Selection testing changes: important information

March 10, 2026

North Yorkshire Council has, today, informed all catchment primary school and their parents of children in Years 4 and 5 of a change to the 11+ testing for Ripon Grammar School

The test in September 2026 will now comprise a verbal skills test and a non-verbal reasoning with mathematics test. By combining elements of verbal and non-verbal reasoning the papers will continue to test academic potential irrespective of schooling and background. However, by adding a Key Stage 2 element, the tests will also respond to the primary school curriculum and the student’s aptitude for learning.

The tests will be as follows:

  • Verbal Skills
    • This paper combines a Key Stage 2 reading comprehension and spelling test with verbal reasoning questions comprising:

    1) English: a passage to read followed by 14 questions, followed on by 12 spelling and grammar questions

    2) Verbal Reasoning: 32 questions

    All questions are multiple choice.

    The new paper replaces the previous test which used only verbal reasoning questions without the KS2 English comprehension element.

  • Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR) with Mathematics
    • This paper combines Key Stage 2 mathematics and non-verbal reasoning questions comprising:
  1. Two non-verbal reasoning sections of twenty questions per section. Instructions are given with practice questions before the timed sections.

2) Mathematics section with 25 questions. There are no practice questions for this section.

All questions are multiple choice.

The new paper replaces the previous test which used only non-verbal reasoning questions without the KS2 mathematics element.

The test material will continue to be provided and marked by GL Assessment. Parents are encouraged to ensure that their child is familiar with the types of questions set on these two papers. Free familiarisation materials are available from GL Assessment

Free Materials – GL Assessment 11+

The application round for testing for entry in September 2027 will open on 30 April 2026 on the North Yorkshire website Selective schools | North Yorkshire Council

Jonathan M Webb

Headmaster

Ripon Grammar School