For families in and around London, the 7+ and 8+ are often the first formal hurdles in the independent school journey — and they arrive surprisingly early in a child's life. They can also be intensely competitive, which makes a calm, informed approach all the more important.
This guide explains what these exams are, what they assess, how competitive they really are, and how to prepare your child without turning the early school years into a pressure cooker.
What the 7+ and 8+ actually are
The 7+ and 8+ are entrance assessments used mainly by selective preparatory schools, concentrated in London and parts of the South East, for entry into Year 3 (at age 7) or Year 4 (at age 8).
A few essentials:
- The 7+ is sat in Year 2 for a Year 3 place. It's a popular entry point because many prep schools expand their intake at this stage.
- The 8+ is sat in Year 3 for a Year 4 place, often used to fill a smaller number of remaining or additional places.
- Both are most associated with academically selective London prep schools, though some schools elsewhere use similar early assessments.
Because these schools feed into competitive senior schools later, securing a place at a strong prep at 7+ or 8+ is, for some families, the first link in a longer chain.
Why entry is earlier and harder than many expect
Two features catch parents off guard. First, the age: assessing a child formally at six or seven feels early, and it is. Second, the competition: at the most sought-after London preps, applicants can far outnumber places, making these among the more pressured early-years assessments in the country.
The 8+ can be even tighter than the 7+ at some schools simply because fewer places are available — many spaces having been filled at 4+ or 7+ already. Where a school takes only a handful of children at 8+, the odds can be daunting.
This combination — young children and stiff competition — is exactly why a measured, child-centred approach matters so much.
What the exams test
While each school sets its own assessment, the 7+ and 8+ typically cover:
- English — reading comprehension, creative or descriptive writing, spelling, punctuation and grammar.
- Mathematics — number work, problem-solving and reasoning appropriate to the age.
- Reasoning — many schools include verbal and/or non-verbal reasoning, testing how a child thinks rather than what they've memorised.
The 8+ generally expects a little more: longer writing, more developed comprehension and harder maths than the 7+, reflecting the extra year of schooling.
Beyond the written papers
Assessment is rarely just a written test. Schools commonly add:
- An interview or informal chat to gauge curiosity, confidence and how a child engages.
- Group activities to see how children interact, share and problem-solve together.
- Observation of behaviour, listening and general school-readiness.
Schools at this age are looking for potential and the right temperament as much as polished exam technique. A child who is curious, articulate and settled often shines, even without heavy preparation.
How to prepare — sensibly
The biggest risk at this age isn't under-preparation; it's over-preparation that turns a young child off learning or leaves them anxious. The goal is a confident, capable child, not a drilled one.
Build the foundations
- Read together, every day. Wide, enjoyable reading is the single best preparation — it builds vocabulary, comprehension and a love of stories that shows in writing tasks.
- Make maths part of life. Counting, measuring, money, time and simple problem-solving in everyday situations build number confidence naturally.
- Encourage talking and storytelling. Articulate children interview well. Conversation, describing their day and telling stories all help.
- Develop independence. Sitting still, listening, following instructions and managing themselves are quietly assessed and genuinely useful.
Familiarisation, not cramming
Some light familiarisation with the format — knowing what a comprehension or reasoning question looks like, practising writing within a time limit — helps a child feel comfortable on the day. The line to watch is between reducing surprise and over-drilling. Short, calm, low-stakes practice beats long, tense sessions every time.
On tutoring
Tutoring at 7+ and 8+ is common in London, but it's worth being thoughtful. Heavy tutoring can secure a place that proves a poor fit, leaving a child to struggle once they're in a cohort selected partly on coached performance. If you do seek support, keep it proportionate and child-led, and remember that schools are increasingly alert to over-prepared children who can't sustain the level.
Choosing the right schools to apply to
Because these are early, competitive assessments, where you apply matters as much as how you prepare.
- Visit before you commit. A school's atmosphere, values and approach to young children should feel right for your child. Open mornings reveal far more than a prospectus.
- Be realistic about competition. Applying only to the very hardest schools is high-risk. A sensible spread — including schools where your child has a strong chance — protects against disappointment.
- Think about the long route. Many London preps prepare for 11+ or 13+ onward transfer; consider where the prep typically sends its leavers.
- Mind the logistics. Daily journeys with a young child shape family life for years. Proximity counts.
You can browse and compare prep schools by area to build a realistic shortlist — for example, private schools in a given London borough or schools in a particular town.
Managing the family experience
These assessments are emotionally loaded precisely because the children are so young. A few principles keep things healthy:
- Protect your child from the pressure you feel. Children pick up on parental anxiety quickly. Keep the language light: a "fun morning at a new school," not a make-or-break test.
- Keep childhood intact. Play, friendships, sport and rest matter more at this age than any exam. Don't sacrifice them.
- Have a plan B you're genuinely happy with. With places so scarce, a missed offer is common and says little about a child. A strong alternative — including excellent state options and other entry points later — takes the heat out of the process.
- Remember later entry points exist. A child who doesn't get a 7+ place can often apply again at 11+ or another stage. Early assessments are not the only door.
The bottom line
The 7+ and 8+ open the way to some excellent, highly selective prep schools, but they ask a lot of very young children and the competition is real. The families who navigate them best focus on broad, enjoyable foundations rather than relentless drilling, choose schools that genuinely suit their child, and keep the whole thing in proportion. A confident, curious six- or seven-year-old, applying to the right schools, is in a far stronger position than an over-coached one chasing the wrong ones.
Next steps: Explore prep schools in your area, or read our pre-prep and prep school guides to plan the early years.