Free 11+ guide
Free Sutton SET sample papers: English, maths and answer sheets
Use the official SET English sample, maths sample and answer-sheet extract linked here. They are sample materials, not complete released past papers. The English sample explains answer-selection rules; the maths sample includes worked explanations. Try an original question below before choosing more practice.
Source: Official SET English sample and marking commentary (accessed 2026-09-24) · Official SET maths sample with explanations (accessed 2026-09-24) · Official SET answer-sheet sample (accessed 2026-09-24)
Start with the official samples
Source: Official SET English sample and marking commentary (accessed 2026-09-24) · Official SET maths sample with explanations (accessed 2026-09-24) · Official SET answer-sheet sample (accessed 2026-09-24)
The source links above go directly to the school’s documents. Open the English sample with its commentary, then the maths sample and answer sheet. Read the instructions alongside the answers. A six-question illustration is not evidence of how often a topic appears in the live paper.
The number of answers matters
Source: Official SET English sample and marking commentary (accessed 2026-09-24)
The English sample uses single-answer, exactly-two and select-all tasks. For exactly two, both correct choices and no extras are required. Select-all can earn partial credit, but selecting all five earns zero; the remaining partial-credit formula is not published.
Worked example Select exactly two
Original teaching example. Choose exactly two statements supported by this original sentence: “Before the library opened, Amira returned the atlas through the book slot and hurried to the bus stop.” A The library was not yet open. B Amira bought the atlas. C Amira returned a book. D Amira missed her bus. E The library was closed all day.
Why this works: A and C. “Before the library opened” supports A, and returning the atlas supports C. No extra choices are needed.
Why the tempting route fails: D sounds plausible because she hurried, but the sentence never says she missed the bus. E changes “not yet open” into “closed all day”.
Explain the method before adding speed
Worked example A fraction of a remainder
Original teaching example. A tank is three quarters full. After 18 litres are used, it is two fifths full. What is its capacity?
Why this works: The change is 3/4 − 2/5 = 7/20 of the tank. If 7/20 is 18 litres, the capacity is 18 × 20 ÷ 7 = 360/7 litres. An exact fractional answer is valid for this original teaching problem.
Why the tempting route fails: 18 litres is the amount used, not the amount remaining. Do not divide it by 2/5.
Parent review: ask your child to draw one bar for the full tank and label both fractions. If the model is unclear, practise that decision before trying another timed set.
Before buying a Sutton paper bundle
- Check whether it is for SET or a school’s second stage.
- Ask whether all questions are original and whether explanations are included.
- Check whether the answer rules match the current official sample.
- Use one sample to judge the feedback before buying a larger bundle.
- Do not read “Sutton-style” as official endorsement or a promise of the live paper.
Sources and independence
Sources
Official SET English sample and marking commentary. Official guidance. Accessed 2026-09-24. Read the official sourcehttps://www.suttongrammar.sutton.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SET-ENGLISHsample2027E.pdf
Official SET maths sample with explanations. Official guidance. Accessed 2026-09-24. Read the official sourcehttps://www.suttongrammar.sutton.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SET-MATHSsample2027E-1.pdf
Official SET answer-sheet sample. Official guidance. Accessed 2026-09-24. Read the official sourcehttps://www.suttongrammar.sutton.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ANSWER-SHEETsample.pdf
Accessed 2026-09-24. Independent preparation, not affiliated with or endorsed by the school or test provider. Activities and routines are our suggestions, not official questions, marking schemes or promises of admission. Check the entry year before using a policy.