13 Plus Vocabulary List
Students taking the 13 Plus will be expected to use language effectively in all areas of the English exam, as well as in interviews. For a complete overview of the assessment, see our Guide to the 13 Plus Common Entrance Exams, which outlines formats, key subjects, and preparation strategies.
The exam will likely test candidates understanding of an unseen passage from a novel, play, poem or from another genre. At this level, students are assessed on their understanding of the text, as well as their analysis and evaluation of it. They may need to provide character analysis and give and justify their opinion; a broad vocabulary will help students’ to express their ideas clearly in their written responses. Our 13 Plus English Preparation Guide covers the comprehension, analysis, and essay-writing skills examiners look for.
Written by Keystone Tutors
Share this article
Students will need to produce a fiction or non-fiction composition piece demonstrating a broad vocabulary. For practical ways to refine writing skills, see our Creative Writing Tips for School Entrance Exams.
In interviews, schools will be looking for students to take part in conversations where they will need to be articulate in giving information and opinions. Our Top Tips for 13+ Common Entrance Interviews offers advice to help students communicate confidently.
A guide to using our 13 Plus word list:
- Identify and practice the meaning and spelling of unknown words.
- Practise little and often, with a focus on a few words each day.
- Learn the spelling. Various spelling strategies include:
- Look, cover and write the word.
- Orally spell the word.
- Spell the word as many times as possible within 30 seconds.
- Understand the meaning of the word. This can be done by:
- Identify what a particular word means on a consistent basis (using their own words to describe the meaning is best).
- Think of synonyms and antonyms for a particular word.
- Say the word in a sentence.
Further ways to develop students’ vocabulary for the 13+ exam:
- Identify and practice the meanings and spellings of all words on the word list.
- Read a wide variety of texts, such as plays, poetry and biographies, as well as novels.
- Play games where student encounter vocabulary, such as Boggle and Scrabble.
- Listen to audiobooks to further expose students to a wide vocabulary.
- Review synonyms and antonyms for words on the word list.
Our Recommended Reading List for 13 Plus English can help broaden vocabulary and literary exposure.
13 Plus Vocab List
abundance inconvenience produce reduce disgrace surface balance rejoice lettuce romance sentence silence audience commence convince menace terrace furnace crevice guidance enhance malice grimace practice defiance | acknowledge interchange advantage bandage barge judge sledge image damage average plunge village baggage luggage college rummage rampage syringe refuge beige siege surgeon deluge mirage gauge |
white while whose whisker whisper wrist kneel knuckle gnash gnome gnaw ghoul ghost rhyme rhythm rhubarb glisten receipt aghast khaki jodhpurs pneumonia pneumatic pseudonym psychic | special official glacial essential partial initial social artificial crucial financial palatial spatial residential potential torrential commercial presidential substantial beneficial confidential impartial celestial sequential influential superficial |
dislike unlikely unknown unopened unwrap unjust displease dishonest imperfect inexpensive inactive immobile disrepair impractical disobey inequality irrelevant disapprove invaluable insincere implausible inanimate impeccable incongruous dissuade | grief chief niece brief belief relief fierce pierce shield receive foreign neighbour diesel achieve shriek anxiety deceit deceive medieval hygiene skein abseil seize freight wield |
feisty forfeit co-own antiseptic forecast aeroplane foresee surpass aerobic surreal aerodrome aerial aerosol hyperactive malfunction autopilot aerodynamic intravenous malnutrition hyperbole aerate malevolent consequence effervescence | sentence defence experience sequence science preference silence audience licence influence balance entrance distance annoyance ambulance performance guidance coherence elegance appearance interference resemblance occurrence conscience omniscience |
agency vacancy urgency fluency currency emergency infancy efficiency frequency potency decency truancy hesitancy buoyancy transparency consistency discrepancy redundancy proficiency leniency tendency excellency vibrancy expansion | decision passion obsession revision supervision aggression confession percussion collision impression provision procession diversion precision admission emission concession intermission repercussion vision erosion illusion mansion extension
|
ought brought fought thought through though thorough rough tough cough enough dough although thoroughly trough throughout plough borough sought bough nought thoroughfare overwrought station location condition | operation election opposition solution introduction investigation definition intention education pollution population consideration communication distribution contribution generation ambition experimentation explanation revolution organisation exhibition ammunition consolation dehydration |
collar cellar member daughter transfer laughter altogether calendar familiar ordinary secretary dictionary library primary secondary scholar contrary temporary necessary calibre spectre macabre sombre lustre meagre | spirit opposite granite definite infinite benefit commit credit private desperate separate certificate chocolate favourite ultimate culprit fortunate graduate accurate adequate elaborate exquisite hypocrite abbreviate exacerbate |
colour favour rumour odour vapour humour flavour amour demeanour harbour honour anchor | razor ancestor equator mayor neighbour tremor donor meteor savour clamour valour innovator endeavour |
For more structured practice, our 11 Plus Vocabulary List includes similar techniques that also work well for 13 Plus preparation.
