South West Herts Schools Consortium 11+ Guide for Parents

What Is the South West Herts Schools Consortium?

The South West Herts Schools Consortium is not a traditional grammar-school consortium. It is a group of seven partially selective schools that use shared testing for selected admissions routes.

The main test routes are:

• Academic Ability Test — Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning
• Music Aptitude Test — used by schools offering music places
• Sports Aptitude Test — available for Queens’ School only

A test score does not automatically guarantee a place. Parents must still apply for secondary school places through the normal Local Authority application process, and each school’s admissions policy and oversubscription criteria still apply.

Which Schools Are in the South West Herts Consortium?

The South West Herts Schools Consortium consists of seven partially selective schools.

Parents should read the admissions policy for each school they are considering. The number of selective places, priority areas, score rules and other criteria vary by school.

Is the South West Herts Test a Traditional 11+?

The South West Herts academic test is often discussed by parents as an 11+ test, but it is not the same as a full traditional 11+ exam that covers English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

The South West Herts Academic Ability Test covers:

• Mathematics
• Verbal Reasoning

It does not include separate English comprehension or Non-Verbal Reasoning papers. However, vocabulary, reading accuracy and SPAG still support Verbal Reasoning preparation.

Academic Ability Test Format

Children applying under the Academic Criterion take Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning tests provided by GL Assessment.

The Academic Ability Test uses separate answer sheets. Children must record answers on the answer sheet, not in the question booklet. If answers are not recorded correctly on the answer sheet, they may not be marked.

The answer sheets are machine-marked using optical mark recognition technology. Pupils should therefore practise careful answer-sheet technique as well as question skills.

Academic Test Scoring and School Offers

Academic test scores are standardised. The South West Herts Consortium explains that the academic test is not directly comparable to a traditional four-subject 11+ score because it includes only Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning.

There is no single pass mark for the Academic Ability Test. Places are offered based on each school’s admissions arrangements.

Consortium schools may publish historical score information, but historical scores should be treated carefully because demand, applications, priority areas and allocations can vary from year to year.

Music Aptitude Test

Children applying under the Music Criterion take the Consortium Music Aptitude Test.

The first stage is a written listening test with 60 questions, usually lasting about 45 minutes. It is divided into four sections:

• Pitch — listening to two sounds and identifying whether the second is the same, higher or lower
• Melody — listening to two five-note tunes and identifying whether a note has changed
• Rhythm — comparing two four-beat rhythm patterns
• Texture — identifying whether chords contain two, three or four notes

A limited number of applicants are invited to a second stage. The second stage involves a self-chosen instrumental or vocal piece lasting no more than three minutes.

The second stage is assessed on accuracy, musicality and musical communication, with a total score out of 45. Music Aptitude Test scores are not age-standardised.

Sports Aptitude Test for Queens’ School

Queens’ School organises a Sports Aptitude Test for applicants with exceptional sporting aptitude within its catchment area.

The Sports Test is specific to Queens’ School. Parents should only consider this route if the child has strong sporting ability and meets the relevant residence and admissions requirements.

The sports test covers core movement skills from Eurofit standards. Instructions and test conditions are kept consistent for all participants.

Registration and Test Choices

Parents must register through the South West Herts Schools Consortium registration system within the official registration window for the relevant admissions year.

Only one registration is allowed per child. Parents should select all relevant tests during registration because changes may not be possible once the registration period has closed.

The registration process includes:

• creating a parent account
• entering the child’s details
• entering parent or carer details
• providing welfare, SEND or medical information where relevant
• confirming the child’s current school
• selecting the tests required
• uploading supporting evidence where required
• submitting the application before the deadline

Late applications are not accepted. Parents should also keep checking the Parent Portal because test-centre allocations, music second-stage information and results are published there.

Test Centre Allocation and Applications

The test venue is simply where the child takes the test. It does not determine the final school allocation and does not have to be the school parents hope to apply for.

Applying for the Consortium tests is not the same as applying for a school place. Parents must still complete the Local Authority secondary school application form and list the schools they want to apply for.

Each school then applies its own published admissions arrangements. Parents should read school-specific criteria carefully before choosing preferences.

Special Consideration and SEND

If a child has SEND, medical needs or usual classroom arrangements that may affect access to the test, parents should provide the required evidence during registration and follow the Consortium’s current special consideration process.

Evidence is usually expected from the child’s school, SENDCo or Headteacher. Parents should not wait until close to the test to raise access needs.

Scholars Tutorial Preparation Route for South West Herts

On the Scholars Tutorial platform, South West Herts academic preparation should focus mainly on Mathematics, Maths word problems, Verbal Reasoning and vocabulary.

English comprehension and SPAG are not separate South West Herts academic papers, but they can support vocabulary, reading accuracy and Verbal Reasoning. Non-Verbal Reasoning should be added only if the child is also preparing for another 11+ exam route that tests it.

Scholars Tutorial Online Categories

Scholars Tutorial organises 11+ preparation into clear categories. For South West Herts, the most relevant areas are Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Word Problems, Foundation and selected vocabulary/SPAG support.

11+ Core Subjects

These are the most relevant for South West Herts academic preparation.

• 11+ Maths
• 11+ Maths : Word Problems
• 11+ VR

11+ Foundation

Foundation subjects are useful for children who need to strengthen basics before harder practice.

• 11+ Foundation Maths
• 11+ Foundation VR

11+ Advanced

Advanced subjects are useful for pupils who need extra challenge.

• 11+ Advanced Maths
• 11+ Advanced VOCAB
• 11+ Advanced SPAG, where language accuracy needs strengthening

11+ Mock Exams

South West Herts academic preparation is not a full four-subject 11+ route, so mixed mock papers should be used carefully.

