Independent. Not affiliated with the school or test provider.
HBS Round 2 English lasts 60 minutes. The school does not publish the question types or a marking scheme, and it releases no past papers. Parents who have sat with the paper describe long written answers, so the most useful practice is turning a one-line answer into several sentences: a point, a short quotation, an explanation, then a second point.
The school does not publish Round One timings or question counts. Parents describe the time as very tight, and one parent advised practising at about 30 to 40 seconds a question, and about 25 seconds for non-verbal reasoning. Treat that as a practice target, not a school rule, and teach your daughter what to do when time runs short.
For girls in Year 5 now, Round One is expected in early September 2027, but the school has not published the dates for 2028 entry yet. A steady plan works through foundations, then every Round One question type, then pace and Round Two writing, with timed papers last. For 2027 entry, registration ran from 1 April to 1 July 2026, so watch the school site from spring.
HBS Round 2 for September 2027 entry is on 6 October 2026, for invited candidates. English lasts 60 minutes and maths 50 minutes. HBS does not release Round 2 past papers, resources or detailed marking schemes. A commercial “HBS paper” is independently written practice.
There is no published fixed HBS practice percentage that guarantees admission for 2027 entry. Round 1 ranking determines progression, and results from both rounds contribute to final ranking. Living within three miles is a priority category with academic conditions, not an exemption from testing. The old banding system is no longer used.