage your child to read widely, from fiction to non-fiction. Ask open-ended questions about what they’ve read (“Why do you think the character felt that way?”) to strengthen critical thinking, a key skill in comprehension.
7+ Entrance Exam Maths Preparation
Maths preparation should focus on:
- Mental arithmetic — quick recall of times tables and number bonds.
- Core operations — addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions.
- Problem-solving — applying maths to word problems, money calculations, time, and logic puzzles.
Real-life scenarios are excellent practice: calculating change in shops, measuring ingredients when cooking, or working out elapsed time on a journey. These tasks encourage logical thinking and application of concepts.
Think Academy offers specialised 7+ Maths Exam support. If you’d like to understand your child’s current knowledge level and what steps they need to take next, please click the image below to try our free maths assessment:
7+ Entrance Exam Reasoning Preparation
Reasoning can be the trickiest part for many children as it involves abstract thinking. Regular exposure helps:
- Verbal Reasoning — word codes, analogies, synonyms, logical sequences.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning — spotting patterns, sequences, odd-one-out, symmetry.
Use puzzles, games, and practice papers to build familiarity and reduce anxiety. Even activities like Sudoku, jigsaw puzzles, or tangram challenges strengthen the same skills.
Timed Practice
Working under time pressure can be stressful, so it’s vital to practise gradually:
- Begin with untimed exercises to build accuracy.
- Introduce short timed activities (e.g. 5–10 minutes).
- Progress to full exam-style timed papers as the exam approaches.
Children who are familiar with pacing tend to feel calmer and more confident on exam day.
7 Plus Exam Papers
In the months before the exam, regular use of 7+ exam past papers is one of the most effective preparation tools. These simulate the real test environment and allow children to practise working to time limits.
We recommend using tiered practice papers — starting with easier sets to build confidence, and gradually progressing to harder sets. This helps children feel motivated rather than overwhelmed, while ensuring they are exposed to the full range of question types.
Looking for extra practice? Think Academy embedded tonnes of 7+ exam past papers and real 7 plus exam questions into our free Maths Assessment, click here start now!
Common Parent Questions regarding 7 Plus Exam
1. Should we choose the 7+ entry or wait for the 11+?
The 7+ offers an earlier route into top prep schools, but competition is intense and children are young. The 11+ opens more places later but is also highly competitive. The choice depends on your child’s readiness and your family’s strategy.
2. What if my child doesn’t pass the 7+?
It’s not the end of the road. Many schools offer entry at 8+ or 11+, and excellent schools exist outside the 7+ process. Some children are simply better suited to later entry.
3. How many schools should we apply to?
Most families apply to several schools, balancing ambitious “stretch” choices with secure options. Applying to too many risks tiring your child. A balanced approach is best.
4. Can state-school children succeed at the 7+?
Absolutely. While prep-school pupils often receive more structured preparation, state-school children succeed every year. Focused home support, extra reading, and targeted tutoring where needed can level the playing field.
5. Is it too early to start preparing in Year 1?
No. Early preparation doesn’t mean intensive tutoring — it means building strong foundations in reading, writing, and numeracy through enjoyable activities.
A Message for Parents
The 7+ exam is a major step for many families, but it doesn’t need to be overwhelming. With early preparation, clear routines, and a balance of learning and play, children can approach the exam with confidence.
Remember: success at the 7+ is not only about securing a place. It’s about nurturing a love of learning, resilience, and the ability to think clearly under challenge. Those qualities will serve your child well far beyond the exam hall.
