Habs Girls School 11+ Entry Guide: Exam, Admissions & Tips
Is Habs Girls’ School a Good School?
Habs Girls is a leading independent girls’ school in Elstree, Hertfordshire.
Its full name is the Haberdashers’ Girls’ School, named after the Haberdashers’ Company, one of the 12 liveries, which founded it.
Habs empowers girls to ‘make a profound impact in the world’.
Habs produces ambitious, curious students who are equipped to make their mark in whatever they choose to do.
There is a focus on intellectual, emotional, social, and technological development alongside exam results, which enables girls to secure their desired futures and maximise every opportunity.
The school cultivates an environment of safety and care. Wellbeing is of utmost importance.
They’ve got a Director of Innovation and an Innovation Centre to ensure their curriculum best equips girls to flourish in an ever-changing modern world, providing them with vital skills and values, including ambition, curiosity, courage, and community.
Habs Girls’ consistently ranks among the UK’s top schools for academic results:
Habs Boys is perhaps more well-known, but Habs Girls ranks highly with exceptional GCSE and A-Level results and top university destinations.
In 2024, 71% of GCSE grades were 9-8, with 45% of overall grades being 9s.
78% of A-Level results were A*-A, with 36% overall being A*.
It has strong university destinations, including Oxbridge and the Ivy League, and students have succeeded in securing coveted Degree Apprenticeship Places, including Jaguar Landrover.
It has excellent facilities and thriving extra-curricular opportunities:
There are over 160 clubs and societies a week.
There is a 550-seat performance hall, a drama studio, track and field facilities, a climbing wall, a 25m swimming pool, and much more.
Does it have any relation to Habs Boys School?
In short, yes!
They are two separate schools, located on the same 100-acre Elstree Campus. This arrangement offers the benefits of both a single-sex school and a co-educational environment.
Whilst lessons are taught separately up to GCSEs, the schools share extracurriculars and events, especially music and drama performances.
In the Sixth Form, at least one of the students’ A-Level subjects, and the Habs Diploma (if taken), is co-taught in a class with Habs Boys.
Famous Alumnae include the scientist Florence Bell, who contributed to the discovery of the structure of DNA, and actresses Laura Aikman and Talulah Riley.
How Hard is it to get into Habs Girls?
Thanks to its reputation, it is very popular amongst North London and Hertfordshire families, meaning there is high demand for places.
Girls travel from across Hertfordshire and North London, with around 70% of students using the extensive school coach network. This means the community is diverse.
There are only around 80-85 places a year for year 7 entry, so it’s very competitive. Entry is selective, and there is a challenging 11+ exam.
Often, candidates begin preparation 1-2 years in advance for the best chances of success.
Given the competition, why not use our expert Habs 11+ tutors to help get your daughter ahead? We offer school choice, entrance exam, and interview mentoring at 11+. Book a complimentary 20-minute consultation to learn more!
Habs Girls’ Fees and Scholarships
Annual fees are upwards of £30,000 a year, including VAT. For 2025-2026, the precise figure for Years 7-11 is £30,117.
Read up-to-date information on fees here.
Habs offers a range of 11+ scholarships:
These include academic, art, creative writing, drama, music, and sports scholarships.
Academic scholarships worth 10-20% of fees are awarded for exceptional performance in entrance exams and interviews. Students are automatically considered for these.
The other scholarships have their own application processes. The application deadline tends to be the same as the registration deadline.
Scholarships vary from 10% to 20% of fees. In exceptional circumstances, this may reach 30%.
Learn more about scholarships here.
Bursaries
Around 10% of Habs students receive financial support.
Bursaries are means-tested and vary in size. They can be held alongside scholarships.
An application for a bursary for admissions registration occurs after the closing date.
Learn more about bursaries here.
Admissions Process & Dates for Habs Year 7 Entry
Registration typically closes in November the year before entry.
Assessments are in mid-November and interviews are in mid-January, with offers made in February.
For the dates of this year’s cycle, see here.
Open Events run in September and October. These are the best ways to get a feel for a school and to discover whether your daughter would like it.
Learn about Habs’ Open Days here.
Habs Girls 11+ Exam & Interview Format
Quest Assessments provides the new 11+ online entrance exam.
The assessment consists of:
Maths (20 minutes)
Non-verbal Reasoning (10 minutes)
Verbal Reasoning (10 minutes)
Puzzles and Problem-Solving (15 minutes)
English (50 minutes )
Creative writing (30 minutes) - This is handwritten, rather than online.
Interviews:
Based on exam results, around half of the applicants are invited back for an interview.
Parents are also asked to meet with the Headmistress and Senior staff. This checks whether your ethos and values align with the school’s.
