Practical guidance from the Leading Tuition team
Book a Free ConsultationOne of the biggest mistakes families make when preparing for the 11 plus is buying the wrong revision materials. A child who spends months practising GL Assessment-style verbal reasoning papers — only to sit a CEM exam on the day — is at a serious disadvantage, not because they haven't worked hard, but because the two tests are structured so differently that preparation for one does not reliably transfer to the other. With selective school entry for September 2026 approaching, understanding exactly which exam your target school uses is the essential first step before buying a single practice book.
The 11 plus is not a single, standardised national test. It is an umbrella term for a range of selective admissions assessments used by grammar schools and some independent schools across England. These assessments fall into three broad categories: those set by GL Assessment (formerly Granada Learning), those set by CEM (the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring, part of Durham University), and those set locally by individual schools or school consortia.
Each category differs significantly in format, question style, timing, and the skills it rewards. A child who is well-prepared for one type may be poorly prepared for another, even if they are academically capable. Understanding the differences is not a minor detail — it shapes every aspect of a sensible preparation strategy.
GL Assessment is the most widely used 11 plus provider in England. Their tests are typically divided into separate papers, each covering a distinct subject area: verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, mathematics, and English. In most GL regions, children sit two or more of these papers, often on the same day.
The format is predominantly multiple choice, with answers recorded on a separate answer sheet. Questions follow recognisable, repeating patterns — for example, find the word that completes the analogy, identify the next shape in the sequence, or solve the missing number problem. Because GL question types are relatively consistent year on year, they are more amenable to structured practice. Families can buy official GL Assessment practice papers and work through them systematically, building familiarity with the question formats.
GL verbal reasoning papers typically include 21 distinct question types, and children who learn to recognise and answer each type efficiently tend to perform well. The maths content broadly aligns with the Key Stage 2 curriculum, though some questions extend slightly beyond it. Non-verbal reasoning tests spatial and logical thinking through diagrams and shapes, with no reading required.
Timing is tight across all GL papers, and accuracy under time pressure is important. However, because the question types are predictable, children can develop reliable strategies for each one through repeated practice.
CEM exams, introduced partly in response to concerns that GL tests had become too coachable, take a deliberately different approach. Rather than separate subject papers, CEM assessments use integrated papers that mix comprehension, vocabulary, numerical reasoning, and spatial reasoning within a single timed section. Children move between question types without warning, which requires strong mental flexibility.
CEM tests are designed to be harder to tutor for. Question types vary between years, and the vocabulary sections in particular can include words that are genuinely unfamiliar to most Year 5 children. Speed and accuracy are both rewarded — the tests are timed strictly, and many children do not finish every section. This is intentional: CEM uses the pattern of responses across the paper to assess ability, not just the number of correct answers.
There are no officially published CEM past papers, which is a significant difference from GL. Publishers such as Bond and CGP produce CEM-style practice materials, but these are approximations rather than authentic tests. Preparation for CEM therefore relies more on building underlying skills — wide reading, strong vocabulary, mental arithmetic fluency — than on drilling specific question formats.
CEM is currently used in regions including Birmingham, Gloucestershire, Berkshire, and parts of Lincolnshire. If your target school is in one of these areas, CEM-style Bond books are more appropriate than GL official papers.
A significant number of grammar and selective schools set their own admissions tests, independently of both GL and CEM. These locally-designed exams vary considerably in structure, content, and difficulty.
Some of the best-known examples include:
For locally-set exams, the most important preparation resource is the school's own sample papers and guidance documents, usually published on the school's admissions page. Generic 11 plus practice books may help with underlying skills but should not be the primary preparation tool.
