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Original poster

Queen Elizabeth boys 11+ test

32 replies

CrazyArrow · 21/08/2025 14:18

May I ask 2 questions to the boys who took the QE entrance test?

  • I downloaded the Atom English mock test paper which says 'You have 45 minutes to complete this paper', but the English paper says 'You have 50 minutes to complete this paper'. However, I heard the test time is in fact 60 minutes. may I know what is the exact minutes for the test?
  • I found my DS got less marks when doing paper mock tests than the online mock test in Atom learning. is the paper harder than the online one?

Really thanks a lot.

OP posts:
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niketh · 07/06/2026 10:57

As a current QE parent of a Y10, I'd say the biggest difference is usually timing rather than difficulty. A lot of students find paper tests harder at first because you have to manage your working and transfer answers accurately under pressure.

Regular timed paper practice helped me get much quicker and more confident with the format.

niketh · 06/06/2026 20:35

there is a mock that i saw recently at gradlify.com

  • i have my son signed up for it.
But yes, the exam is to be honest quite easy, just very time pressuring. My older son got in.
nightmarepickle2025 · 05/09/2025 10:40

The email says we get the date/ time one week before

Examprepmum · 04/09/2025 23:53

Does anyone know when are we going to receive the exam date/time confirmation for QE? Thanks

Original poster
CrazyArrow · 03/09/2025 09:02

Coolparent · 02/09/2025 22:35

@CrazyArrow Since past few years there have been 64 questions in English, 45 mins and Maths 50-60 questions 50 mins. The 64 questions in Eng started in 2020 or 2021 and has been there since then. However, this may changr again. This is the information provided to us by 11+ Harrow. I’d say practice for 64 questions for Eng and 60 for Maths.

Edited
Show quote history

Thanks a lot. I noted this down. 64 questions is more than Atom learning mock test.

OP posts:
IndeCandidate · 03/09/2025 06:36

@Coolparent you are abs right.

gl practice papers doesn’t reflect the last 2-3 years changes much.

Coolparent · 02/09/2025 22:35

CrazyArrow · 02/09/2025 16:45

I did write an email to QE boys admission team when I poste this question here.

  • duration
  • number of questions
Unfortunately, QE said 'We are not permitted to provide information regarding the questions or the duration of the entrance tests for reasons of commercial confidentiality imposed by the company who supply them.'.

However, they asked me to find some sample papers that may assist your preparations by familiarising you with some of the skills needed for the tests at ...

I did and this link directed me to GL assessment materials which indicated that

  • maths has 50 questions for 50 minutes. However, Atom has 45 minutes for 60 questions.
  • English has 50 minutes for 49/54 questions. This one is a big of consistent because Atom has 50 minutes for 54 questions.

@CrazyArrow Since past few years there have been 64 questions in English, 45 mins and Maths 50-60 questions 50 mins. The 64 questions in Eng started in 2020 or 2021 and has been there since then. However, this may changr again. This is the information provided to us by 11+ Harrow. I’d say practice for 64 questions for Eng and 60 for Maths.

Original poster
CrazyArrow · 02/09/2025 16:45

I did write an email to QE boys admission team when I poste this question here.

  • duration
  • number of questions
Unfortunately, QE said 'We are not permitted to provide information regarding the questions or the duration of the entrance tests for reasons of commercial confidentiality imposed by the company who supply them.'.

However, they asked me to find some sample papers that may assist your preparations by familiarising you with some of the skills needed for the tests at ...

I did and this link directed me to GL assessment materials which indicated that

  • maths has 50 questions for 50 minutes. However, Atom has 45 minutes for 60 questions.
  • English has 50 minutes for 49/54 questions. This one is a big of consistent because Atom has 50 minutes for 54 questions.

Sample test papers - Queen Elizabeth's School

https://www.qebarnet.co.uk/admissions-information/sample-test-papers/

OP posts:
Examprepmum · 01/09/2025 10:49

Magnificentkitteh · 01/09/2025 09:59

Has anyone else using atom suddenly had a glitch in their data? She's been tracking above the line all along and suddenly the day before the test the line has moved up significantly and she's showing as beneath it all along? I've told her not to worry about it as there doesn't seem to be any data for August and also i had put today as the test date but it's rattled her and I'd like to reassure her if possible

Yes same here. I read on another thread someone sent an email to atom learning and they said it’s an error on their end.

Examprepmum · 01/09/2025 10:47

@CrazyArrow I think it’s just a matter of practice, if he does it a few days in a row he will get used to it. The answer sheet should be next to the paper so they don’t need to go back and forth. And the line on answer sheet should be a firm line without filling in the whole square.

