Preparing for the Wandsworth Year 6 Test

Is your child getting ready for the Wandsworth Test?

If you’re a parent of a Year 5 or Year 6 child applying to selective schools in Wandsworth, you’re probably feeling a mix of pride, pressure, and a bit of panic.

The Wandsworth Year 6 Test can seem confusing and high-stakes. Many families aren’t sure what’s actually tested, how to prepare, or when to start.

As a team of private tutors who works closely with local families, we’ve seen this many times.

The good news? With clear information, practical preparation, and steady support, the process becomes far less stressful - for you and your child.

In this blog, I'll break down how the Wandsworth Test works, what it really measures, and simple, effective ways to prepare at home.

My aim is to help your child feel calm, confident, and ready, and to help you feel informed at every step.

What Is the Wandsworth Test?

The Wandsworth Test is used by several secondary schools in the borough to assess children’s reasoning skills. It’s not a curriculum-based test.

Instead, it focuses on:

• Verbal reasoning

• Non-verbal reasoning

• Spatial awareness and logic

Its purpose is to measure a child’s natural reasoning ability, not how much they’ve memorised.

Who Takes the Wandsworth Test?

Children in Year 6 who are applying to schools such as:

• Graveney School

• Ashcroft Technology Academy

• Burntwood School

• Ernest Bevin Academy

Each school uses the results differently, so it’s helpful to check individual admissions criteria.

What Makes the Wandsworth Test Different?

Unlike many selective exams, the Wandsworth Test:

• Doesn’t cover maths or English content directly

• Focuses heavily on pattern recognition and logic

• Has strict timing, which many children find challenging

This means preparation should focus on familiarity, not academic cramming.

How to Prepare Effectively

Here are simple, parent-friendly ways to support your child:

1. Build Confidence First

A confident child performs better under pressure. Encouraging a calm mindset is just as important as practising questions.

2. Practise Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning

Use age-appropriate practice materials to introduce:

• Code-breaking tasks

• Word relationships

• Pattern sequences

• Shape matching

Little and often works best.

3. Develop Speed and Accuracy

Timed practice helps children get used to working efficiently. Gradually reduce time limits as your child’s confidence grows.

4. Strengthen Problem-Solving Skills

Games, puzzles, and activities like Sudoku or tangrams prepare children for reasoning-style questions in a fun, low-pressure way.

5. Use Guided Support If Needed

Tutoring can help children who:

• Are new to reasoning-style questions

• Struggle with test anxiety

• Need confidence-building support

• Benefit from structured practice

A specialist tutor familiar with the Wandsworth Year 6 Test can introduce strategies tailored to the exam.

What to Expect on Test Day

Children will sit the test on a computer. Each section is timed, and instructions are given clearly before the test begins. The environment is designed to be calm - reassuring for children who feel nervous.

Support to help your child prepare for the Wandsworth Test

Preparing for the Wandsworth Test doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With gentle practice, supportive guidance, and the right approach, your child can go into the exam feeling capable and confident.

If you’d like personalised Wandsworth Test preparation support, we’re here to help.