HBS Practice Test

In the heart of Barnet, London, the Henrietta Barnett School (HBS) is a top choice for students who love learning. It’s a selective grammar school that looks for students who are really good at academics. To get in, students must do well in the HBS Test. This test checks their thinking skills and how much they know about different subjects. Practice with the free HBS - Henrietta Barnett School practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (7 questions with answer explanations).

This guide will help you understand the HBS Test better. You’ll learn about its content and how to prepare and do well in it. It’s a tough test, but with the right approach, you can do great.

HBS Exam at a Glance

What changed for HBS in 2026

• Oct 29, 2026: Late registration deadline changed to No late entrance-test applications accepted (2027 entry closed) (previously No late applications accepted (2027 entry closed)).^[1]
• Oct 29, 2026: Delivery changed to In person at the school only; photo ID required (previously In person at the school only, photo ID required).^[2]
• Oct 29, 2026: Score release changed to Letter to parents in late October, before the CAF deadline (previously Late October letter; Round Two candidates' scores are not released).^[2]
• Oct 29, 2026: Score release (Round Two) changed to Round Two scores and rankings are not released (previously Late October letter; Round Two scores not released).^[1]
• Oct 29, 2026: Score release (Round One) changed to Overall score and top-300 cut-off told to unsuccessful candidates before the CAF deadline (previously Score and top-300 cut-off released before the CAF deadline).^[2]
• Oct 6, 2026: The 2027-entry Round Two English and Mathematics test took place on Tuesday 6 October 2026; the entrance-test application window for September 2027 entry is closed.^[1]

Free HBS - Henrietta Barnett School Study Tools

Interactive HBS - Henrietta Barnett School resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:

• HBS - Henrietta Barnett School flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
• HBS - Henrietta Barnett School study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
• HBS - Henrietta Barnett School cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review

According to The Henrietta Barnett School, “Admission to The Henrietta Barnett School for Year 7 is by academic selection, with a First Round Entrance Test in Verbal, Non-Verbal reasoning and English, followed by a Second Round English and Mathematics test.”^[1]

HBS content outline and where to practise each area

The content areas below are copied from the official HBS content outline published by The Henrietta Barnett School. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.

Worked examples: how to reason through HBS questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: What does 'democracy' literally mean?

1. rule by the wealthy
2. rule by the people
3. rule by the military
4. rule by the church

Answer: B. rule by the people

Explanation:

The correct answer is rule by the people. The word comes from the Greek demos, meaning people, and kratos, meaning rule, so the meaning is built into the word itself.

Rule by the wealthy describes an oligarchy or plutocracy, not democracy. Rule by the military describes a junta or military government. Rule by the church describes a theocracy. Each wrong option names a real form of government, which is why it can look plausible.

The rule to remember: when a word is unfamiliar, split it into parts and look for roots you know. Many English words for ideas and systems come from Greek and Latin roots, and the root often gives you the meaning.

Example 2

Question: Which word is closest in meaning to "exuberant" as used in a sentence?

1. Sad
2. Quiet
3. Angry
4. Joyful

Answer: D. Joyful

Explanation:

The correct answer is joyful. Exuberant describes someone full of energy, excitement and cheerful enthusiasm, and joyful is the closest match in both mood and liveliness.

Sad is the opposite feeling. Quiet is wrong because an exuberant person is usually lively and loud, not subdued. Angry is a strong emotion, but it is negative, while exuberant is positive.

The rule to remember: in a synonym question, first decide whether the word is positive or negative, then check how strong it is. That usually removes two options at once, and you can choose between the rest by thinking about how the word would sound in a sentence.

Example 3

Question: Anna, Ben, and Cara each have a different pet: a cat, a dog, or a rabbit. Anna does not have the cat. Ben does not have the dog. Cara has the rabbit. Who has the cat?

1. Anna
2. Ben
3. Cara
4. Cannot be determined

Answer: B. Ben

Explanation:

The correct answer is Ben. Start with the fixed fact: Cara has the rabbit. That leaves only the cat and the dog for Anna and Ben. Anna does not have the cat, so Anna has the dog, and the cat must belong to Ben. This also fits the clue that Ben does not have the dog.

Anna is wrong because the puzzle says she does not have the cat. Cara is wrong because she has the rabbit. Cannot be determined is wrong because the clues leave only one arrangement that works.

The rule to remember: begin with the clue that gives a definite fact, remove it from the options, and then use the negative clues on what remains.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the school's admissions page and the current admissions policy, so you know what each round covers and how the process works. Use that to decide where your practice time should go.

Begin with the general HBS entrance exam set to see where you are strong and where you slip. Then work area by area. For Round One, use Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and English Comprehension. Add Mathematics for Round Two, along with more English.

After each set, read the explanation for every question you got wrong, and for any you guessed. Write down the rule behind the answer in your own words, and revisit those notes before your next session. Short, regular sessions work better than long, irregular ones.

Our questions are written by us and are not real exam questions, so use them to build skills, not to predict what will appear. In the final days before the test, check your invitation letter, make sure you have the photo ID it asks for, and keep your practice light.

Key Takeaways

Free HBS Practice Test Online

• The HBS Test is a selective entrance exam for one of London’s top grammar schools, the Henrietta Barnett School.
• The test assesses candidates’ verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, mathematics, and English comprehension skills.
• Thorough preparation, including practice tests and targeted skill-building, is crucial for success on the HBS Test.
• Understanding the test format, question types, and time management strategies can give candidates a competitive edge.
• Mastering the mathematics and English comprehension sections requires dedicated practice and effective techniques.