Original poster
CrazyArrow · 01/09/2025 10:29

Magnificentkitteh · 01/09/2025 10:26

I think it would include that time unfortunately

Show quote history

Thanks. I then would ask him to do more paper tests to practise this.

OP posts:
Magnificentkitteh · 01/09/2025 10:26

CrazyArrow · 01/09/2025 10:18

We did more paper tests recently and I found the main challenge for my son is that 'time'. when he did online one, he just entered the answer, but when he use paper, he felt distracted by copying the answer to the answer sheet. I asked him to copy the answers at the end but he worries that he might has no time.

I wrote an email to the school to ask whether the 45/50 minutes test includes the time copying answers to the answer sheet.

Show quote history

I think it would include that time unfortunately

Original poster
CrazyArrow · 01/09/2025 10:20

Magnificentkitteh · 01/09/2025 09:59

Has anyone else using atom suddenly had a glitch in their data? She's been tracking above the line all along and suddenly the day before the test the line has moved up significantly and she's showing as beneath it all along? I've told her not to worry about it as there doesn't seem to be any data for August and also i had put today as the test date but it's rattled her and I'd like to reassure her if possible

I checked mine and found this error too.

OP posts:
Original poster
CrazyArrow · 01/09/2025 10:18

Examprepmum · 31/08/2025 21:40

My son has been doing Atom learning tests for a while (for different schools including QE), both online and printed, they seem to be similar level. He usually scores better on printed ones and he feels more confident doing on paper.

However, I’ve purchased past papers of QE (from Oxbridge website) and he did much much worse than on atom.. really not what we wanted to see just weeks before the exam. I’m wondering if anyone has more information- are atom learning tests way easier than the real exam??

Many thanks!

We did more paper tests recently and I found the main challenge for my son is that 'time'. when he did online one, he just entered the answer, but when he use paper, he felt distracted by copying the answer to the answer sheet. I asked him to copy the answers at the end but he worries that he might has no time.

I wrote an email to the school to ask whether the 45/50 minutes test includes the time copying answers to the answer sheet.

OP posts:
Magnificentkitteh · 01/09/2025 10:01

Oh I've just had a response from atom and apparently it's an error

Magnificentkitteh · 01/09/2025 09:59

Has anyone else using atom suddenly had a glitch in their data? She's been tracking above the line all along and suddenly the day before the test the line has moved up significantly and she's showing as beneath it all along? I've told her not to worry about it as there doesn't seem to be any data for August and also i had put today as the test date but it's rattled her and I'd like to reassure her if possible

IndeCandidate · 01/09/2025 08:34

@Examprepmum - the higher the school in league table , higher accuracy required. It’s never abt knowing higher class concepts but basic concept with 100% accuracy.

qe is more calculation based

Surton paper maths was hardest as it tested application and olaves tests very creative prob but mostly very core basics.

Kent n others are average maths

Examprepmum · 01/09/2025 05:39

Thanks for sharing your experience @IndeCandidate that’s reassuring, i had an anxiety spike..

@Ifeelmyheartbeat thank you so much! Yes he has been tutoring and doing papers, but north london is super competitive, looks like everyone is tutoring (that’s the case in his class). Fingers crossed everything goes smooth on the day.

Ifeelmyheartbeat · 31/08/2025 22:44

It really just depends on how all boys score on the day as to what the pass mark is anyway. If you've been tutoring and done past papers you'll probably get in as most of the cohort won't from my experience at another grammar area.

IndeCandidate · 31/08/2025 22:39

@Examprepmum no not really. Mock providers or tutors have no experience of paper setting for 11 plus. They unnecessarily make paper very hard n scare child n parent.

these mocks are no value add

Examprepmum · 31/08/2025 22:32

Thanks @IndeCandidate you’re right, those were past papers of qe in person Mock exams organised by oxbridge institute. But I understand they are similar level of real exam..

IndeCandidate · 31/08/2025 22:27

@Examprepmum - there is no past paper of QE in market. School doesn’t release actual papers.
You have been misinformed

Examprepmum · 31/08/2025 21:40

My son has been doing Atom learning tests for a while (for different schools including QE), both online and printed, they seem to be similar level. He usually scores better on printed ones and he feels more confident doing on paper.

However, I’ve purchased past papers of QE (from Oxbridge website) and he did much much worse than on atom.. really not what we wanted to see just weeks before the exam. I’m wondering if anyone has more information- are atom learning tests way easier than the real exam??

Many thanks!

Magnificentkitteh · 21/08/2025 17:16

Oh sorry, misunderstood. DD hasn't done atom paper.

redkite27 · 21/08/2025 17:13

Magnificentkitteh · 21/08/2025 16:30

Which one did you do? DD did one in Harrow.

DS did one in Finchley road