Brighton Girls 11+ entry guide

Brighton Girls 11+ entrance exam

All children who are registered for 11+ entry to Brighton Girls take written assessments in December in Year 6. There are four papers in total.

1. Verbal reasoning

The verbal reasoning test is designed to assess how well your child can use logic to solve problems with written information, such as letters and words. It will look at how your child can engage with language to identify their wider ability and potential.

2. Non-verbal reasoning

The non-verbal reasoning paperassesses similar skills to the verbal reasoning test, but does not involve any reading. Instead, your child will need to solve problems with visual information, such as shapes, diagrams and pictures. This is to measure the ability of children who find it easier to think in images, rather than words.

Neither verbal or non-verbal reasoning are taught on the national curriculum. Familiarisation with verbal and non-verbal reasoning can be helpful to get your child used to these types of questions.

Maths

The Brighton Girls 11+ maths paper has two sections:

1. Mathematical Skills

2. Problem Solving

The areas of maths covered are:

• Arithmetic of whole numbers (e.g. addition, subtraction, multiplication and division)

• Understanding place value

• Simple arithmetic and ordering of decimals

• Converting metric units

• Ordering negative numbers

• Fractions and percentages

• Coordinates in four quadrants

• Using measurements such as money, weight, time and distance

• Geometry, including perimeter, area and symmetry

• Interpreting charts and scales

• Describing number sequences and finding the next term

Your child should show clear and concise working in their answers. They will not be allowed a calculator.

For more information, take a look at our guide to 11+ maths.

4. English

The English paper is also divided into two sections. In both sections, your child will be assessed on the structure of their answers and spelling, punctuation and grammar.

1. Reading comprehension: your child will see a passage of text, which will be either 20th century or modern fiction. They will need to answer questions to show they have understood and can think about what they have read.

2. Creative writing: your child will be asked to write an original piece of writing (e.g. autobiography, fiction or description) in response to a prompt. The topics might be related to the theme of the reading comprehension task. They will be assessed on their ability to structure their response, coherency of writing, imaginative use of language, accuracy, and creative potential.

In addition to the four written assessments, your child will be invited to an interview with a senior member of staff. This is an opportunity for your child to learn more about the school, and for the staff to get to know your child. For top tips and an exclusive resource, take a look at our guide to senior school interviews.

Atom’s top tips for applying to Brighton Girls

Brighton Girls is a popular selective school, and competition for places can be high. Here are our top tips to help your child prepare for the selection process.

Bitesize learning

It’s important to build a good knowledge base before school entrance exams. Your child should have a good understanding of the content they’ve been taught at school before testing their knowledge with practice tests.

Using a ‘little and often’ approach when learning is key – our brains encode new information more effectively when dealing with smaller ‘chunks’ of information. For children aged 10–11, child psychologists recommend regular study sessions of 20–30 minutes.

With Atom Home, you don’t need to worry about creating a study schedule. When you enter your target schools, you’ll get a bespoke learning plan tailored to your schools’ entrance exams. Know exactly what your child needs to do each week to confidently pass.

Read widely

Entrance exams test children’s ability to analyse and interpret written information. Regular reading is a great way to help your child build these skills.

Encourage them to read books from different genres and by a diverse range of authors. Increasing the variety of your child’s reading will help them understand different styles, tones and purposes. Meanwhile, reading a little every day will help widen their vocabulary, sharpen their analytical thinking, and enhance their imagination.

Looking for reading inspiration? Check out our Key Stage 2 reading list.

Hone curiosity

Selective schools are often looking for children who are interested in learning. You can help by supporting your child’s broader learning, their intellectual curiosity, and their passion for developing an understanding of the world.

Talk to your child about the world we live in and inspire an interest in current affairs with age-appropriate journalism. It’s also a good idea to make sure they’re benefitting from a rich variety of experiences, such as visiting libraries, museums and galleries.

Refine exam technique

When your child feels confident with their knowledge of the exam topics, they’ll be ready to put their knowledge to the test.

Mock tests can help your child develop problem-solving skills and refine exam technique. They’re also a great way to consolidate learning, while highlighting any knowledge gaps they might want to tackle before exam day.

When you set Brighton Girls as a target school on Atom Home, your child will get tailored mock tests as part of their learning plan. Know what to expect on exam day.

Celebrate progress

Setting regular, achievable goals and celebrating your child’s progress – no matter how big or small – will help keep their motivation high.

Make sure to encourage a growth mindset. This means celebrating effort, as well as achievement! When your child makes mistakes or struggles to understand a particular topic, help them understand that they’ll improve through practice. Regular praise will help your child improve their resilience when tackling new and challenging topics.