Skills and Prepation Tips for the Habs Girls 11+
Skills Needed
The Habs 11+ paper content is based on the National Curriculum.
The assessment tests the following skill areas: English comprehension, Maths problem-solving, verbal & non-verbal reasoning.
These areas include a range of skills, not limited to problem-solving, arithmetic, application of grammar and maths principles, spatial awareness, and comprehension.
In general, at 11+ Habs, girls look for applicants who are:
Well-rounded students who are genuinely interested in learning.
Intellectually curious
Open to being challenged and courageous to take risks
Excited about learning and extra-curricular opportunities.
Want to engage and share with others.
Always ambitious.
Show the potential to excel in the Habs environment.
Students must demonstrate these values throughout the application process, especially at the interview.
Preparation Tips
Start preparation well in advance. Little and often is better than cramming at the last minute. It’s essential to establish which areas need the most improvement.
A great way to improve vocabulary and comprehension skills is through reading:
Quest Assessment offers a Year 5 reading list.
We also have a blog on Reading Comprehension Top Tips and Resources for Success.
Familiarisation with unfamiliar question types and content is key to success.
Questions are either multiple choice, where your daughter will choose between options (some may require several answers), or free response, where answers are typed.
Non-verbal reasoning will likely be new to your daughter, as it isn’t typically taught at school.
Check out our blog on Mastering the 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Make use of familiarisation resources and Quest Assessments material.
Quest Assessments offers an online Familiarisation Test that allows you to answer examples of each question type, though there are no scores or feedback.
They also offer some brief guidance for parents on the assessments and some online resources.
This document demonstrates what a Quest Assessment looks like.
Are there Habs Girls’ Past Papers?
Unfortunately, aside from the brief familiarisation test sample, Habs girls do not publish past papers.
Alternatively, students can use practice resources for 11+ entry to other top independent schools.
Remember that these will differ in content and format, especially as they may be written, not online. However, they can still be helpful to hone 11+ skills and get used to timed practice.
Be careful of resources online that claim to be Habs’ past papers. These are often tests created by companies that don’t resemble Habs tests, but place their logo on the front page.
Preparation should focus on skills, knowledge building, and timed practice.
At 11+, timing is a common issue.
Students should get used to practising under timed exam conditions using mock tests. Such practice is the best way to instil these practices and develop good exam technique.
Over time, their ability to answer questions quickly should improve.
In general, we remind students to always read questions carefully and check their work.
On exam day, students will perform at their best if relaxed and focused. To do this:
Keep their routine as similar to normal as possible.
Ensure they have a good night’s sleep and a healthy, filling breakfast.
Prepare them for what to expect so they feel more at ease.
For further tips, check out our blog on 5 Essential Tips for 11+ Exam Revision.
Learn more about how we support students with the 11+ process here.
Habs Girls 11+ Tutoring with U2 Tuition
At U2 Tuition, our tailored Habs 11+ preparation will give your daughter the best possible chance of admissions success. We combine expert subject knowledge, proven exam strategies, and confidence-building techniques to equip your daughter with the skills she needs to excel on the day.
Our 11+ tuition offerings include:
School Selection Advice
Schooling is incredibly important; it’s where your child will spend the most formative years of their life. Given this, it’s crucial you make a well-informed decision.
With years of experience, we have the knowledge to help you do this. We can help you determine whether Habs or other top independent schools are right for your daughter.
Specialist Habs Girls Tutors
Our Habs 11+ tutors have either attended Habs Girls or have extensive experience preparing girls for this particular exam.
We know the format and the skills needed to succeed.
Comprehensive 11+ Exam and Interview Support
Our 11+ preparation consolidates content and develops the reasoning skills needed for success.
We ensure your daughter has a solid Year 5 Maths and English curriculum foundation.
With our tutors, students also practise timed exam questions, master exam technique, and work quickly without sacrificing accuracy.
Our tutors can also ensure your daughter is well-prepared for her interview, building confidence in answering unfamiliar questions and enhancing eloquence and public speaking.
Bespoke Practice Resources
Our tutors possess tailored resources that mirror the Quest Assessments format that Habs Girls uses.
Feedback for students is detailed, and they curate targeted strategies for improvement.
Consider purchasing our 10 and 11+ Interview Questions Pack to help prepare your daughter for her interview.
Flexible Learning Options
At U2 Tuition, we appreciate families that have busy schedules. That’s why we offer online, in-person, and hybrid tutoring.
All lessons are tailored to your child’s strengths and areas for improvement.
At U2 Tuition, our 11+ sessions are both effective and engaging. Let us use our expertise to support your daughter in her Habs 11+ journey, whether she’s at the start or looking for a final confidence boost right before the exam. Book a complimentary consultation to learn more about how we can support your daughter: