Merchant Taylors' School — 11+ English Specimen Paper 2026
Merchant Taylors' School published this 11+ English specimen paper in 2026 to show the assessment style; it is official school material, not a past paper. Hearthprep makes it interactive — 6 questions worth 80 marks in a 100-minute timed mode, each marked on submission and backed by a step-by-step worked solution. It covers Creative Writing and Reading Comprehension.
Real 11+ English paper from Merchant Taylors' School (2026). 6 questions, 80 marks. Answer interactively with worked solutions. Covers Creative Writing, Reading Comprehension.
Merchant Taylors' School published this specimen paper as preparation for its assessment. It is official school material, but not a paper candidates actually sat. Most 11+ entrance exams are sat between November and January of the year of entry, so a timed attempt at this paper is worth doing early enough to leave room for the topics it exposes. Work through it on screen with instant marking, or print the PDF and sit it under exam conditions.
- School
- Merchant Taylors' School
- Entry level
- 11+
- Subject
- English
- Year
- 2026
- Questions
- 6
- Marks
- 80
- Timed mode
- 100 minutes
- Updated
- 3 Sept 2026
Topics in this paper
- Creative Writing
- Reading Comprehension
Questions in this paper (3 of 6)
- Question 1written answer · 4 marks
Read the passage from the separate reading booklet and then complete the following tasks. 1. In your own words, describe the other passengers on the plane (lines 11 to 19):
- Question 2written answer · 8 marks
Read the passage from the separate reading booklet and then complete the following tasks. 2. In your own words, write about Fred's thoughts and feelings in this passage and how they change.
- Question 3written answer · 8 marks
Read this extract from 'The Explorer' by Katherine Rundell describing the moment the plane gets into trouble (lines 35-47): 'Fred stared at the man - he was turning the same shade of grey as his moustache. "Are you all right, sir?" he asked. "Is there something I can do?" Fighting for breath, the pilot shook his head. He reached over to the control panel and cut the engine. The roar ceased. The…
3 further questions in this paper open with any paid plan, along with marking and the worked solutions. See plans.
Frequently asked questions
What is in the Merchant Taylors' School — 11+ English Specimen Paper 2026?
6 questions with 80 marks in total; Hearthprep's timed mode allows 100 minutes. It covers Creative Writing, Reading Comprehension. Merchant Taylors' School published this specimen paper as preparation for its assessment. It is official school material, but not a paper candidates actually sat.
How long is the Merchant Taylors' School 11+ English paper?
This paper's cover carries no time, so Hearthprep's timed mode allows 100 minutes for 80 marks and shows the clock on screen as your child answers. It is our estimate, not Merchant Taylors' School's.
Can my child answer this paper online?
Yes. Every question on this page can be answered in the browser and is marked the moment the paper is submitted — multiple choice, short answers and written responses alike. Answers are matched leniently, so a correct value written a different way (units, fractions, word numbers) still scores.
Are worked solutions included?
Every question has a step-by-step worked solution and an AI tutor that will talk through it after the paper is submitted. The first 3 questions of this paper are free to try; the remaining 3 and the marking come with a paid plan.
Is this a real past paper?
Merchant Taylors' School published this specimen paper as preparation for its assessment. It is official school material, but not a paper candidates actually sat. Use it to time a full mock attempt, then drill whichever topics your child drops marks on.
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