What are the 4+ Assessments?

The 4+ exams are tests that children take to gain admission to selective schools at the reception level. These assessments can vary widely between different schools. For instance, academic girls’ schools often evaluate specific fine motor skills such as pencil grip and scissor use. Children are also generally expected to write their names from memory and recognise and write numbers up to twenty. Most schools seek to identify children who demonstrate a general readiness and eagerness to learn. Notable London schools that conduct 4+ assessments include Thomas Battersea, Kensington Preparatory School, Glendower Preparatory School, North London Collegiate, Falkner House Boys and Girls, Wimbledon High, St. Christopher’s School, Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School, and Haberdashers’ Girls’ School.

What are the 5+ Assessments?

The 5+ assessments are entrance tests children aged 4 must take to gain admission to selective schools for Year 1. Though common, these assessments can vary greatly between schools. We specialize in preparing children for these assessments at top London schools, to ensure they are confident and capable of performing well. Many schools will advise against tutoring at this age, but our experience suggests otherwise. It is an open secret that many of the children do receive tutoring to prepare them for the assessments. While you can certainly prepare your child at home, the support from experienced tutors is invaluable. Tutors can provide reassurance and ensure children attend the assessments confidently, fully showcasing their abilities.

5+ assessments are typically conducted in small groups of 4-12 children. This takes place from October to February, prior to the September entrance. The environment includes a variety of learning activities such as drawing, puzzles, books, and small-world play. There will be grown-ups in the room with the children, but make no mistake – they are trained observers!

What are Schools Looking for in These Assessments?

Both assessments are typically conducted in small groups of 4-12 children. This takes place from October to February, prior to the September entrance. The environment includes a variety of learning activities such as drawing, puzzles, books, and small-world play. There will be grown-ups in the room with the children, but make no mistake – they are trained observers!

Children are observed on their focus, cooperation with peers and adults, and ability to follow instructions (e.g., tidying up, sharing, listening, and taking turns). Teachers engage with the children through activities like drawing, puzzles, and sorting games, paying particular attention to communication skills, clarity, confidence, and engagement.

During story sessions, teachers look for comprehension, the ability to make connections to personal experiences, and the ability to retell events or identify favorite parts or characters. Schools also value curiosity, quick learning, and resilience, along with creativity, spontaneity, and the ability to ask and answer questions thoughtfully.  For example, a student could be asked to explain what happened in a story that had just been read to them. Or they could be asked to show them how to do something. Another example could be a question of the compare and contrast type e.g. “Can you tell me how a tree and a flower are alike?”

English

Reading

Daily reading at home is crucial. Read to your child and encourage active listening by discussing the pictures and story. Offer a variety of texts, including both fiction and non-fiction, to foster a love of reading. Be enthusiastic and point out new words, encouraging your child to repeat them. Traditional fairy tales, rhyming stories, and adventure tales are particularly beneficial as they support both reading and storytelling skills. Have your child hold the book, point to words as you read, and ask questions to develop comprehension and inferential skills. Remember – it’s not about how many books you get through with your child but how much of each book your child experienced.

Phonic Awareness

Once your child begins to recognise the alphabet, you can start developing their phonic awareness with CVC words (e.g.cat) and digraphs (e.g.sh, ch, th). There are several great books and online resources that can support your child in this area of learning. We would also be happy to recommend specific materials to help your child improve their reading skills.

Early Writing

Teaching letter formation early is essential and there are many creative methods to help facilitate this. Examples would be finger painting, playdough letters, air writing, etc. Mastery of letter formation at a young age prevents future learning difficulties. Involve your child in practical writing activities like shopping lists greeting cards and invitations. Simple sentences about their interests are also great. Get them started on learning the high-frequency words,  to improve spelling within sentences.

Maths

Number

Children should understand numbers up to 20, recognizing and writing them correctly. Use objects and games like snakes and ladders and cards to make counting fun and engaging. Incorporate numbers into everyday activities, such as identifying numbers on clocks or counting items while doing chores. 

Shape

Shapes are all around us. Every object has a shape. Explore shapes in the environment, discuss their properties, and draw them. Begin discussing 3D shapes and identifying patterns. Use everyday items to reinforce learning about shapes.

Measures

Introduce your child to time by giving them a watch, even if they can’t tell time yet. Discuss daily activities and their timing. Examples could be when they get up in the morning and the activities associated with that time of day. Sort items by size, weight, or colour, and use terms like “heavier,” “lighter,” “bigger,” and “smaller” to build their vocabulary.

Fine Motor Skills

Developing fine motor skills is crucial for tasks like handwriting, cutting with scissors, and drawing straight lines. Engage your child in activities that promote awareness, problem-solving, hand-eye coordination, and much more e.g. building blocks, puzzles, drawing/colouring, threading beads, and even tying shoe laces improves finger manipulation and coordination.

Personal, Social, and Emotional Development

Collaboration, patience, teamwork, and listening skills are vital and will be observed during the 5+ assessments. Encourage interactions with new people through activities like shopping or playgroups. Monitor and guide your child’s social interactions, praising good behavior and gently correcting as needed. Developing these social skills early is essential for success in the assessments.

Conclusion

Looking at all of the above, it is certainly possible to prepare for these assessments at home, but our support will ensure your child approaches the exam with confidence and preparedness. We strive to make the learning process enjoyable, calm, and positive, thereby fostering an environment where your child can thrive.