St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School 11 Plus: Exam & Preparation Guide
St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School uses the Slough Secondary Transfer Test set by GL. The assessment contains two papers: Paper 1 covers English and Verbal Reasoning, while Paper 2 covers Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning. This guide explains the St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School 11 Plus format, what its structure means for preparation, and how our GL courses and Slough mock exams can help your child prepare effectively.
St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School 11 Plus at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| School | St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School |
| Area | Slough, Berkshire |
| Entrance test | Slough Secondary Transfer Test |
| Exam provider | GL |
| Exam structure | Two papers |
| Paper 1 | English and Verbal Reasoning |
| Paper 2 | Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning |
| Our mocks | Slough 11 Plus Mock Exams |
Information and Mock Exam review: The information on this page and Learning Street’s Slough mock exams are reviewed against the latest reliable information available about the St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School entrance test.
Our Slough mocks are designed around the current two-paper structure covering English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
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Exam Format | Mock Exams | Pass Marks | Preparation | Courses
St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School 11 Plus Exam Format
The St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School 11 Plus uses the Slough test set by GL and consists of two papers: Paper 1 contains English and Verbal Reasoning, while Paper 2 contains Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Paper 1 – English and Verbal Reasoning requires children to combine secure literacy skills with verbal reasoning techniques and strong vocabulary.
Paper 2 – Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning combines mathematical problem solving with the ability to identify visual patterns, relationships and changes.
What Does the St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School Exam Format Mean for Preparation?
The Slough test requires children to move between different types of thinking within each paper. Paper 1 combines literacy and Verbal Reasoning, while Paper 2 combines Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Vocabulary is particularly important because it supports both English and Verbal Reasoning. A child may understand a reasoning technique but still struggle if unfamiliar words prevent them from interpreting the question accurately.
Maths preparation should develop secure KS2 knowledge alongside the ability to apply familiar methods to less predictable problems.
Non-Verbal Reasoning requires children to analyse visual information carefully rather than rely on instinct or surface similarities.
As preparation develops, children should become comfortable switching between the two subjects contained within each paper rather than always practising subjects separately.
A sensible progression is literacy and numeracy foundations → vocabulary and subject skills → reasoning techniques → accuracy → flexible application → revision → timed work → complete Slough mock exams.
St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School 11 Plus Mock Exams and Practice Papers
At Learning Street, we research the known Slough format, paper length and timings when producing our mocks. We also provide realistic answer sheets, invigilation instructions and guidance on when time should be called so parents can reproduce the practical demands of the test at home as closely as possible.
Pack 1 | Pack 2 | Pack 3 | Pack 4
Save 20% – Buy all four for £48.
View the Slough 11 Plus Mock Exam Bundle – Packs 1–4
All four mock exams contain different questions, allowing families to space fresh tests throughout preparation and use later mocks to measure improvement.
St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School 11 Plus Pass Marks
We do not provide one fixed raw practice-paper percentage that should be treated as a permanent St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School 11 Plus pass mark.
Results from our Slough mocks are best used to measure progress and identify weaker areas in English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, accuracy, timing or exam technique rather than as a direct prediction of an official entrance-test result.
How to Prepare for the St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School 11 Plus
Effective St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School preparation should develop secure skills across English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning before children rely heavily on complete timed mock exams.
The strongest preparation develops underlying knowledge and reasoning techniques first before gradually introducing unfamiliar questions, mixed sections, tighter timings and complete papers.
English Preparation
English preparation should develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Children should become comfortable reading unfamiliar material carefully, identifying relevant information and understanding exactly what a question requires.
Vocabulary deserves particular attention because it also supports Verbal Reasoning.
Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning Preparation
Verbal Reasoning relies on both reasoning technique and vocabulary.
Children should learn systematic approaches to different Verbal Reasoning question types while developing vocabulary consistently over time.
New words should be introduced deliberately and revisited regularly rather than memorised briefly and then forgotten.
Once individual techniques are secure, children should increasingly complete mixed Verbal Reasoning work where they need to identify the appropriate approach independently.
Maths Preparation
Maths preparation should begin with secure KS2 knowledge. Times tables, mental Maths and the four operations should become accurate and reliable before substantial time pressure is introduced.
