Abingdon School Entrance Examination

Past papers are not issued but these notes

and sample questions might be helpful

October 2012
 The content of the 11+ entrance examination

The entrance examination consists of four written papers, all sat on the same day.
It consists of tests in English and mathematics, an English composition and an
intelligence test (reasoning), all intended to measure intellectual potential rather
than attainment. No paper lasts for more than one hour. We do not issue copies
of past papers.
There are two English papers. The first includes comprehension exercises and
tests vocabulary, punctuation and spelling. The second paper asks for a brief
composition in continuous prose. In the mathematics paper candidates are asked
to interpret real-life problems, and determine how to find the mathematical
solution. This paper contains questions on such topics as fractions, decimals,
averages, percentages, areas of rectangles, currency and time-tables; metric units
will be used throughout, and calculators are not allowed.
After the exam, candidates for the 11+ entrance examination will be selected for
interview with a Lower School housemaster or tutor. On such an occasion it is
helpful (though not essential) for candidates to bring examples of their work to
provide talking points. A number of candidates will be invited back after the
examination for a further interview or to explore an apparent weakness in either
English or mathematics, and they will be asked to complete an additional
reasoning paper.

English 1 – English Usage and Comprehension

This is a 45-minute paper consisting of a mixture of questions testing written
accuracy and comprehension. Some of these are likely to be similar to the
following examples:

1. The following sentence needs correct punctuation:

In that case replied Tom we’ll play the game again
Circle the letter at the beginning of the correctly punctuated version.
a. “In that case,” replied Tom, “we’ll play the game again.”
b. “In that case,” replied Tom. “We’ll play the game again.”
c. “In that case, replied Tom, we’ll play the game again.”
d. “In that case” replied Tom “we’ll play the game again.”

2. Read the following sentence and circle the letter a, b or c from the choices
below to show which word you think should fill the blank.

The _____________________ games were expensive.

a. children’s b. childrens’ c. childrens

3. Read the following paragraph, which reads continuously down the page. One
word has been left out of each line. Put a mark (like this / ) where you think the
word has been left out and write the missing word in the numbered space on
the right. The first one has been done for you as an example. It will help if you
read each whole sentence before you decide on the missing words.

For / child, the prospect of a 1

_____a______
new school seem altogether terrifying; 2
____________
the thought new uniforms, children and 3
____________
teachers likely to alarm. This is 4
____________
an experience everyone understand because 5
____________
everyone encountered new situations. There 6
____________
are many advantages as disadvantages 7
____________
when it comes facing new challenges. 8
____________
Some people say, instance, that children 9
____________
are challenged grow up to be self-confident. 10
____________

4. Give TWO words of FIVE or more letters that can be made out of the letters in
the word CONSISTENTLY. You can use a letter as often as it appears in the
word and may use the letters in any order (e.g. silent).

5. Write the opposite of each of these words by adding the correct prefix
(e.g. ___ fair would become UNfair).

a. ___ advantage
b. ___ decent

There will also be one or two passages to read, with some multiple-choice
questions testing candidates’ understanding.

English 2 – Composition
Candidates will be given 30 minutes in which to write a piece of continuous prose
on one of a choice of topics.
 Mathematics
This is a 50-minute paper with approximately 50 questions. Some will be similar
to the following examples:

1. Write down the largest four digit number you can make using the four numbers
5, 2, 9 and 6.

2. The following question refers to the flowchart below

IN   5  + 4  OUT

a. If 12 is put into the flowchart, what number comes out?

b. What number was put into the flowchart if 24 came out?

3. Draw on the letters their lines of symmetry (mirror lines)

3 2
DX Z
4. Work out -
4 3

5. Write down the smallest of the following numbers

2 7 3
1 1 1 .7
3 4 5

6. The following question uses the fact that the exchange rate for pounds sterling
and the US dollar is 1 dollar = 55 pence.

a. How many pounds could be exchanged for 20 dollars?

b. How many dollars could be exchanged for £220?

7. The average daily water consumption of a person living in Abingdon is

estimated at 200 litres. How much water is needed for the 32000 people who
live in Abingdon?

Reasoning
This test takes approximately 60 minutes (including some practice questions). It
consists of a number of multiple choice questions that test logical thought (a
mixture of words, numbers and pictures). The test will be taken on a Macintosh
computer – thereby giving your son a taste of Abingdon’s ICT provision at the
same time.