7 Plus Dictation: How to Prepare for Success
Prepare for success in the 7 Plus Dictation Test with tips, expert advice and strategies to succeed.

A Guide to the 7 Plus Dictation Test
Dictation is a key component of the 7 Plus English assessment, testing children’s spelling, punctuation, and listening skills. Many selective independent schools, including St Paul’s Juniors, use dictation as part of their 7 Plus entrance exam.
This guide will explain:
✔ What 7 Plus dictation involves
✔ Why dictation is tested in 7+ entrance exams
✔ How to prepare effectively, including insights into the St Paul’s Juniors dictation test
By the end, you’ll have a clear strategy to help your child excel in 7 Plus dictation and improve their overall exam performance.
What Is Dictation in the 7 Plus Exam?
Dictation is a listening and writing exercise where children hear a sentence read aloud and must write it down accurately, applying correct:
- Spelling
- Punctuation (capital letters, full stops, apostrophes)
- Grammar and sentence structure
- Handwriting
It’s used in the 7 Plus exam by schools that place a strong emphasis on English proficiency. Dictation challenges children to process spoken language quickly while demonstrating a solid grasp of literacy skills.
Why Do Schools Include Dictation?
Dictation isn’t just about spelling—it tests how well children can listen, remember, and transcribe accurately. Unlike a standard spelling test, dictation requires them to:
✔ Identify key words and phrases
✔ Apply punctuation rules instinctively
✔ Write quickly and neatly under time pressure
Many schools, including St Paul’s Juniors, use dictation to assess candidates for their 7+ entry.
7 Plus Dictation at St Paul’s Juniors
If your child is applying to St Paul’s Juniors, dictation is a crucial part of their 7+ English assessment. In fact, St Paul’s has replaced creative writing in its 7+ and 8+ exams with dictation.
Key Features of the St Paul’s Dictation Test
- Sentences are read multiple times, allowing children to process and write accurately.
- The test assesses spelling, punctuation, grammar, and handwriting.
- Attention to detail is critical—missed punctuation or incorrect spelling can affect the overall score.
If St Paul’s Juniors is on your target list, strong dictation skills are essential for your child’s success in the 7 Plus exam. You can find more details on their 7+ admissions process on the official St Paul’s Juniors website.
Common Challenges in 7 Plus Dictation
Many children find dictation difficult because it requires both listening and writing skills. The most common struggles include:
- Mishearing words (e.g., “their” vs. “there”)
- Forgetting punctuation (missing full stops or capital letters)
- Spelling mistakes, especially irregular words
- Writing too slowly, leading to missed words
However, with the right preparation, your child can master 7 Plus dictation and gain confidence in the exam.
How to Improve 7 Plus Dictation Skills
1. Daily Dictation Practice
Short, regular practice sessions (1-2 sentences a day) help build consistency and accuracy.
2. Focus on 7 Plus Spelling Words
Dictation exercises in the 7 Plus exam often include high-frequency words from the KS1 spelling lists, such as:
- because
- beautiful
- friend
- school
- every
For a full list of commonly tested words, check the KS1 National Curriculum Spelling List on Gov.uk.
3. Use St Paul’s-Style Dictation Exercises
To mirror the St Paul’s dictation test, try this home practice:
- Read a sentence aloud slowly three times.
- Ask your child to write it down while listening carefully.
- Check for errors, focusing on punctuation, spelling, and sentence structure.
4. Encourage Active Listening
Help your child improve their listening skills by:
✔ Repeating key phrases in their head before writing
✔ Visualising the sentence structure before putting pen to paper
✔ Writing at a steady pace, avoiding rushed mistakes
5. Make Dictation Fun with Games
Keeping dictation engaging helps children stay motivated. Try:
- Speed Dictation – challenge them to write a sentence faster each time while maintaining accuracy.
- Fill-in-the-Gap – read a sentence with a missing word, and ask them to guess and spell it correctly.
- Silly Sentences – use funny or imaginative sentences to make practice enjoyable.
6. Use Audio Recordings for Extra Support
If your child struggles with real-time dictation, record sentences so they can replay them at their own pace before progressing to live dictation exercises.
Which London Schools Use Dictation in the 7 Plus Exam?
Many top independent schools in London use dictation in their 7 Plus entrance exams, including:
✔ St Paul’s Juniors (dictation replaces creative writing)
✔ Westminster Under School
✔ City of London School for Boys
✔ Latymer Prep School
✔ North London Collegiate School (NLCS)
✔ King’s College Junior School (Wimbledon)
Each school structures its dictation assessment differently, but the core skills—spelling, punctuation, and listening—are universally tested.
Final Steps: How to Prepare for 7 Plus Dictation
Dictation is a crucial element of the 7 Plus English exam, especially for schools like St Paul’s Juniors. To give your child the best chance of success, start preparing early using expert 7 Plus Tutoring – personalised coaching to improve dictation, spelling, and writing skills. For a full guide to the 7 Plus exam, including maths, English, reasoning, and interview preparation, visit our comprehensive 7 Plus preparation page [insert internal link].
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