How to prepare for the Al-Zahra School 11+ exam

The exam at a glance

For 2028 entry, Al-Zahra School uses its own entrance paper. The school assesses Maths and English only. Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning are not part of the test, so preparation is best kept focused on secure core skills in these two subjects.

The school’s admissions information says that applicants are assessed for entry and that successful candidates are invited to an interview with the Headteacher. At the time of writing, we could not find an official page confirming the exact paper length, whether the test is written on paper or computer, or how the day is timed. Parents should therefore treat the school’s own admissions page as the place to check for any updated details before registering.

In practical terms, families should expect the admissions process to include:

an application to the school
an entrance assessment in Maths and English
an interview stage for successful candidates

Because there are only two tested subjects, the balance of preparation is slightly different from schools using broader 11+ formats. There is less need to spread time across multiple papers, and more need to build depth: careful reading, clear writing, fluent arithmetic, problem solving and tidy mathematical method all matter.

If your daughter is aiming for Year 7 entry in September 2028, she is likely to sit the assessment in the autumn of Year 6. However, we did not find a published 2028 testing date on the school website, so do check the school directly once the admissions round opens.

Registration and key dates

Al-Zahra School appears to run admissions directly through the school, rather than through a local authority selective testing system or a grammar-school consortium. The school’s entry procedure page says parents should complete an application form, and it also notes that entry is subject to assessment.

We did not find a published set of 2028 entry dates on the school website at the time of writing. That includes the opening date for applications, the deadline, the assessment date and the results date. The school does say that it encourages pupils to join at the beginning of the academic year, while also allowing in-year applications apart from Year 11, subject to vacancies.

That means the safest approach for parents is:

read the school’s entry procedure page carefully
contact the admissions team or school office early in Year 5 or by the start of Year 6
ask for the application form and the timetable for Year 7 entry
check whether any supporting documents are needed

As the school has not published a full key-date schedule that we could verify, it is better not to rely on assumed timings. For updates, keep an eye on the school’s admissions page and consider using Free email alerts for this school's key dates.

You can also see our overview page here: The Al-Zahra School 11+ guide (format, catchment, dates).

Who can apply: catchment and admissions

Al-Zahra School is an independent girls’ school for pupils aged 7 to 16. The school’s admissions information states that it accepts girls from Year 4 to Year 10. It also explains that from Year 3, girls from Al-Sadiq School are automatically enrolled into Year 4 of Al-Zahra School.

For other applicants, the school says that entry is by assessment, with successful candidates invited to an interview with the Headteacher. The school also states that in-year applications are possible apart from Year 11, with places awarded subject to available vacancies.

We did not find an official published catchment area, distance rule or postcode priority. As an independent school, Al-Zahra may not use catchment in the same way as state grammar schools, but parents should not assume that location is irrelevant unless the school confirms this directly.

We also did not find a verified published figure for:

the number of Year 7 places available each year
the number of applicants
any pass mark or qualifying score
any ranked oversubscription criteria for Year 7 entry

If these details matter for your decision, the best next step is to ask the school directly and check the latest admissions material on its website.

For fees, the school’s fees page lists Year 7 to Year 11 fees as £2330 + VAT per term, or £6990 + VAT per annum. As fee structures can change, always verify the latest published schedule before applying.

A month-by-month preparation plan

Because Al-Zahra tests only English and Maths, a calm, steady plan usually works better than an intensive one. For most Year 5 children, 3 to 4 hours a week in the early stages is enough, rising gradually in Year 6.

January to March of Year 5

Keep the focus on fundamentals. Aim for two or three short sessions a week in each subject.

Maths: secure number bonds, times tables, written methods, fractions, decimals and routine problem solving
English: daily reading, vocabulary building, spelling patterns, punctuation and short written responses

At this stage, there is no need for full timed papers. The priority is accuracy and confidence.

April to June of Year 5

Increase to around 4 hours a week in total if your child is coping well. Start introducing mixed-topic work.

Use short comprehension tasks with both retrieval and inference questions
Practise planning and writing one clear paragraph at a time
In Maths, move from single-topic questions to short mixed sets

This is also a good time to notice weak areas. If fractions are shaky or writing lacks structure, tackle those now rather than waiting for Year 6.

July to August before Year 6

Keep work light but consistent over the summer: around 2 to 3 hours a week is usually enough.

Read widely and talk about what has been read
Do a little arithmetic and problem solving each week
Write short pieces regularly rather than one long essay occasionally

Towards the end of the summer, introduce a first gentle timed exercise, perhaps one section rather than a whole paper.

September of Year 6

This is the point to become more exam-aware. Move up to around 4 to 5 hours a week, divided into manageable sessions.

Start timed Maths practice once a week
Start timed comprehension or short writing practice once a week
Review mistakes carefully after every task

Do not let timing dominate too early. A child who rushes into timed work without secure method often makes avoidable errors.

October of Year 6 and the weeks before the exam

If the assessment is held in the autumn, this is the period for rehearsal rather than new learning. Around 5 to 6 hours a week is realistic for many children, but keep one day completely work-free if possible.

Use short, purposeful timed tasks
Practise checking work at the end
Keep handwriting neat and presentation clear
Reduce workload slightly in the final days

The last week should feel calm. Sleep, routine and confidence matter as much as one extra worksheet.

