Devon-Style Maths and Reasoning Mock
The Devon-Style Maths and Reasoning Mock is a two-section timed 11+ practice test built around the no-calculator maths plus reasoning model used by several southern and south-western selective school assessments. Section 1 is 25 minutes of multiple-choice arithmetic, fractions, measures and shape questions with no calculator, and Section 2 is 20 minutes of mixed reasoning questions, number and letter sequences, codes and pattern-spotting, in the same multiple-choice format.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Sit the two sections in order and do not spend Section 2's reasoning time finishing off Section 1 sums; when the clock says move on, move on.
- In Section 1, work every calculation on paper next to the question even though no calculator is allowed - a clear written method is the fastest way to spot your own slip.
- Read all five options before picking one. Wrong options are usually built from a common error (forgetting to carry, multiplying instead of dividing), so a 'nearly right' answer is a trap, not a check.
- In Section 2, identify the reasoning type first (is it a number sequence, a letter code, a pattern?) before trying to solve it, since each type has its own short method.
- Timebox each question: roughly one minute in Section 1 and under a minute in Section 2. If a question is not falling into place, mark your best guess and return only if time allows.
- In the last two minutes of each section, scan for questions left blank and put down your best guess for every one - a blank answer scores the same as a wrong one, so guessing costs nothing unless the paper states otherwise.
- After the mock, mark it and sort every wrong answer into 'careless slip' or 'did not know the method', since these need different revision.
Worked example
A tank holds 3.6 litres of water. Water is poured out in equal amounts to fill 8 identical cups, with 0.4 litres left over in the tank. How many litres does each cup hold? (No calculator.)
- Find the total amount poured out of the tank: 3.6 - 0.4 = 3.2 litres.
- This 3.2 litres is shared equally between 8 cups, so divide: 3.2 / 8.
- Work the division without a calculator: 32 / 8 = 4, and since 3.2 has one decimal place, 3.2 / 8 = 0.4.
- Check by working backwards: 8 cups of 0.4 litres = 3.2 litres, plus the 0.4 litres left over, gives 3.6 litres, which matches the tank's total.
- Final answer: each cup holds 0.4 litres.
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q1Work out 407 - 268 without a calculator.Show answer
Answer: 139
Q2What is 3/8 of 64?Show answer
Answer: 24 (64 divided by 8 is 8, and 8 times 3 is 24)
Q3Find the next number in the sequence: 3, 7, 15, 31, ...Show answer
Answer: 63 (each term doubles the previous term and adds 1: 3x2+1=7, 7x2+1=15, 15x2+1=31, 31x2+1=63)
Q4In a code, HORSE is written JQTUG. Using the same rule, decode the word FCTM.Show answer
Answer: Each letter has moved two places forward, so decoding means moving two places back: F to D, C to A, T to R, M to K. The word is DARK.
Q5A rectangle has an area of 48 cm squared and a length of 8 cm. What is its width?Show answer
Answer: 6 cm (48 divided by 8 is 6)
Q6Work out 15% of 140 without a calculator.Show answer
Answer: 21 (10% of 140 is 14, 5% of 140 is 7, so 15% is 14 + 7 = 21)
Q7Which is larger: 5/6 or 7/9? Show your working.Show answer
Answer: 5/6 is larger. Converting to a common denominator of 18: 5/6 = 15/18 and 7/9 = 14/18, and 15/18 is greater than 14/18.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
A bus timetable shows a bus leaves the depot at 08:52 and arrives at the school 47 minutes later. A second bus leaves the depot at 09:15 and takes 39 minutes. Which bus arrives at school first, and by how many minutes? Show your working. (3 marks)
Show mark scheme
Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 3 available
Look at this number pattern: 100, 94, 88, 82, ... Explain the rule for the pattern, then give the first term in the pattern that is less than 50. (3 marks)
Show mark scheme
Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 3 available
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the devon-style maths and reasoning mock worksheet pack - 17 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
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