What To Expect from the 7+ Interview and Assessment Day
Contents
What Is a 7+ Interview and Assessment Day? When Do They Take Place?
Professional 7+ Interview Preparation with U2 Tuition
7+ Interview and Assessment Day
The second stage of the 7+ admissions process can feel daunting for both parents and children. Unlike the first-round academic exams, the 7+ Interview and Group Task Stage is less predictable and focuses less on set answers and academic ability.
Instead, schools are looking at:
How your child communicates
How they interact with others
How they respond in a new environment
The specific process of preparation can vary slightly depending on your desired school, however with the right preparation, the interview and assessment day can become a positive and confidence-building experience.
U2 Tutor Tip: Calm preparation builds confidence. Children take emotional cues from parents, so staying relaxed helps them do the same!
What Is a 7+ Interview and Assessment Day? When Do They Take Place?
7+ interview and assessment days usually take place in early January, following success in the first-round academic assessments.
This stage allows children to demonstrate individual qualities that written exams cannot measure, including:
Personality
Confidence
Curiosity
Resilience and Willingness
Teachability
Typical Structure of a 7+ Assessment Day
While formats vary between schools, most include similar elements:
A friendly welcome and registration
A group task or classroom observation
A short one-to-one interview
Breaks or playtimes
U2 Tutor Tip: Children are often assessed the moment they arrive, alongside during break/play times. Polite greetings, good manners and calm behaviour are crucial for the whole day!
What Happens in the 7+ Group Task?
The group task focuses on social interaction rather than academic performance.
Common Group Task Activities
Schools may include:
Collaborative problem-solving tasks
Simple games or role-play
Group discussions or creative challenges
Out-loud reading to assess:
Fluency
Expression
Punctuation awareness
Comprehension
What Are Schools Looking For In The 11+ Group Task?
Teachers typically assess:
Willingness to participate
Listening skills
Respect for others
Turn-taking and cooperation
U2 Tutor Tip: Confidence does not mean dominating the group. Schools value children who can listen, share ideas appropriately and work well with others. Equally, students who are more ‘shy’ are not at a disadvantage, provided they are willing to participate and respond when prompted.
What Are Schools Looking For in the 7+ Interview?
The 7+ interview allows teachers to assess how a child thinks and communicates.
Schools are not expecting perfect or rehearsed answers. Instead, they are looking for:
Clear communication
Good listening skills
Curiosity and enthusiasm
Polite behaviour and manners
Ability to think and respond on the spot
U2 Tutor Tip: Practise speaking aloud at home, but avoid scripted answers - natural responses always make a better impression. Encourage your child to speak clearly, listen carefully and respond thoughtfully rather than rushing answers.
Common 7+ Interview Question Types
Personal Questions
What is your favourite book and why?
Can you tell me about a time you helped someone?
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
What is your favourite toy and why?
Questions About School
What do you enjoy most at school?
Can you tell me about something you learned recently?
Why would you like to come to our school?
What’s your favourite subject and why?
Thinking, Situational and Reasoning Questions
Would you rather be awarded one big trophy or three small trophies ? Why?
Would you rather be able to fly or be invisible?
What would you do if you saw someone at school being bullied?
If you could learn more about one thing, what would it be?
U2 Tutor Tip: Encourage your child to explain why they chose an answer - reasoning matters more than the answer itself.
How to Prepare Your Child for the 7+ Interview Stage
Preparing at Home
Effective preparation builds confidence rather than pressure.
Helpful at-home strategies include:
Checking school websites for specific second-round details
Encouraging regular conversation
Reading together and discussing stories
Asking open-ended questions
Practising listening, manners, and turn-taking
Professional 7+ Interview Preparation with U2 Tuition
How U2 Tuition Can Help
Targeted support can be particularly helpful in consolidating at-home learning for the 7+ interview and group task stage.
Our experienced tutors offer:
Mock 7+ interview practice
Confidence-building discussion sessions
Guidance on calm, clear answers
Group task simulations
Targeted preparation for specific schools from 7+ expert tutors
Detailed feedback and next steps
Flexible tuition in London with one-to-one online, in-person, or hybrid tuition.
U2 Tutor Tip: Early interview preparation helps children develop confidence gradually, rather than cramming close to the assessment date. U2 Tuition works with specialist 7+ tutors who successfully prepare children for leading UK prep and grammar schools, ensuring the best chance at success.
To find out how U2 Tuition can support your child, get in contact today!
