Understanding the 11+ exam systems
There is no single national 11+. Different areas use different exam providers, with different formats and registration processes. Here is what you actually need to know.
There is no national 11+ exam
The “11+” is a general name for the entrance exams that grammar schools use to select pupils. Each local authority or consortium of schools sets its own test, sat in September of Year 6. The format, the subjects, the registration deadline and the pass mark all vary by area.
The big change: CEM has gone
Until 2023, two providers dominated: GL Assessment and CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring). CEM withdrew from paper-based 11+ tests in 2023, and the areas that used it have mostly switched to GL Assessment or to their own tests. So the old “GL vs CEM” comparison you may read online is now largely historical - for current entry, GL-style preparation is the safe default in most areas.
The main exam systems today
GL Assessment
- Where it’s used
- The dominant provider. Used by most selective areas including Kent, Medway, Lincolnshire, Bexley, Gloucestershire, Trafford, Slough, Reading and many others.
- Format
- Separate papers by subject (English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning), usually multiple-choice. 21 published verbal reasoning question types.
- Preparation
- GL publishes official familiarisation materials, and the format is well documented, so preparation focuses on known question types.
CSSE
- Where it’s used
- The Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex - used by Essex and Southend grammars.
- Format
- English and Maths papers set by the consortium, with a different style to GL. Has its own registration, separate from the standard LA process.
- Preparation
- CSSE publishes past papers. The English paper places weight on comprehension and writing.
Own / consortium tests
- Where it’s used
- Super-selective areas such as Sutton, Kingston (Tiffin), Barnet (Henrietta Barnett, Queen Elizabeth's), Reading and Birmingham run their own tests, often in two stages.
- Format
- Varies by school. Often a first-stage multiple-choice test to qualify, followed by a second-stage written test for the top scorers. Places ranked by score.
- Preparation
- Each school publishes its own familiarisation guidance. Because places are ranked by score, the bar is very high.
What the exams test
Most 11+ tests draw on four areas, in some combination:
- English / Comprehension - reading a passage and answering questions; sometimes a writing task.
- Maths - arithmetic and problem solving, pitched above the standard Year 5/6 level.
- Verbal Reasoning - word-based logic and language puzzles.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning - shape, pattern and spatial puzzles.
Standardised scores, not raw marks
Results are standardised so that a typical performance equals a score of around 100. The standardisation adjusts for the child’s age in months (younger children get a small allowance) and for the difficulty of that year’s paper. This is why a “pass mark” is quoted as a standardised score (often somewhere between 111 and 121), not as a number of questions right.
In areas where places are ranked by score (super-selective schools), there isn’t really a pass mark at all - the highest scorers are offered places first, and the effective cut-off depends on how strong that year’s applicants were.
Where to find practice materials
We don’t sell tutoring or take commission from any provider. These are simply the well-known options, listed neutrally:
GL Assessment familiarisation
Official free familiarisation materials from the exam provider. The first thing to use if your area is GL.
Bond / CGP / Schofield & Sims (books)
Widely used practice books, low cost. Good for self-study and building familiarity.
Atom Learning / online platforms
Adaptive online practice with progress tracking. Mid cost; useful for parents who want structure.
Consortium past papers
Where a consortium (e.g. CSSE) publishes its own past papers, these are the most representative practice.
Always confirm with your consortium
Exam providers, formats and registration deadlines change. The detail on this page is a general overview as of 2026-05. Before you rely on anything, check the official local authority or consortium website for your target schools.
Next steps