Expert 7+ preparation for leading UK prep schools
Tutors for 7 Plus Exams
Securing a place at one of the UK’s leading prep schools is highly competitive. Keystone provides exceptional 7 plus tuition and expert educational guidance, tailored to your child’s individual needs.
At Keystone Tutors, we recommend that 7 plus tutoring is thoughtfully targeted and delivered by a tutor with knowledge of the primary curriculum, experience of working with students of this age group, and detailed knowledge of the differences between each school's assessment format.
Here is a sample of the 7 plus tutors we represent
Our tutors are dedicated to their profession and consistently receive excellent feedback from their students. Every tutor goes through a rigorous selection process, and we choose people who are intelligent, personable and committed to the role.
Each student is matched with a tutor not only for subject expertise, but also for personality fit, helping build rapport as well as results.
Why parents come to Keystone for
7 plus tutoring
At 7 plus we provide comprehensive tuition covering the core curriculum content for Maths, English, Verbal and Non Verbal Reasoning, along with test practice, and honing of exam technique through the use of past papers and interview preparation.
All tutoring is tailored to the individual needs of each child based on their strengths, weaknesses, learning style, and the schools they are applying to.
Exceptional Tutors
A carefully selected team of experienced teachers, prep-school specialists and employed tutors who have a thorough knowledge of the primary curriculum.
School specific expertise
Our tutors combine a deep understanding of the primary curriculum with extensive experience of 7+ assessments at leading independent schools. We look beyond the syllabus to understand what each school is looking for, then create a tailored programme designed around your child's individual strengths, areas for development and target schools.
Experience with London's leading prep schools
Keystone has extensive experience preparing children for 7 plus entry at some of London's most competitive independent schools, including Alleyn's Junior School, Bute House, City of London School for Girls, Highgate, Latymer Prep, North London Collegiate, Putney High, South Hampstead High and University College School.
A highly personalised approach
Our Client Managers provide a high level of personal support throughout the tutoring. Parents receive regular feedback on progress, areas for further development and the focus of upcoming lessons, giving you a clear understanding of how preparation is progressing.
Developing exam skills
Exam skills are especially important at this age level, as more often than not this is the first time a child will have sat a proper examination. It is therefore not only very important that your child is familiar with the content required for each exam, but also that they develop exam skills.
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7 plus tutor
Want to know more about our tutors? Contact us today to discuss your requirements.
Feedback on our
7 plus tutors
Preparation tailored to your
child's target schools
There is no single 7 plus exam. Each school has its own approach, assessment format and expectations.
Our tutors are familiar with the differences between leading schools and tailor preparation accordingly. Tuition may include:
7 Plus Maths
7 Plus English
7 Plus Verbal & Non Verbal Reasoning
7 Plus Mock Interview & Assessment Day Preparation
Exam Technique & Working Under Time Pressure
School Specific Past Papers
Finding the right tutor
for each child
Step 1: Detailed Consultation
Before we can help a student, we often need to spend a significant amount of time learning about the student's requirements. Most consultations are carried out over the phone or on a video call.
Step 2: Academic Assessment (optional)
Students sit our custom-made academic assessments to indicate their level in relation to their peers, and in order to identify suggested areas to work on. Parents also seek academic assessments for their children to determine their general strengths and weaknesses, and decide upon a set of objectives for the course of tuition.
Step 3: Tutor Selection Process
The selection of the tutor is an integral part of our process. Priding ourselves on how well we know the varying strengths of each tutor, we ensure that each decision is informed by the expectation of a successful match between the tutor and student.
Step 4: Regular Progress Monitoring
After the first lesson, one of our dedicated client managers will contact you to find out how the lesson went. Our client managers are always available at the end of the phone and they are frequently praised for their efficiency, dedication and responsiveness.
Step 5: Monthly Reporting & Feedback
Tutors submit a monthly report detailing the work done in the month; the successes and areas to work on; and the work for the coming month. Our regular, rigorous reporting is frequently praised by parents.
Interested in finding a tutor for your 7 plus exams?
Book a 7 plus consultation. Our complimentary school entrance consultation is conducted by one of Keystone's Client Managers. During the call, they will take the time to understand your child's needs and academic goals, as well as address any questions you have about the school entrance process. They will then outline how Keystone can support your child.
FAQs
After the first lesson, one of our dedicated client managers will contact you to find out how the lesson went. Our client managers are always available at the end of the phone and they are frequently praised for their efficiency, dedication and responsiveness.
We have a monthly reporting system which is used to update parents on an ongoing basis.
The monthly report details:
- The focus of that month’s tutoring
- The form of assessment used
- The student's achievements and areas for further work
- The focus for the coming month
The regular, rigorous reporting of the tutors we represent is frequently commended by parents.
The 7+ tutors we represent are able to deliver in-person tuition within central London. For those outside of central London we offer online tutoring.
