Sutton Grammar School 11 Plus: Exam & Preparation Guide
Sutton Grammar School uses the Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET) followed by a second-stage examination for children who qualify. Stage 1 contains separate multiple-choice Maths and English papers, while Stage 2 moves to written-response English and Mathematics. This guide explains both stages of the Sutton Grammar School 11 Plus and how our Sutton courses, Stage 1 mocks and Stage 2 mocks can support preparation.
Sutton Grammar School 11 Plus at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| School | Sutton Grammar School |
| Area | Sutton, London |
| Selection process | Stage 1 SET followed by Stage 2 for successful candidates |
| Stage 1 – Paper 1 | Maths – 45 minutes, 50 questions |
| Stage 1 – Paper 2 | English – 50 minutes, 34 questions including two comprehension texts |
| Stage 1 response format | Multiple choice |
| Stage 2 | Written English and written Mathematics |
| Our mocks | Sutton Stage 1 and Sutton Stage 2 Mock Exams |
Information and Mock Exam review: The information on this page and Learning Street’s Sutton mock exams are reviewed against the latest reliable information available about the Sutton Grammar School entrance test.
We provide separate mock series for Stage 1 and Stage 2, reflecting the change from the multiple-choice SET to written-response English and Mathematics at the second stage.
Quick Contents
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Exam Format | Mock Exams | Pass Marks | Preparation | Courses
Sutton Grammar School 11 Plus Exam Format
The Sutton Grammar School selection process consists of a multiple-choice Stage 1 SET containing separate Maths and English papers, followed for successful candidates by a Stage 2 assessment in written English and written Mathematics.
Stage 1 – Selective Eligibility Test (SET)
Paper 1 – Maths contains 50 questions in 45 minutes.
Paper 2 – English contains 34 questions in 50 minutes and includes two comprehension texts.
The SET uses a multiple-choice format. Children who meet the required Stage 1 standard can then progress to the second-stage examination.
Stage 2 – Written English and Mathematics
Sutton Grammar School shares its Stage 2 examination with Wallington County Grammar School and Wilson’s School.
Stage 2 moves away from the multiple-choice SET format. Children complete written English and written Mathematics assessments and need to produce their own responses rather than select answers from multiple-choice options.
What Does the Sutton Grammar School Exam Format Mean for Preparation?
Sutton requires preparation for two different styles of testing.
Stage 1 rewards speed, accuracy, reading efficiency and secure Maths and English knowledge within a multiple-choice format. The English paper also places substantial emphasis on comprehension, including two separate texts.
Children who reach Stage 2 then need to adjust to producing their own written answers. Maths therefore requires clear working and independent problem solving, while English requires accurate and well-developed written responses.
A sensible progression is literacy and numeracy foundations → vocabulary and technical English → Maths and comprehension skills → accuracy → Stage 1 timing → Stage 1 mocks → written-response Maths and English → Stage 2 practice.
Sutton Grammar School 11 Plus Mock Exams and Practice Papers
At Learning Street, we research the known Sutton 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.
Sutton Stage 1 Mock Exams
Our Stage 1 Sutton mocks reproduce the core SET structure of a 45-minute Maths paper containing 50 questions and a 50-minute English paper containing 34 questions and two comprehension texts.
Stage 1 Pack 1 | Stage 1 Pack 2 | Stage 1 Pack 3 | Stage 1 Pack 4
Save 20% – Buy all four Stage 1 mocks for £48.
View the Sutton Stage 1 Mock Exam Bundle – Packs 1–4
All four Stage 1 mock exams contain different questions, allowing families to space fresh tests throughout preparation and use later mocks to measure improvement.
Sutton Stage 2 Mock Exams
Stage 2 is different from Stage 1 because the real assessment uses written English and written Mathematics rather than multiple-choice papers.
Our Stage 2 mocks focus on these written-response demands. Each mock contains a 45-minute free-response Maths paper where children show their working and record their own answers, together with extended Creative Writing practice.
The Creative Writing paper is our focused preparation for the written English demands of Stage 2. It should not be interpreted as a claim that the Sutton Grammar School Stage 2 English assessment consists only of Creative Writing.
Stage 2 Pack 1 | Stage 2 Pack 2 | Stage 2 Pack 3 | Stage 2 Pack 4
Save 20% – Buy all four Stage 2 mocks for £48.
View the Sutton Stage 2 Mock Exam Bundle – Packs 1–4
All four Stage 2 mock exams contain different Maths questions and writing tasks, allowing families to use fresh papers throughout second-stage preparation.
Sutton Grammar School 11 Plus Pass Marks
We do not provide one fixed raw practice-paper percentage that should be treated as a permanent Sutton Grammar School 11 Plus pass mark.
