"The 11+" isn't one exam. Depending on where you live and which schools you're applying to, your child might sit a GL Assessment paper, a CEM-style test, the Kent Test, the ISEB Common Pre-Test, or a school's own exam. Knowing which one matters — because the format should shape how your child practises.
Formats change and vary by area and school. Treat this as an overview, and confirm the details for your year on each target school's admissions page or your local authority's website.
At a glance
| GL Assessment | CEM-style | Kent Test | ISEB Pre-Test | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Used by | Most grammar school areas | Some grammar schools & areas | Kent grammar schools | Independent schools |
| Format | Paper, multiple choice | Paper, mostly multiple choice | Paper, multiple choice + writing | Online, adaptive |
| Subjects | English, maths, VR, NVR (mix varies) | English/verbal ability, maths, NVR | English, maths, reasoning, writing | English, maths, VR, NVR |
| Style | Predictable, separate sections | Mixed, less predictable | GL-based, Kent structure | Difficulty adapts to answers |
GL Assessment
GL Assessment is the most widely used 11+ provider for grammar schools. Areas pick which subjects to include, so one area might test English, maths and verbal reasoning while another adds non-verbal reasoning.
What a GL English paper looks like
- A comprehension passage, often line-numbered, with multiple-choice questions on retrieval, inference and vocabulary.
- Spelling and punctuation questions in a spot-the-mistake format: a sentence split into lettered sections, where the child picks the section with the error or "N" for no mistake.
- Cloze or sentence completion — choosing the right word to fill a gap.
Answers are usually marked on a separate answer sheet, so practising with one is worthwhile. GL verbal reasoning is a separate paper and is often described as drawing on around 21 question types.
How to prepare: learn every question type thoroughly, then practise speed. Because GL is predictable, technique pays off. More in our GL 11+ English guide.
CEM
CEM (originally from Durham University, now part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment) became known for tests that mix question types together within timed sections, making them feel less predictable. Its "verbal ability" sections lean heavily on vocabulary: synonyms, antonyms, cloze and shuffled sentences.
In recent years a number of areas that used CEM have switched providers, so do check what your target school currently uses.
How to prepare: a wide vocabulary and lots of reading matter most. Practise switching quickly between question types under time pressure.
The Kent Test
The Kent Test is Kent County Council's 11+, set by GL Assessment and usually taken in September of Year 6. It covers English, maths and reasoning (verbal, non-verbal and spatial) in multiple-choice papers, preceded by short practice questions.
There's also a writing exercise. It isn't marked as part of the score, but it can be used by the headteacher assessment panel when reviewing borderline cases — so it's worth preparing properly.
How to prepare: GL-style English and reasoning practice, plus regular timed writing (planning for a few minutes, then writing).
ISEB Common Pre-Test
The ISEB Common Pre-Test is used by many independent senior schools, often as a first screen before their own exams and interviews. It's taken on a computer and is adaptive: questions get harder or easier depending on your child's answers. It covers English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, and is usually taken in Year 6 or Year 7 depending on the school's entry point.
How to prepare: broad skills across all four areas, comfort answering on screen, and practice with passages that include poetry.
Other tests
Some areas and consortiums set their own papers — for example, the CSSE in Essex, whose English paper includes comprehension and continuous writing, and the Sutton Selective Eligibility Test in south London. Many independent schools also write their own English papers with written comprehension answers and an essay.
How Elevenplus FC supports each format
Elevenplus FC's timed mock exams are modelled on GL, Kent, CEM and ISEB formats — English and verbal reasoning only — and you can set your target exam in the app to track coverage. The daily practice underneath — vocabulary, comprehension, SPAG, verbal reasoning and writing — is useful whichever test your child sits.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find out which 11+ exam my child will sit?
Check the admissions page of each school you're applying to, or your local authority's 11+ or secondary transfer page. They'll name the test provider, the subjects, the test date and how to register.
Is GL or CEM harder?
Neither is simply harder. GL papers are more predictable in structure, which rewards learning the question types. CEM-style papers have tended to be less predictable and more vocabulary-heavy, which rewards wide reading and speed. The right preparation depends on the format.
Is the Kent Test the same as GL?
The Kent Test is set by GL Assessment for Kent County Council, so its multiple-choice question styles are similar to other GL papers, but it has its own structure — including a reasoning section and a writing exercise used in headteacher assessments.
Is the ISEB Pre-Test used by grammar schools?
No, it's used by independent schools, often as a first-stage screen before the school's own exams and interviews.