The 11 Plus exam is taken during the last year of primary school (Year 6) and allows children the option of going to a grammar school. Naturally, all parents want the best preparation for their child when it comes to the 11 Plus.
There are two main 11 Plus exam boards, GL and CEM, and although their exam formats are similar, there are differences that will affect how your child prepares for the test.
In this post, we look at each exam board and explain the differences between them.
GL Assessment
GL stands for Granada Learning. GL was previously known as the National Education Foundation for Education Research (NFER). NFER was bought by Granada Learning in 2001.
GL has been the exam board of choice for most grammar schools for over twenty years and they remain ever popular.
As of 2022, the following regions use GL assessment:
- Birmingham
- Buckinghamshire
- Kent
- Dorset
- Lincolnshire
- London: Barnet, Bromley, Enfield, Kingston-upon-Thames, Sutton
- Southwest Hertfordshire
- Warwickshire
CEM Assessment
CEM stands for Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring, which is a research group based at the University of Durham. They created their own 11 Plus to compete with GL amid concerns from some grammar schools which felt that GL had become too predictable.
As of 2022, the following regions use CEM:
- Berkshire
- Bexley
- Gloucestershire
- Shropshire
- Walsall
- Wirral
- Wolverhampton
- Medway
Subjects covered
The GL exam board covers:
- English (comprehension, word choice and grammatical proofreading)
- Maths
- Verbal Reasoning (21 types plus variants)
- Non-Verbal Reasoning (including spatial reasoning)
Questions are chosen from GL question banks, so regular practice helps to familiarise children with the question types they will see.
CEM covers:
- Numerical Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
The CEM definition of Verbal Reasoning is broader than that of GL and incorporates comprehension, cloze text, shuffled sentences and vocabulary exercises including synonyms, antonyms and odd one out.
CEM questions are slightly different each year, making it a more unpredictable exam and less ‘transparent’ than the GL assessment.
GL and CEM exam formats
Most GL exams consist of 2 x 50-minute papers and questions are normally in multiple-choice format.
The papers are usually split into individually timed sections in a mixed order. The exact weighting of subjects isn’t known, but it is believed to have an equal split between English, Maths Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Once the time in each section has elapsed, children will not be allowed to return to that section.
CEM tests also incorporate multiple-choice formats.
There are usually 2 x 45-minute test papers consisting of shorter timed sections that integrate the different subjects in a mixed order. The exact weighting of subjects isn’t known, but there is a strong emphasis on vocabulary, problem solving and speed.
Once the time in each section has elapsed, children will not be allowed to return to that section.
What are the differences between CEM and GL?
In many ways, GL and CEM 11 Plus exams are quite similar.
Both exams draw from the four main subject areas (English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning). Both require a similar skill level in these areas and they are both typically multiple-choice formats.
Whereas the Maths, English and Non-Verbal elements are broadly similar across both exam boards, there are some important differences in Verbal Reasoning between CEM and GL papers.
In CEM exams, Verbal Reasoning and English are grouped together, so Verbal Reasoning includes:
– Comprehension
– Cloze Text
– Spelling and Punctuation
– Shuffled Sentences
– Vocabulary question types such as Synonyms, Antonyms and Odd One Out
In GL Assessment exams, English and Verbal Reasoning are separate, and there are 21 key Verbal Reasoning question types (plus variants) that span vocabulary, mental maths, and code-cracking questions.
It is neither advantageous nor disadvantageous to sit either exam board.
They are both highly regarded institutions, and they both offer a fair, robust and rigorous assessment process. Time management skills are crucial for both exam boards, as is a rich and deep vocabulary, which often comes through good reading habits.
Please note
Please note that 11 Plus exam papers vary according to different schools and regions, and there can be a reasonable degree of variation even within the same exam board from region to region.
It is best to check with your local authority or grammar school of choice to make sure that your child knows what to expect from their exam.
Most authorities will publish free sample materials for your child to practise with.
How can I prepare my child for the 11 Plus?
Whichever style of exam your child will be taking, we will be able to help and support you.
Our 11+ tuition and 11+ mock exams prepare children for both GL and CEM exams as a lot of the skills are transferable.
Sutton Tutorials can provide advice and resources to help get your child 11+ ready and help avoid the stress and anxiety that often precedes it.