13 Plus Common Entrance Tuition
Each year Keystone supports many students preparing for the 13 Plus Common Entrance. The 13 Plus Common Entrance Tutors we represent are experienced in the intricacies of the 13 Plus exams and how they differ between schools' assessments. We would normally recommend that preparation begins around 12 – 18 months before the exams. Tutors will devise a programme tailored to the specific circumstances of the student.
For more details on how Keystone can help with 13 Plus preparation, please call the office for a chat with one of our client managers, or contact us via our request a tutor form.
Further reading
Written by Keystone Tutors
We help families find exceptional tutors for every stage of their child's education; from primary and school entrance exams tuition through to GCSEs, A Levels, the IB and university admissions. Our unique model is built around full-time employed tutors and a highly personalised matching process, offering a level of quality, continuity and individual care that is rare in tutoring.
Browse other articles
Building a home reading routine – recommendations for parents
Reading at home helps young people to broaden their vocabulary, build their comprehension and attain language fluency. But for all its educational benefits, building a lifelong relationship with reading means making it a pleasure, not a chore. You don’t need to spend hours sitting down together over a book to build your child’s reading habits. The most effective way to integrate reading into your child’s homelife is to work out the best times to fit reading into your family’s life, choosing engaging books, and build your child’s motivation to read independently. What works for a child looks different for a teenager, so here’s how to build a home reading routine at every stage in their development.
Written by Anna
Supporting homework without doing it for your child
Homework is essential in reinforcing student’s learning and teaching them study skills. It’s natural to want to help your child with their homework and to want them to do it well, even to do it perfectly. But the question of how to help can be tricky. Curriculums are updated all the time. You may not have studied the same topics or subjects. Luckily, you don’t need to be the expert – or even have the right answers. The most impactful way you can support your child is not to show them exactly how to do their homework, but rather to encourage them to learn how to tackle it themselves. This allows them to become confident in dealing with unfamiliar questions, resolving difficulties and finding solutions – skills essential for adult life. The best way to help your child to learn how to learn depends on their age as children need structure whilst teenagers require more independence. Here are five ways to make your support count at every stage.
Written by Anna
Primary Maths Development: Recommendations for Parents
Building a strong foundation in maths during the primary years can help children develop confidence, curiosity and a lasting enjoyment of the subject. In this guide, Samantha, a former Deputy Headteacher, shares practical advice and activities to help children develop their mathematical understanding, from Reception through to Year 6, and build the skills they need for future learning.
Written by Samantha
A Level Chemistry Super-Curricular Learning
Studying Chemistry opens the door to a fascinating world of discoveries, from developing new medicines and sustainable materials to analysing forensic evidence and understanding the chemistry behind climate change and pollution. Yet some of the most exciting learning happens beyond the classroom.
Written by Emmelianna
How to build a love of reading in primary-age children
A book is the most powerful tool that a parent can give a child - it is a weapon of imagination that can lead children on a path of discovery and success. A love of reading is vital in shaping how children and young people learn, feel, and engage with and understand the world around them. Digital tools and screens are a useful supplement for reading progress, but books remain the “gold standard” for primary-age children.
Written by Samantha
Primary Spelling and Phonics Development
A practical guide for parents of primary-aged children
Every child develops phonics and spelling abilities at a different pace. This guide will give you simple ideas to support your child with their learning.
Written by Francine
How to Help Your Child Improve Their Writing
A practical guide for parents of primary-aged children
Every child develops writing skills at a different pace. Some children have wonderful ideas but struggle to organise them; others write accurately but need encouragement to develop their vocabulary or imagination. Small, consistent habits can make a significant difference to a child's writing development. Whether your child is preparing for a 7+, 8+ or 11+ school entrance exam or simply wants to become a more confident writer, the following strategies can help you support them at home.
Written by Jessica
How to Help your Child with Mental Maths
A practical guide for parents of primary-aged children
If your child is heading towards 7+ or 8+ assessments, or you simply want them to feel confident with numbers, mental maths is the place to start. It's built through short, regular practice rather than long sessions, and much of it can happen through games, shopping trips and conversation. Below you'll find a simple ten-minute routine, guidance on what to focus on from Reception to Year 6, and practical mental maths games for primary children to try at home.
Written by Jenny
A Guide to the TARA (Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions)
What is the TARA?
TARA stands for Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions. It is a computer-based admissions test delievered by UAT-UK and is used by select UK universities (including UCL and Oxford) as part of their admissions process for certain courses (a full list is provided below).
UCL began using the TARA in 2025 for candidates applying for 2026-entry (primarily for Computer Science, Management Science and Social Sciences). Oxford University will be using the TARA this year for 2027-entry onwards. This means that Oxford will no longer use the TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment) as part of its admissions process.
This represents a significant change for Oxford (it has used the TSA since 2008 as a key part of its admissions process). However, the good news for students is that the TARA is very similar to the TSA, so students can continue to take advantage of the wealth of TSA past paper questions available online while the TARA continues to be developed.
Written by Callum