Subject by subject: what to practise

Maths

As Al-Zahra sets its own paper and tests Maths directly, preparation should centre on strong Key Stage 2 understanding rather than obscure tricks. Build confidence in:

the four operations
place value and arithmetic fluency
fractions, decimals and percentages
ratio and proportion at a simple level
measurement, time and money
shape, space and basic geometry
worded problems and multi-step reasoning

Good practice looks like this: first learn a method securely, then answer mixed questions, then complete short timed sets. Encourage your child to write working clearly, especially in multi-step questions. Independent-school Maths papers often reward method and careful reading, not just speed.

English

For English, expect preparation to cover reading and writing rather than reasoning-style question types. A strong routine usually includes:

Comprehension: retrieving information, explaining vocabulary in context, inference, tone and evidence from the text
Vocabulary: understanding unfamiliar words through context and building a wider reading vocabulary over time
Grammar and punctuation: sentence control, tenses, clauses, apostrophes, commas and accurate basic punctuation
Spelling: common patterns, high-frequency words and proofreading habits
Writing: planning, clear paragraphing, descriptive precision, narrative structure or discursive clarity depending on task type

To practise well, ask your child not just to answer questions, but to explain why an answer is correct. In writing, focus on clarity and structure before trying to make the piece sound overly sophisticated. A well-organised response with accurate punctuation usually scores better than an ambitious but muddled one.

As there is no Verbal Reasoning or Non-Verbal Reasoning in this process, families can spend their time more productively on reading quality texts, discussing ideas, improving written expression and securing mathematical fluency.

Practice papers and mock exams

Practice papers are useful when they are introduced at the right time and used carefully afterwards. Because Al-Zahra assesses Maths and English only, your practice should stay close to those two subjects rather than spreading effort across other 11+ formats.

A sensible approach is:

start with untimed skill-building
move to short timed sections
only then use fuller papers under quiet, realistic conditions
review every mistake and keep a notebook of patterns

When reviewing work, sort errors into three groups:

knowledge gaps — for example, fractions or punctuation rules not yet secure
method problems — for example, not showing steps or failing to plan writing
timing errors — for example, spending too long on one question

This makes practice much more effective than simply doing paper after paper.

You can use our school-specific resources here:

If you use a mock exam, treat it as information rather than judgement. The best mock is one that highlights what to improve next, especially in written English, where feedback on structure and expression is often more valuable than a raw mark.

On the day

For a school-set assessment, the most helpful preparation is practical and calm.

Check the time, location and arrival instructions the day before
Prepare any required stationery the night before if the school asks for it
Allow extra travel time so the morning does not feel rushed
Offer a familiar breakfast and keep conversation light
Remind your child that the aim is to show what she knows, not to answer every question perfectly

For the paper itself, encourage a few simple habits:

read instructions carefully
underline key information in worded Maths problems if allowed
leave a difficult question and return if time remains
check spellings, punctuation and capital letters in English
re-read answers if there is time at the end

If there is an interview afterwards or on a later date, the best preparation is not scripting. Instead, help your daughter practise speaking clearly about her interests, her learning and why she would like to join the school.

After the exam: results, allocation and appeals

Because Al-Zahra School is an independent school, the post-exam process is not the same as state secondary transfer through the local authority. The school’s admissions page says that candidates are assessed for entry and that successful applicants are invited to an interview with the Headteacher.

We did not find a published official timeline stating exactly when results are released or how quickly families are expected to accept a place. We also did not find a published appeals process in the way parents might expect for a state grammar school.

In general, for an independent-school process, families can expect some version of the following:

the child sits the entrance assessment
the school reviews performance
selected applicants are invited to interview
offers are made by the school
parents accept the place and complete any further admissions steps

If your daughter is not offered a place, ask politely whether a waiting list operates and whether in-year entry may be possible later, since the school says in-year applications can be made apart from Year 11, subject to vacancies.

For exact result timing and next steps, parents should contact the school directly once they have applied.

What has changed recently

We did not find any officially announced recent change, in the last two years, to the entrance exam board, tested subjects, catchment rules or Year 7 admissions process on the school pages we reviewed. The current admissions information we found continues to describe school-run assessment and interview-based entry, alongside in-year applications subject to vacancies.

Frequently asked questions

Does Al-Zahra School use GL or CEM for 11+ entry?

No. For 2028 entry, Al-Zahra School uses its own entrance paper.

What subjects are in the Al-Zahra School entrance exam?

Maths and English only. Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning are not tested.

Is there an interview for Al-Zahra School admissions?

Yes. The school says successful candidates are invited to an interview with the Headteacher.

Does Al-Zahra School publish a pass mark?

We did not find a published pass mark or qualifying score. Check the school's admissions page or contact the school directly for the latest information.

Can girls apply in-year to Al-Zahra School?

Yes, the school says in-year applications are possible apart from Year 11, subject to available vacancies.

Are girls from Al-Sadiq School given automatic entry?

The school states that from Year 3, girls from Al-Sadiq School are automatically enrolled into Year 4 of Al-Zahra School.

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Sources

Al-Zahra School – Entry Procedure: School website admissions page; applicants are assessed for entry; successful candidates are invited to an interview with the Headteacher; girls are accepted from Year 4 to Year 10; from Year 3, girls from Al-Sadiq School are automatically enrolled into Year 4 of Al-Zahra School; in-year application
Al-Zahra School – Home: School website identity and overview; independent girls' school; ages 7 to 16.

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Written by ElevenReady from the school's published information and reviewed by a person before publishing. Last reviewed 4 October 2026. Exam arrangements change. Check the school's admissions page for the current year.