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.
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
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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.