Children should then progress towards mixed mathematical problems where they need to decide independently which method is required.
The aim should be flexible mathematical problem solving rather than reliance on questions always being grouped by topic.
Non-Verbal Reasoning Preparation
Non-Verbal Reasoning requires children to analyse visual information carefully and identify patterns, relationships and changes.
Children should learn to compare figures systematically rather than choosing an answer simply because it appears plausible.
Preparation should begin with individual reasoning techniques before moving towards mixed Non-Verbal Reasoning questions where the required approach is not identified in advance.
Preparing for Mixed Papers
The Slough test combines two areas within each paper: English with Verbal Reasoning and Maths with Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Once individual subjects are secure, children should therefore become comfortable moving between these areas during the same practice session.
This helps develop the mental flexibility needed to change from one type of problem to another without losing accuracy or concentration.
Building Exam Technique and Stamina
Once the underlying knowledge and reasoning skills are secure, timed work should become increasingly important.
Children should progress from accurate untimed questions to shorter timed sections, mixed work and eventually complete papers.
Full Slough mock exams are most useful later in preparation, when they can show how well a child combines knowledge, reasoning, accuracy, timing and concentration under realistic test-style conditions.
View the Slough 11 Plus Mock Exam Bundle – Packs 1–4
Which St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School 11 Plus Course Should You Choose?
We provide Complete, Enhance and Boost GL preparation routes for children preparing for St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School.
Our GL programmes cover Vocabulary Development, English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning, providing preparation across the areas included in the current Slough test.
The most suitable programme depends mainly on how much preparation time remains.
| Preparation time | Course | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 30–40+ weeks | Complete GL | Our most comprehensive GL preparation |
| 15–30 weeks | Enhance GL | A shorter structured GL programme |
| 6–15 weeks | Boost GL | Focused GL preparation when less time remains |
Complete GL — 30–40+ Weeks
Our Complete GL 11 Plus Programme is our most comprehensive GL preparation route.
It contains 40 structured parts covering Vocabulary Development, English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
The programme includes more than 60 timed papers and tests, full answers with detailed explanations and additional focus on core skills such as vocabulary development and accuracy in English and Maths.
The Complete GL 11 Plus Programme
Focused Complete options are also available:
Complete – Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning
Complete – Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Enhance GL — 15–30 Weeks
Our Enhance GL programme provides a shorter 20-part preparation route covering Vocabulary Development, English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
It includes more than 35 timed papers and tests alongside structured learning and detailed answers.
Enhance is most suitable where there is still enough time for substantial preparation but not enough time to work properly through all 40 parts of Complete.
Focused Enhance options are also available:
Enhance – Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning
Enhance – Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Boost GL — 6–15 Weeks
Our Boost GL programme is the shortest full GL preparation route.
It contains 10 intensive parts covering Vocabulary Development, English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning and includes more than 25 timed papers and tests.
Boost is most suitable where there is insufficient time to work properly through Complete or Enhance but a family still wants structured GL preparation.
Focused Boost options are also available:
Boost – Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning
Boost – Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Starting Earlier?
If your child is still developing the literacy, numeracy, vocabulary and reasoning foundations needed before dedicated St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School 11 Plus preparation begins, our primary-school course chooser can help you select an appropriate starting point.
Primary School – Course Chooser for Younger Children
Already Completed Substantial Preparation?
Our 11 Plus Revision Course – GL is suitable for children who have already completed substantial preparation through books, tutoring or another programme but now want a structured period of GL-style revision.
It contains 4 intensive parts and is normally completed over approximately 4–6 weeks.
It should not normally be completed after one of our Complete, Enhance or Boost programmes because there is some crossover in the material.
Also Sitting Independent School Exams?
Children also sitting independent-school entrance tests may need additional preparation in subjects or formats beyond the St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School Slough test.
The courses below are separate supplementary options and should not be interpreted as additional papers or components of the St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School entrance test.
11 Plus Creative Writing Course
11 Plus Maths Stretch and Revision
Current St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School Admissions Information
Admissions arrangements can change from year to year. For general guidance on 11 Plus preparation and our courses, use our FAQs below.
