SET Maths Strategies

This final lesson brings together everything you have learned and gives you practical strategies for the SET 11+ maths papers. The Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET) has two stages: Stage 1 is a multiple-choice paper (around 50 questions in 45 minutes), and Stage 2 is a written paper (45 minutes, not multiple choice — you must write your answers and show your working). This lesson will help you approach both stages with confidence.

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Understanding the SET Format

Feature	Stage 1	Stage 2
Format	Multiple choice (MCQ)	Written (show working)
Time	~45 minutes	~45 minutes
Questions	~50 questions	Fewer questions, more marks each
Marking	Correct answer only	Method AND answer marks
Penalty for wrong answers	No penalty	No penalty for trying

Key Point: Stage 1 and Stage 2 test different skills. Stage 1 rewards speed and accuracy. Stage 2 rewards reasoning and clear communication.

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Stage 1 Strategies: Multiple Choice

1. Pace Yourself

With around 50 questions in 45 minutes, you have less than one minute per question. Work quickly but carefully.

Time management plan:

• Spend 30-40 seconds on straightforward questions
• Spend up to 90 seconds on harder questions
• Leave 3-5 minutes at the end to check your answers

2. Eliminate Wrong Answers

If you are unsure, cross out options you know are wrong. Even eliminating one or two options improves your chance of guessing correctly.

Example: The question asks for the area of a triangle with base 10 cm and height 8 cm. The options are:

A) 18 cm² -- B) 40 cm² -- C) 80 cm² -- D) 160 cm²

You know the area is 1/2 × base × height. Even if you are unsure of the exact answer, you know it must be less than 10 × 8 = 80, so C and D are wrong. The answer is B) 40 cm².

3. Use Estimation

Estimate before you calculate. If you estimate 298 × 6 as roughly 300 × 6 = 1,800, and the options are 1,788, 17,880, 178, and 2,988 — the answer is clearly 1,788.

4. Watch for Traps

Common MCQ traps:

• Giving the perimeter instead of the area (or vice versa)
• Giving the number you calculated, not the number the question asked for
• Mixing up units (pence vs pounds, cm vs m)
• Forgetting to round up for real-life division (e.g. how many buses are needed)

5. Never Leave a Question Blank

There is no penalty for a wrong answer on Stage 1. If you are running out of time, make your best guess for every remaining question.

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Stage 2 Strategies: Written Paper

1. Show Every Step

This is the single most important strategy for Stage 2. Write down:

• The formula or method you are using
• Each calculation on a separate line
• The correct units in your answer
• A check if you have time

2. Read the Question Twice

Before you start calculating, read the question twice. On the second read, underline the key numbers and the specific question being asked.

3. Start with What You Know

If a question looks difficult, start with the parts you can do. Write down any calculations you are sure of. You will earn method marks for correct steps, even if you cannot complete the whole question.

4. Use the RICE Method

For every word problem, follow the RICE method from Lesson 1:

Step	Action
R — Read	Read the question carefully, twice
I — Identify	Underline key numbers and what is being asked
C — Calculate	Show each step of your working
E — Evaluate	Check: does your answer make sense?

5. Check with Inverse Operations

After solving, use the opposite operation to check:

• If you added, check by subtracting
• If you multiplied, check by dividing
• If you solved an equation, substitute your answer back in

Example: You solved 5x + 3 = 28 and got x = 5. Check: 5 × 5 + 3 = 28. Correct!

6. Manage Your Time