What You Need to Know:

8 Plus Exam (8+exam)

What is 8 Plus Exam (8+exam)?

The 8 Plus Exam (8+exam) is an entrance exam for independent schools, taken at the end of Year 3. This is an selective process for schools to sort out the best fitting students to for entry to their Year 4. Meanwhile most independent schools in the UK are holding 7 Plus Exam (7+exam), some of them will also provide Year 4 entry, holding 8 Plus Exam (8+exam). Students may need to register for 8 plus (8+) exams for Year 4 entry beforehand (usually from the October of their Year 2).

Why are there both 8 Plus Exam (8+exam) and 7 Plus Exam (7+exam)?

In the past, there was a historical distinction: boys would typically sit for 8+ entry, while girls would opt for 7+ entry. This practice was rooted in the traditional belief that boys tend to mature a bit later than girls at this stage. Assessing them at a later age allowed more time for them to develop and demonstrate their full potential.

Which one to choose: 8 Plus (8+) or 7 Plus (7+)?

As contemporary education has evolved, nowadays, many schools offer both 7 plus (7+) and 8 plus (8+) entry options, providing parents with the flexibility to choose the most suitable path.

It is important to note that if a child applies for the 7 plus (7+) entry and is not accepted, they have the option to reapply for the 8 plus (8+) entry at the same school. Some parents may worry that multiple applications to the same school could diminish their chances, but this is not the case. A lot can change in a year, especially during childhood, so the child’s evaluation will be conducted fairly and independently, distinct from their previous attempt.

To choose 7 plus (7+) or 8 plus (8+) entry, parents need to carefully consider the following factors:

1. Academic Ability: It is crucial to assess which entrance exam your child can effectively engage with and perform well in the examinations.

2. Exam Readiness: In addition to understanding the content, a child’s ability to perform well in a testing environment is vital.

What does 8 Plus Exam (8+exam) look like?

8 Plus Exam (8+exam) consists of written test and interview. The written test contents are very similar to 7 Plus Exam (7+exam), which has four parts: Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-verbal Reasoning.

Maths:

Students will need to reach the expected level in national curriculum of Year 4. To excel in these 8 Plus Exam (8+exam) maths test, students should be ready to tackle more intricate, multi-step word problems that demand a demonstration of their comprehension and reasoning skills. Mental arithmetic will be evaluated, whether through written or verbal expressions. The key to effective preparation lies in dedicating a bit of time each day. This daily consistency will help students retain the knowledge they acquire. Given the extensive content to cover, it is equally crucial to periodically review and revisit previously learned concepts.

English:

A significant emphasis in 8 Plus Exam (8+exam) English test will revolve around comprehension skills. Fluent reading is of utmost importance, as it is essential for swiftly and accurately processing the text within the allocated time frame. Building a rich vocabulary is also a key aspect, achieved through the creation of a glossary to understand new words and their meanings. Ideally, the student ‘s reading ability should surpass their actual age by at least two years, well exceeding the national average.

Verbal and Non-verbal Reasoning

The majority of independent schools typically do not administer a distinct examination solely centered on verbal and non-verbal reasoning in 8 Plus Exam (8+exam). Instead, they might corporate problem-solving questions within maths paper that emphasize pattern recognition, close scrutiny of symbols and figures, and the identification of anomalies or differences. In the English paper, verbal reasoning may also come into play, evaluating a student’s capacity to work with words, including comprehension, grammar, decoding skills, and vocabulary.

It is essential to clarify that non-verbal reasoning does not evaluate reading skills; rather, it assesses a child’s aptitude for recognizing and interpreting visual images. Schools that do assess non-verbal reasoning as a separate component often do so to gain insights into a child’s potential academic performance. While schools are often reluctant to provide sample papers or questions for non-verbal reasoning, there are activities and games available to help students cultivate their problem-solving abilities and analytical thinking.

Interview:

There will be several questions that come up in the 8 Plus Exam (8+exam) interview. The topics may vary from different independent schools. The interviewer’s assessment will primarily focus on evaluating the candidates’ communication skills and determining their suitability for the school. In order to gauge a candidate’s compatibility, interviewers will pay close attention to the candidate’s ability to express their thoughts, emotions, and opinions openly and fluently in response to inquiries. They will seek responses that go beyond brief, one-word answers, as these provide insight into the child’s individual perspectives and sentiments. Candidates who can elaborate on their responses and provide reasons will convey their personality effectively and demonstrate strong communication abilities.

How to prepare for 8 Plus Exam (8+exam)?

8 Plus Exam (8+exam) Maths test, will be more difficult than 8 Plus Exam (8+exam) maths test. Students need to show a comprehension and understanding of the complete Year 3 Mathematics syllabus as a minimum. Students may want to look at St. Paul’s Junior's or Westminster Under School Maths Syllabus which provides a great structure for their preparation.

8 Plus Exam (8+exam) Maths test, most competitive schools will have questions that go beyond the national average for Year 3 students. Mental arithmetic forms the basis of most papers and could be tested both in a verbal or written form. Therefore, it is better that students have regular practice.

For 8 Plus Exam (8+exam) English test, as the main focus should be around comprehension and story-writing skills, students can keep the habit of reading and applying solid techniques and vocabulary into their own creative writing. Students can practice writing 5-10 lines a day about the topics that interest them. Also, students can have some diction practice regularly to memorize more vocabulary.

For 8 Plus Exam (8+exam) verbal and non-verbal reasoning test, students can do more puzzles and word games in order to have stronger logic abilities, such as sudoku, jigsaws, scribble and etc.

For 8 Plus Exam (8+exam) interviews, students can prepare some questions beforehand, such as questions about themselves and their family. Besides, learning about interview etiquette will also help student stay confident and polite during the interview process.

In order to make students more used to the 8 Plus Exam (8+exam), students can also have several mock exams before the exam day.

Independent Schools with 8 Plus Exam (8+exam) entry:

• St. Paul’s Junior School
• King’s College School Wimbledon Junior
• Westminster Under School
• Wetherby Prep School
• Harrodian Prep School

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