• 11+ SPAG — useful for language accuracy and vocabulary support.
• 11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE — useful only if the child is also preparing for broader 11+ exams.

Mathematics Preparation

The South West Herts Mathematics paper is based on the Key Stage 2 curriculum. Pupils should build speed, accuracy and problem-solving confidence.

Your child should practise:

• Times tables and mental arithmetic
• Written addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
• Fractions
• Decimals
• Percentages
• Ratio and proportion
• Measurement and units
• Area, perimeter and volume
• Geometry and angles
• Data handling
• Number sequences
• Algebra basics
• Word problems
• Multi-step problem solving
• Checking calculations carefully

Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:

• 11+ Maths
• 11+ Maths : Word Problems
• 11+ Foundation Maths
• 11+ Advanced Maths

Verbal Reasoning Preparation

Verbal Reasoning is the other academic test area. It requires strong vocabulary, careful reading and logical thinking with words and letters.

Your child should practise:

• Synonyms and antonyms
• Word meanings
• Compound words
• Letter and word codes
• Word relationships
• Odd-one-out word questions
• Logical word sequences
• Vocabulary in context
• Careful instruction reading
• Eliminating incorrect answer choices

Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:

• 11+ VR
• 11+ Foundation VR
• 11+ Advanced VOCAB
• 11+ SPAG, for language accuracy support

Printed Paper Sets for South West Herts Preparation

Printed paper sets are useful because they help pupils practise concentration, timing, answer-sheet discipline and full-paper accuracy.

Useful Scholars Tutorial printed paper sets include:

• 11+ Maths Practice Papers
• 11+ Maths : Word Problems Practice Papers
• 11+ Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers
• 11+ Foundation Maths Practice Papers
• 11+ Foundation Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers
• 11+ Advanced Maths Practice Papers
• 11+ Advanced VOCAB Practice Papers
• 11+ SPAG Practice Papers, as language-support practice

Printed papers should be used alongside online practice. Online practice helps target weak areas, while printed papers help pupils apply skills in a more realistic paper format.

Mixed English + VR and Maths + NVR papers can be useful if the child is also preparing for GL, CEM, ISEB, Buckinghamshire, Bexley, Kent, Medway, Slough, West Midlands or other four-subject routes. For South West Herts alone, prioritise Maths and Verbal Reasoning.

Answer Sheet Technique

The South West Herts Academic Ability Test uses separate answer sheets that are machine-marked. This means pupils must practise recording answers clearly and accurately.

Children should learn to:

• read each question carefully
• work in the question booklet where allowed
• mark answers on the separate answer sheet
• keep the question number and answer number aligned
• erase changed answers completely
• avoid making extra marks on the answer sheet
• check that every intended answer has been transferred
• manage time without rushing the answer sheet

Scholars Tutorial printed paper sets support Multiple Choice Format practice, which can help pupils build answer-selection discipline and avoid avoidable marking errors.

Suggested Weekly South West Herts Preparation Plan

A balanced weekly academic preparation plan could include:

• 2 days per week: Maths arithmetic or problem solving
• 1 day per week: Maths word problems
• 2 days per week: Verbal Reasoning and vocabulary
• 1 day per week: printed paper or answer-sheet practice
• 1 day per week: review mistakes and revisit weak topics

Add music practice separately if the child is applying under the Music Criterion. Add sport-specific preparation only if the child is applying for the Queens’ School Sports Test route and meets the relevant criteria.

Common South West Herts Preparation Mistakes

Avoid these common mistakes:

• Assuming South West Herts is a full four-subject grammar-school 11+ test
• Spending too much time on Non-Verbal Reasoning for South West Herts academic-only preparation
• Ignoring Verbal Reasoning vocabulary
• Practising Maths arithmetic but not word problems
• Using question booklets but not practising answer-sheet technique
• Doing papers without reviewing mistakes
• Missing the Consortium registration deadline
• Forgetting to select all required tests during registration
• Assuming the test venue affects the final school allocation
• Assuming there is a single pass mark across all schools
• Forgetting that the Local Authority school application is separate from test registration

How Parents Can Support at Home

Parents can make South West Herts preparation more effective by keeping it focused, calm and consistent.

Helpful habits include:

• Check which Consortium test routes each target school uses
• Read individual school admissions policies carefully
• Register for all required tests during the official registration window
• Practise Maths little and often
• Build vocabulary through reading and word discussion
• Use Verbal Reasoning practice consistently
• Review mistakes after each test
• Use online practice to target gaps
• Use printed papers for answer-sheet discipline
• Check the Parent Portal regularly during the admissions year
• Submit the Local Authority secondary application separately
• Focus on confidence as well as scores

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Advice

South West Herts preparation should be focused on the correct route.

For Academic Ability, pupils should prioritise Mathematics, Maths word problems, Verbal Reasoning, vocabulary and answer-sheet technique. English and SPAG can support vocabulary and accuracy, but Non-Verbal Reasoning is not a core South West Herts academic test area.

The Scholars Tutorial online platform helps pupils strengthen these areas through organised subject categories, while printed paper sets help children practise with realistic exam discipline.

For South West Herts academic preparation, the most relevant Scholars Tutorial areas are 11+ Maths, 11+ Maths : Word Problems, 11+ VR, Foundation Maths, Foundation VR, Advanced Maths and Advanced VOCAB.

By combining online practice, printed paper sets, answer-sheet technique, careful mistake review and up-to-date admissions checking, pupils can build the confidence and accuracy needed for the South West Herts Schools Consortium academic route.