What is the HBS Test?

Understanding the HBS (Henrietta Barnett School) Test

The HBS (Henrietta Barnett School) test is key for students wanting to get into the top Henrietta Barnett School. This school is a top grammar school in Barnet, London. The test checks how well students can think and do math, making sure they’re ready for the school’s tough classes.

The HBS test looks at students in many areas. It checks their verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, mathematics, and English comprehension. It aims to find students who can do well in the school’s hard classes.

Why is the HBS Test Important?

The HBS entrance exam is a big deal for getting into the Henrietta Barnett School. This school is a top choice for students in Barnet, London. Doing well on this test shows a student is ready for the school’s tough classes. It also helps them get into this famous selective school.

Knowing what the HBS test is all about helps students prepare. This way, they can do their best on the selective school entrance assessments. It boosts their chances of getting into the Henrietta Barnett Grammar School.

Mastering Verbal Reasoning

Preparing for the Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning Sections

The HBS (Henrietta Barnett School) Test has different types of questions. These include verbal and non-verbal reasoning. These parts check how well you can think critically, analyze, and solve problems. These skills are key for doing well in getting into selective schools. To do great in these parts, it’s important to have a good plan for 11+ preparation and competitive exam prep.

The verbal reasoning part tests your skills for grammar school entrance. This includes vocabulary, analogies, and understanding texts. To get ready, do the following:

• Read a lot and use flashcards or word games to grow your vocabulary.
• Work on recognizing logical connections and making inferences from what you read.
• Get to know the usual types of questions, like synonyms, antonyms, and filling in sentences.

Developing Non-Verbal Reasoning Skills

The non-verbal reasoning part checks your skills in solving visual and spatial problems. To do well, focus on these:

1. Practice mentally turning, changing, and looking at shapes, patterns, and sequences.
2. Improve your skill in finding connections and using logical thinking with what you see.
3. Get to know the kinds of non-verbal reasoning questions, like figure analogies, series, and matrices.

By getting good at these methods and strategies, you’ll be ready for the HBS admissions test and other selective school entrance assessments. This includes the Henrietta Barnett grammar school exam and Barnet grammar school entrance tests.

Mathematics Strategies

Mastering the Mathematics and English Comprehension Sections

Doing well in the Mathematics and English Comprehension sections of the HBS Test is key to your success. Mastering these areas shows you’re strong in important subjects. It also makes you a top candidate for Henrietta Barnett School.

In Mathematics, focus on core concepts and solving problems. Get familiar with different question types like arithmetic, geometry, algebra, and data analysis. Practice with sample questions to get faster and more accurate.

Learn strategies for word problems and complex math challenges. This will help you tackle tough questions with ease.

English Comprehension Tips

The English Comprehension part tests how well you understand and analyze written texts. Improve your reading skills by reading various materials, from classics to modern texts. Pay attention to the structure and main ideas of the passages.

Practice identifying the main points and logical conclusions. Also, work on your vocabulary and grammar to do better.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Sample HBS - Henrietta Barnett School Practice Questions

Try these questions from our free HBS - Henrietta Barnett School practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.

1. Which word is closest in meaning to "exuberant" as used in a sentence?

   • A. Sad
   • B. Quiet
   • C. Angry
   • D. Joyful

   Answer: D. Joyful

   'Exuberant' describes a state of being full of energy, excitement, and cheerful enthusiasm. Someone who is exuberant is typically very lively and expresses great happiness. Therefore, 'joyful' is the closest synonym, as it captures the essence of happiness and high spirits associated with exuberance.

2. Which of the following is the mean of the numbers 5, 7, 8, 10, and 15?

   • A. 9
   • B. 10
   • C. 8
   • D. 11

   Answer: A. 9

   The mean (or average) of a set of numbers is calculated by summing all the numbers and then dividing by the total count of numbers in the set. For the numbers 5, 7, 8, 10, and 15, the sum is 5 + 7 + 8 + 10 + 15 = 45. Since there are 5 numbers, the mean is 45 / 5 = 9.

3. Which punctuation mark introduces a list or an explanation?

   • A. semicolon
   • B. comma
   • C. colon
   • D. hyphen

   Answer: C. colon

   A colon (:) is used to introduce a list, explanation, or elaboration.

4. What is the capital city of Australia?

   • A. Sydney
   • B. Melbourne
   • C. Canberra
   • D. Brisbane

   Answer: C. Canberra

   Canberra is the capital city of Australia, chosen as a compromise between Sydney and Melbourne.

Take the full HBS - Henrietta Barnett School practice test

Sources & last verified

1. The Henrietta Barnett School — number of questions, other, score release, late registration deadline (official source). “Admission to The Henrietta Barnett School for Year 7 is by academic selection, with a First Round Entrance Test in Verbal, Non-Verbal reasoning and English,…” Verified Oct 31, 2026 · source checked Oct 29, 2026.
2. henrietta-barnett.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com — passing score, retake policy, delivery, score release (official source). “On the basis of this rank order, the highest ranked (top 300) candidates will be invited back to sit the Round Two test.” Verified Oct 29, 2026.
3. henrietta-barnett.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com — eligibility (official source). “There is no catchment area — any girl can apply and any girl can sit the first round test (the school operates a single sex…” Verified Oct 29, 2026.
4. barnet.gov.uk — registration deadline, late registration deadline (official source). “31 October 2026- deadline for on-time applications” Verified Oct 29, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.