The table below covers the major 11 plus regions in England for 2026 entry. Always verify directly with your target school, as providers occasionally change.
| Region | Provider | Subjects Tested | Scoring Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent | GL Assessment | English, Maths, Reasoning | Standardised score |
| Buckinghamshire | GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning | Standardised score |
| Lincolnshire | CEM | Verbal, Numerical, Spatial Reasoning | Age-standardised score |
| Essex (CSSE schools) | Local (CSSE) | English, Maths | Raw mark, school-ranked |
| Birmingham | CEM | Verbal, Numerical, Non-Verbal Reasoning | Age-standardised score |
| Surrey (Sutton Consortium) | Local (Consortium) | English, Maths, Reasoning | Standardised score |
| Wirral | GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning | Standardised score |
| Gloucestershire | CEM | Verbal, Numerical, Spatial Reasoning | Age-standardised score |
| Berkshire | CEM | Verbal, Numerical, Spatial Reasoning | Age-standardised score |
| Devon | Local (school-set) | Varies by school | Varies by school |
Once you have confirmed which exam type your target school uses, preparation materials become much easier to choose.
For GL Assessment: Official GL Assessment practice papers are the gold standard. These are available directly from the GL Assessment website and through major booksellers. Supplement these with subject-specific workbooks covering the four main areas — verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths, and English. The Letts and CGP 11 plus ranges are well-regarded for GL preparation. Avoid CEM-style integrated papers, as the format is too different to be useful.
For CEM: There are no official past papers. Bond CEM-style 11 plus books are the most widely used preparation resource, alongside CGP's CEM-specific range. Because vocabulary is heavily tested, wide reading throughout Year 4 and Year 5 is genuinely valuable preparation — not just a vague recommendation. GL official papers are not appropriate for CEM preparation and should be avoided.
For locally-set exams: Download the sample papers and any mark schemes published by the school or consortium. These are the most accurate guide to what the actual test will look like. Supplement with subject-specific practice in the areas the school tests, but always return to the school's own materials as your benchmark.
A common and costly mistake is buying a mixed bundle of 11 plus books without checking which exam type applies. GL and CEM materials are not interchangeable, and using the wrong ones can create false confidence or unnecessary confusion.
For families who want structured, expert support tailored to the correct exam format, 11+ tuition with Leading Tuition is designed around the specific test your child will actually sit. Where maths is a focus area, specialist Maths tutoring can help build the fluency and problem-solving skills that both GL and CEM numerical papers demand.
How do I find out which test my target school uses?
The most reliable source is the school's own admissions page, which should specify the test provider and format for the current admissions cycle. If it is not clearly stated, contact the school's admissions office directly and ask which provider sets the test and whether sample papers are available. Local authority websites for areas like Kent, Buckinghamshire, and Birmingham also publish this information as part of their grammar school admissions guidance.
Is GL Assessment or CEM harder?
This depends on the individual child. GL tests are more predictable in format, which means a well-prepared child who has drilled the question types can perform consistently. CEM tests are deliberately varied and fast-paced, which tends to favour children with strong underlying verbal ability and broad vocabulary rather than those who have simply practised a lot. Children who are strong readers and quick thinkers often find CEM suits them well, while children who respond well to structured practice may find GL more manageable.
Are past papers available for the 11 plus?
For GL Assessment, official practice papers are commercially available and closely reflect the real test format. For CEM, no official past papers are published — this is a deliberate policy to reduce the advantage of intensive coaching. Publishers produce CEM-style approximations, but these are not authentic past papers. For locally-set exams such as CSSE or the Sutton Consortium, schools typically publish sample papers on their websites, which are the closest equivalent to past papers available.
If my child prepares for GL, will that help with CEM — or vice versa?
There is some overlap in the underlying skills tested — both assess verbal and numerical reasoning — but the formats are different enough that preparation for one does not reliably substitute for preparation for the other. A child who has only practised GL-style multiple choice papers may struggle with CEM's integrated, fast-paced format. Similarly, CEM preparation alone may leave gaps in the specific question-type knowledge that GL rewards. If a child is applying to schools using different providers, preparation should be tailored to each exam type separately.
If you found this guide useful, you may also want to explore 11+ tuition with Leading Tuition for structured, exam-specific support, or find out more about our specialist Maths tutoring for children building the numerical skills that both GL and CEM assessments demand.
Book a free consultation and we’ll help you find the right support for your child.
Book a Free Consultation