Basket

  • No products in the cart.

7 Plus Highgate Guide

The 7 Plus Highgate assessment is one of the most competitive sets of exams and requires significant preparation

A Guide to the 7 Plus Highgate Entrance Exam

The 7 Plus Highgate entrance exam a highly competitive process that assesses a child’s academic ability, creativity, and potential to thrive in an engaging and rigorous learning environment. Due to the limited number of places available, early preparation is essential for success. Highgate School is one of London’s most prestigious co-educational independent schools, known for its high academic standards, innovative teaching methods, and strong pastoral support. Situated in North London, Highgate offers a well-rounded education, combining traditional academic excellence with a forward-thinking approach.

7 Plus Highgate Exam Format

Highgate School’s 7 Plus entry process is designed to identify bright and inquisitive children who will benefit from and contribute to the school’s dynamic environment. The school offers a limited number of places, making the process highly selective. As a result, strong academic foundations and thorough preparation are crucial. The entrance exam at Highgate evaluates a range of academic and cognitive skills. The format typically includes:

  • English – Focuses on reading comprehension, grammar, spelling, and creative writing. Pupils are expected to demonstrate strong literacy skills and the ability to express their thoughts clearly.
  • Mathematics – Includes number fluency, problem-solving, arithmetic, and logical reasoning, requiring applicants to apply their knowledge to unfamiliar problems.
  • Reasoning – Both verbal and non-verbal reasoning tasks assess a child’s ability to identify patterns, relationships, and logical connections.
  • Interview & Group Activities – Provides an opportunity for children to showcase their communication skills, confidence, and ability to work collaboratively with peers.

Academic Expectations – Mastering Core Concepts

The Highgate 7 Plus exam takes place in January of Year 2, but children are expected to be working at an advanced level, often beyond the national curriculum for their age. To be competitive, children should demonstrate:

  • Strong reading comprehension and the ability to infer meaning from complex texts.
  • Confident creative writing skills, including well-structured sentences and imaginative storytelling.
  • Fluency in key mathematical concepts such as number bonds, times tables, fractions, and problem-solving strategies.
  • Logical reasoning skills for both verbal and non-verbal exercises.

smart child sitting his 7 Plus Highgate exam

The Challenge for State School Applicants

Due to the high academic expectations, children applying from state schools may find the 7 Plus process particularly challenging. Many independent schools, including Highgate, expect applicants to work at a higher level than the national curriculum. We recommend structured preparation from an early age, ideally through a pre-prep school or additional tuition.

How to Prepare for the 7 Plus Highgate Exam

Effective preparation is key to success in the Highgate 7 Plus exam. A well-structured learning plan should include:

  • Regular reading to enhance comprehension and vocabulary.
  • Writing exercises to develop creative and structured responses.
  • Practising mental arithmetic and problem-solving to build strong numerical skills.
  • Completing reasoning exercises to strengthen logical thinking and pattern recognition.
  • Developing confidence for the interview through discussions and group activities.

When to Begin Preparation – A Strategic Approach

The most successful candidates begin their preparation fir the 7+ Highgate exam well in advance. Many families start structured learning from pre-reception, progressing through reception and Year 1 with targeted academic support. By Year 1, children should be engaging with Year 2 and early Year 3 material to ensure they are fully prepared for the 7 Plus exam.

How Mentor Education Can Support Your Child

At Mentor Education, we offer expert support tailored to the Highgate 7 Plus admissions process. Our services include personalised one-to-one tuition, mock exams, interview coaching, and holiday courses designed to build confidence and develop essential skills. Our structured approach ensures children are fully prepared to excel in the competitive assessment process.

Next Steps for the 7 Plus Highgate Assessment – Contact Us

Have questions? Unsure where to start for your 7 Plus Highgate journey?

Use the form below. We’ll get straight back to you to offer the guidance you need

DD slash MM slash YYYY

London’s No.1 Tuition Agency

Media coverage

Mentor Education won Tutoring Provider of the Year at the Education Investor Awards in 2022 and 2024. We also won at the National Tutoring Awards and an Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2024. We are regularly featured in the Education Press, including School Report Magazine, the Good Schools Guide, and more.

Our Clients Journeys

Case studies

We want you to feel in a safe pair of hands and our tutors are KS1 qualified and have passed our 7 Plus training course. Our tutors are carefully recruited based on their 7 plus experience, warmth and talent for getting the best out of younger students.

They will share your ambition and have a teaching tool kit to motivate and encourage young learners, building essential skills, including stretch numeracy and literacy. Here are some recent case studies about families on our 7 Plus programme.

Customers love what we do

What our parents have to say about Mentor

We are so proud of our 5 star reviews and 7 Plus testimonials which are a testament to the relationships our teachers build with their young pupils and the success they create together.