Volume of step prisms exercises, 11+ Maths preparation
21 October 2026
Understanding step prisms
Step prisms are 3D shapes made by joining rectangular blocks together, often forming a 'staircase' or stepped appearance. These shapes appear in 11+ maths to test spatial reasoning and volume calculation.
How to find the volume
To calculate the volume of a step prism, break it down into separate rectangular blocks. Find the volume of each block using the formula length × width × height, then add the volumes together for the total.
Worked example
Suppose a step prism has two blocks:
Block 1: length 5 cm, width 4 cm, height 3 cm
Block 2: length 5 cm, width 4 cm, height 2 cm (on top of Block 1)
Block 1 volume = 5 × 4 × 3 = 60 cm³ Block 2 volume = 5 × 4 × 2 = 40 cm³
Total volume = 60 + 40 = 100 cm³
Tips for parents
Encourage your child to sketch the shape and label each block. Remind them to check for any overlapping or missing sections before adding volumes. Practising with different step prisms builds confidence for the 11+ exam.
Key insight: Breaking a step prism into simple blocks makes volume questions much easier for 11+ students.