The tutors we represent are well-versed in delivering online tuition, using videoconferencing and an interactive whiteboard. This gives students, wherever they are in the world, access to experienced, high-quality tutors who are familiar with the requirements of the 7 plus exams.
The 7 plus is a competitive exam for many of the schools who offer it and thoughtful preparation ahead of the exam is often advisable. At Keystone Tutors we believe any 7 plus tutoring needs to be carefully targeted and delivered by a tutor with knowledge of the primary curriculum, experience of working with this age group and familiarity with the different requirements of each school.
Tuition for the 7 plus exams would normally start in the January of Year 1, 12 months before the examinations, though some families may wish to start earlier. Our tutors will start by reinforcing the primary literacy and numeracy curriculum being taught at school before looking to stretch students academically. They will then look to develop students’ abilities to sit examinations and the skills associated with being successful test takers during their lessons (e.g., time keeping, exam vocabulary and structuring their answers).
Exam skills are especially important at this age level, as more often than not this is the first time a child will have sat a proper examination. It is therefore not only very important that your child is familiar with the content required for each exam, but also that they develop the following exam skills:
- Ability to work under time conditions
- Ability to write in full sentences and in full paragraphs
- Ability to write neatly
- Ability to show mathematical working
Our 7 plus tutors will work with your child to develop these skills and to help your child perform at their best, building academic resilience and life-long intellectual curiosity.
The 7+ exam is designed for children who are in Year 2, typically around the age of six or seven. These exams are usually held in the January of their Year 2 school year and are used to assess the readiness and suitability of students for admission in Year 3 to their chosen school.
The 7+ entry assessments will vary from school to school so it is important to find out how your chosen school will conduct their assessments. Most schools, however, will evaluate children based on their fundamental skills in reading, writing, and maths, typically through English and Maths papers. While some schools may incorporate assessments in verbal and non-verbal reasoning, these are less common.
Read more in our 7+ exam guide.
We have experience in assisting students with preparation for competitive London prep schools and regularly support students with 7+ entrance exam to the following schools:
- Alleyn’s Junior School
- Bute House
- City of London School for Girls
- HABS Boys
- HABS Girls
- Highgate
- Ibstock Place School
- James Allen's Girls' School
- Lady Eleanor Holles School
- Latymer Prep
- North London Collegiate
- Putney High
- South Hampstead High
- University College School
Yes, we offer a trial lesson. With Keystone, you are not required to sign up for any minimum number of lessons, and we offer one-off paid trial lessons so that your child can determine if the fit is right for them. This allows students and parents tutoring through Keystone before committing to regular sessions. The trial lesson is charged at the tutor’s full hourly rate and there is no obligation to continue if you feel it's not the right match.
Articles on 7 plus
exams tuition
7 Plus Past Papers
Past papers are a great resource for anyone preparing to take an exam, no matter how young. Past papers can be especially helpful in exposing your child to:
- The types of questions they might meet
- The curriculum they will need to be on top of in advance of the test
- The timings and exam skills required of them, which is particular important as this is often the first exam they will have sat
Written by Keystone Tutors
7 Plus Vocabulary List
Six to seven year olds expand their vocabulary at a rapid rate, learning 5-10 words a day. While these are mostly learnt indirectly through everyday experiences, such as through discussion and reading, direct teaching can consolidate and improve a child’s vocabulary knowledge in readiness for the 7+ exam.
Written by Keystone Tutors
7 Plus Reading List
Reading List for children in Year 1 and Year 2 (Age 6 and 7)
Parents often ask us for reading recommendations and so we have compiled the following list below as a good starting point! These are all either personal favourites or recommended on well renowned book lists.
Written by Keystone Tutors
A Guide to the 7 Plus
In this guide, Keystone's experienced 7 plus tutor Kathleen, breaks down everything you need to know about the 7 plus exam, from exam structure to key preparation tips based on your child's age, so your child can approach the exam with confidence.
What is the 7 Plus Exam?
The 7 plus exam is designed for children who are in Year 2, typically around the age of six or seven. These exams are usually held in the January of their Year 2 school year and are used to assess the readiness and suitability of students for admission in Year 3 to their chosen school.
The 7 plus entry assessments will vary from school to school so it is important to find out how your chosen school will conduct their assessments. Most schools, however, will evaluate children based on their fundamental skills in reading, writing, and maths, typically through English and Maths papers. While some schools may incorporate assessments in verbal and non-verbal reasoning, these are less common.
Written by Keystone Tutors
7 Plus or 8 Plus Exam?
Historically boys would sit for the 8+ and girls for the 7+. This was based around the fact that it was traditionally accepted that boys mature a little later than girls at this age. Assessing them later meant that they had more time to develop and show their true potential. However, nowadays many schools offer both 7+ and 8+ entry and as such parents have the option to consider which might be most suitable.
Written by Keystone Tutors
Keystone supports students at every stage of their education, from early years to university entry. Areas of specialism include:
