11+ Maths
Finding volume of cubes and cuboids, and relating volume to capacity in 11+ Maths.
Volume appears in 41 of our 338 ready papers (80 tagged questions). It averages 2 questions a paper worth about 1.69 marks each. The typical question allows around 1.2 min.
Volume questions usually mean cubes and cuboids: length × width × height, sometimes with a missing dimension when volume is given. Papers also mix volume with capacity (ml/l) or with counting unit cubes in a diagram. Children who confuse volume with area or perimeter lose marks after solid arithmetic. Teach units carefully (cm³ vs ml) and label every dimension on the diagram before multiplying. Independent papers like compound cuboids — split them into rectangular blocks you can trust. Always check whether the question asks for volume, capacity, or a missing length. If a diagram shows stacked cuboids, calculate each block separately and add — do not invent a single length that is not labelled. Capacity word problems that mention litres still need the same length×width×height thinking once everything is in matching units. Before multiplying, jot L, W and H beside the diagram and refuse to calculate until all three are known or clearly derivable from the given volume.
A real tagged question from our catalogue — method included, not paywalled.
Ranked from our tagged catalogue — open a paper to practise the questions that actually test this topic.
Not sure whether volume is the problem? Mark any past paper on 11plusSolved and the report tells you which topics are costing marks — and how many.
