Year 7 11+ entry
How to prepare for St Paul's School
What the test asks for, where to start with the time you have, and a month-by-month plan to test day.
6 daysto the exam · 14 Nov 2026
Now: final stretch
Keep sessions short and daily, revisit past mistakes rather than new topics, and do one dress-rehearsal paper at the time of day of the real test.
What’s in the test
For 2027 entry
ISEB battery followed by English comprehension/analysis, English composition and a non-calculator Mathematics paper, then interview
Online test
EnglishUp to 40 minutes
Multiple choice, online
MathsUp to 40 minutes
Multiple choice, online
Verbal reasoningUp to 25 minutes
Multiple choice, online
Non-verbal reasoningUp to 30 minutes
Multiple choice, online
Written papers
English85 minutes
Written answers, on paper
Maths60 minutes
Multiple choice and written, on paper
From the school's admissions information for 2027 entry.
Month by month
The whole plan runs from a year before the test. With less time, join it at your stage.
- FoundationMonths 12–9
- Skill-buildingMonths 8–5
- Exam-styleMonths 4–2
- Final stretchFinal 4 weeksYOU ARE HERE
Months 12–9 before exam
Foundation
Fill curriculum gaps before moving to exam-style work. Consistency > intensity.
- Daily 20-minute practice across all four subjects (rotate, not all at once)
- Identify weak topics via a diagnostic and prioritise them
- Build reading stamina — 20 minutes of fiction + 10 minutes of non-fiction daily
- Learn core mental maths facts (times tables to 12, doubles, halves, %)
Months 8–5
Skill-building
Move from learning topics to practising them under mild time pressure.
- Introduce timed mini-tests (15 questions in 15 minutes) per subject weekly
- Add vocabulary-building: aim for 10 new words per week with usage
- Start verbal and non-verbal reasoning technique drills (one type per week)
- Review mistakes — a wrong answer without a follow-up is a wasted question
Months 4–2
Exam-style
Full papers under real test timing, in the school's format.
- One full timed paper a week, then go through the marks together
- Build exam resilience — do at least one sitting in exam-style conditions
- Target weakest topic from the diagnostic each week
Final 4 weeks
Final stretch
Your stage nowPeak condition — maintain volume, reduce novelty, prioritise sleep.
- Short daily sessions (25–30 min) — no marathons
- Review mistakes notebook — revisit questions, don't re-do unrelated topics
- Do a dress-rehearsal paper at the same time of day as the real exam
- Sleep, hydration, breakfast — treat the final week like athletes treat taper
Want this school's practice in one place? See the St Paul’s Prep 11+ preparation bundle.
Questions parents ask
When should we start preparing for St Paul's School?
Most families start a year to 18 months before the test: building skills first, then moving to full timed papers in the last few months. Starting later still works: begin at the stage that matches the time you have. The key dates page lists St Paul's School's admissions dates.
What is in the St Paul's School test?
ISEB battery followed by English comprehension/analysis, English composition and a non-calculator Mathematics paper, then interview
Can we prepare without a tutor?
Yes. Many children prepare at home with short daily practice, full papers under timed conditions and an honest weekly look at mistakes. Leap gives you the papers, marks them and suggests the next step.
Practise for St Paul's School
33 practice papers ready. Practise online or on paper, then see the next step.
Year 6: free practice papers for St Paul's School until 16 November.
Other years: the St Paul’s Prep 11+ preparation bundle, paid once, no subscription.
Created by Leap. Leap is not affiliated with or endorsed by St Paul's School (St Paul's).