7 Plus Spellings: Tips & Practice for Exam Success
Help your child master their 7 Plus spellings with strategies, word lists, and expert tips for confident writing.
What Is 7 Plus Spelling?
The 7 Plus spellings plays an important role in your child’s English exam, showing their ability to spell words accurately and apply spelling rules. This exam requires knowledge from the Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3 spelling lists in the UK National Curriculum, which can feel like a big jump, especially since the test is taken in January of Year 2.
As a parent, it’s important to understand that even though your child may be in Year 2, they are expected to know the full Year 2 and Year 3 spelling words by the time the exam comes around in January. This ensures they can demonstrate a higher academic standard of spelling and writing, in line with the 7 Plus exam expectations. The test won’t just cover simpler words—they’ll need to confidently spell more challenging words as well.
Additionally, while spelling difficult words phonetically is generally acceptable for younger children, spelling words correctly according to their patterns and rules is vital for success in the 7 Plus exam. Let’s dive into what to expect in the test and how you can help your child prepare!
The Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3 Spelling Lists
Year 1 Spelling List
In Year 1, children are introduced to simpler spelling rules, focusing on:
- High-frequency words (such as “the”, “and”, “it”)
- Basic phonic patterns (like “ch”, “sh”, “th”, “oo”)
- Commonly used words that children can use in simple sentences
These early lists set the foundation for your child’s learning, ensuring they can spell basic words with confidence.
Year 2 Spelling List
By Year 2, children are expected to master more complex words, such as:
- Common suffixes and prefixes (like “ing”, “ed”, “un”)
- More challenging words (like “because”, “friend”, “asked”)
- Words with phonic patterns (like “ai” in “train”, “ou” in “shout”)
The 7 Plus spelling test will often use words from this list, and it’s important that your child knows them thoroughly. Practicing these words will help them feel confident during the exam.
Year 3 Spelling List
In Year 3, children face even more complex spelling challenges, such as:
- Doubling consonants (e.g., “hop” becomes “hopping”)
- Silent letters (e.g., “knife”, “thumb”)
- Words with “ei” and “ie” (e.g., “believe”, “chief”)
These advanced words are essential for your child’s preparation for the 7 Plus exam and will be included in the test. Mastery of the Year 3 list will help them demonstrate a high standard of spelling and writing that’s expected in selective school assessments.
How Do Schools Test 7 Plus Spelling?
Many selective London schools incorporate spelling as part of their 7 Plus exams. However, not all schools use the same testing methods. Here’s what you can expect from the spelling tests in some of the top schools:
✔ St Paul’s Junior – Dictation and writing exercises to assess spelling accuracy and ability to apply rules.
✔ Westminster Under School – Focuses on dictation, spelling words in the context of a sentence.
✔ Alleyn’s Junior School – Tests spelling in the context of creative writing and short sentences.
✔ Highgate School – Focuses on spelling accuracy within written responses but does not use dictation.
✔ James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS) – Assesses spelling through written tasks, with an emphasis on applying rules.
✔ Dulwich College – Tests spelling in written tasks, but does not rely on dictation.
Why Even Year 3 Words Matter for Year 2 Children in 7 Plus Spelling
Though the 7 Plus exam is taken in January of Year 2, the spelling expectations are far higher, requiring your child to know both Year 2 and Year 3 spelling words. This is because the 7 Plus exam is intended to assess a higher academic standard.
Children should be comfortable with the Year 3 spelling list so they are able to handle more challenging words and rules, which are essential for passing selective schools’ exams. By focusing on Year 2 and Year 3 words, your child will be better prepared for the rigour of the 7 Plus exam.
Top Strategies to Help Your Child Improve Their 7 Plus Spelling
1. Regular Practice with Spelling Lists
Create a daily or weekly practice routine using the Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3 spelling lists. Make sure your child is not only memorizing the words, but also understanding why certain letters go together. Regular practice, whether through games, apps, or word lists, will help build confidence and quick recall.
2. Focus on Spelling Rules
Don’t just memorize words—understand the spelling rules behind them. For example, children should be familiar with silent letters, common prefixes and suffixes, and other key patterns. By understanding these rules, your child will be able to spell more words correctly during the exam.
Tip: Help your child group words with similar patterns together and practice spelling them within those groups.
3. Phonetic Spelling for Unfamiliar Words
For words that are not on the Year 1-3 lists, phonetic spelling is often acceptable. If your child is spelling an unfamiliar word phonetically, this is fine at this stage. What’s important is that they are using their phonics knowledge and spelling correctly according to the sounds they hear. This demonstrates good spelling instincts.
4. Practice Dictation and Writing
Dictation exercises are a fantastic way to prepare for the 7 Plus spelling test. Even though not all schools use dictation, it’s still a helpful tool to get your child used to spelling under time pressure. Dictation helps with spelling accuracy, writing under exam conditions, and applying spelling rules in context.
Tip: Try practicing dictation at home using a mixture of Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3 words from the curriculum lists.
How Mentor Education Can Help With 7 Plus Spelling Preparation
At Mentor Education, we offer personalized tutoring that focuses on building strong spelling skills for the 7 Plus exam. Our expert tutors work with your child to:
- Build a strong foundation in Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3 spelling
- Develop effective strategies for remembering tricky words
- Practice spelling through dictation and writing exercises
- Prepare for real 7 Plus exam conditions with timed spelling drills
We also offer holiday courses and online tutoring to ensure your child is exam-ready for the 7 Plus spelling test.
Find out more about our 7 Plus Tutoring Options or book a 7 Plus Spelling Course today. (Internal links to tutoring & courses pages.)
Final Thoughts on 7 Plus Spelling
Mastering 7 Plus spelling is about understanding and applying spelling rules, practicing regularly, and confidently tackling words from the Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3 spelling lists.
For expert support and tutoring, book a 7 Plus spelling session with Mentor Education today, and help your child reach their full potential.
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