Results from our Sutton mocks are best used to measure progress and identify weaker areas in Maths, English, comprehension, vocabulary, technical English, written responses, accuracy, timing or exam technique rather than as a direct prediction of an official Stage 1 or Stage 2 result.
How to Prepare for the Sutton Grammar School 11 Plus
Effective Sutton Grammar School preparation should first build secure Maths and English skills for Stage 1 before children rely heavily on complete timed SET mocks.
Children who progress to Stage 2 then need to move from multiple-choice work towards producing strong independent written responses.
English Preparation
Stage 1 English preparation should develop reading comprehension, vocabulary and technical English.
The English SET contains two comprehension texts, so children need to read quickly while still interpreting both texts accurately.
Technical English should also be developed systematically rather than relying only on general comprehension practice.
Vocabulary deserves consistent attention because stronger word knowledge supports comprehension, technical English and later written work.
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.
Stage 1 later requires children to handle 50 questions in 45 minutes, so speed becomes important once accuracy and understanding are secure.
Children should also progress towards mixed problems where they need to recognise independently which method is required.
Preparing for Stage 1 Timing
Stage 1 places significant pressure on both reading speed and mathematical efficiency.
Children should therefore progress from accurate untimed practice to shorter timed exercises before attempting complete SET papers.
Full Stage 1 mocks are most useful once the core English and Maths skills are secure, allowing parents to identify whether marks are being lost through knowledge gaps, accuracy, timing, concentration or exam technique.
Stage 2 Written English Preparation
Stage 2 requires children to produce their own written English responses rather than work through another multiple-choice paper.
Preparation should therefore develop the ability to communicate ideas clearly and accurately, organise responses effectively and maintain strong spelling, punctuation, grammar, vocabulary and sentence construction.
Extended writing practice can help children become more confident planning, structuring and sustaining a response under time pressure.
Stage 2 Written Maths Preparation
Stage 2 Maths also moves away from multiple choice.
Children need to solve problems independently, show appropriate working and record their own answers accurately.
Preparation should therefore focus not only on reaching the correct answer but also on developing clear methods and avoiding mistakes caused by incomplete working or poor presentation.
Building Stage 2 Exam Technique
Stage 2 preparation should begin after children already have secure Maths and English foundations.
Written-response practice can then be introduced progressively before children complete full Stage 2 mock papers.
Our Stage 2 mocks can help identify whether weaknesses lie in mathematical knowledge, working, accuracy, written expression, structure, technical English, timing or general exam technique.
View the Sutton Stage 1 Mock Exam Bundle – Packs 1–4
View the Sutton Stage 2 Mock Exam Bundle – Packs 1–4
Which Sutton Grammar School 11 Plus Course Should You Choose?
We provide Complete, Enhance and Boost Sutton SET preparation routes designed specifically around the English, vocabulary, technical English and Maths skills required for the Sutton Stage 1 test.
The most suitable programme depends mainly on how much preparation time remains.
| Preparation time | Course | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 30–40+ weeks | Complete Sutton SET | Our most comprehensive Sutton preparation |
| 15–30 weeks | Enhance Sutton SET | A shorter structured Sutton programme |
| 6–15 weeks | Boost Sutton SET | Focused Sutton preparation when less time remains |
Complete Sutton SET — 30–40+ Weeks
Our Complete 11 Plus Programme – Sutton SET is our most comprehensive Sutton preparation route.
It contains 40 structured parts covering Vocabulary Development, English including comprehension and technical English, and Maths.
The programme includes more than 50 timed papers and tests, full answers with detailed explanations and additional focus on core skills such as vocabulary development and accuracy in Maths and English.
The Complete 11 Plus Programme – Sutton SET
Enhance Sutton SET — 15–30 Weeks
Our Enhance Sutton SET programme provides a shorter 20-part preparation route.
Children work on Vocabulary Development, English including comprehension, vocabulary and technical English, and Maths.
The programme 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.
Boost Sutton SET — 6–15 Weeks
Our Boost Sutton SET programme is the shortest full Sutton preparation route.
It contains 10 intensive parts covering Vocabulary Development, English including comprehension and technical English, and Maths.
The programme 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 Sutton-specific preparation.
Starting Earlier?
If your child is still developing the literacy, numeracy and vocabulary foundations needed before dedicated Sutton 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
Also Sitting Independent School Exams?
Children also sitting independent-school entrance tests may need additional preparation in subjects or formats beyond the Sutton Grammar School selection process.
The courses below are separate supplementary options and should not be interpreted as additional components of the Sutton Grammar School entrance test.
11 Plus Creative Writing Course
11 Plus Maths Stretch and Revision
Current Sutton Grammar School Admissions Information
Admissions arrangements and entrance-test details can change from year to year. For general guidance on 11 Plus preparation and our courses, use our FAQs below.
