GL Assessment is the most widely used 11+ provider for grammar schools. If your child is sitting a GL-style test, the English paper follows a fairly predictable format — which is great news, because predictable formats reward preparation. Here's what to expect.
Each area chooses which GL papers to use, and details such as timing and question numbers vary. Treat this as a general guide and confirm the format with your local authority or target school.
What's in a GL-style English paper
1. Reading comprehension
Usually a single passage — fiction, non-fiction or poetry — often with numbered lines, followed by multiple-choice questions. Questions cover:
- Retrieval — finding stated facts.
- Inference — working out feelings, motives and implied meaning.
- Vocabulary in context — "Which word is closest in meaning to … in line 12?"
- Language and technique — figurative language and word choice.
- Grammar in context — word classes or sentence features from the passage.
More on technique in 11+ comprehension tips.
2. Spelling — spot the mistake
A sentence is split into sections labelled A–D, with N for "no mistake". The child chooses the section containing a spelling error.
A The comittee met B every Thursday to C discuss the village D summer festival. N
Answer: A — committee has double m and double t.
Prepare with our 11+ spelling list.
3. Punctuation — spot the mistake
The same lettered format, testing capital letters, apostrophes, commas, speech marks and end punctuation.
A "Have you seen B my trainers" asked C Tom, searching under D the stairs. N
Answer: B — a question mark is needed inside the inverted commas: my trainers?"
4. Sentence completion (cloze)
Choosing the right word to complete a sentence or passage — testing vocabulary, grammar and meaning together. See 11+ cloze tests explained.
The multiple-choice answer sheet
GL-style tests are usually marked by machine from a separate answer sheet. Common mistakes cost marks that have nothing to do with English:
- Marking the answer on the wrong line after skipping a question.
- Faint or messy marks, or ticks instead of the required lines.
- Not rubbing out changed answers fully.
Tip: practise with printed papers and a separate answer sheet so the routine is automatic by exam day.
How to prepare for GL 11+ English
- Learn each question type until it's familiar — the format rarely surprises.
- Build vocabulary daily; it underpins comprehension and cloze.
- Drill spot-the-mistake with spelling and punctuation — scan every word.
- Read line-numbered passages and practise going back to the exact line referenced.
- Add timing in the final months with full GL-style mock papers.
- Use the official familiarisation materials for your area so the real paper looks familiar.
Elevenplus FC includes a GL-style English mock exam — a line-numbered passage, lettered spelling and punctuation questions and sentence completion — which can be printed as a paper. It's modelled on public guidance, not an official GL paper. See 11+ mock exams.
Frequently asked questions
Is the GL 11+ English paper multiple choice?
In most areas, yes. Answers are usually marked on a separate answer sheet, so children should practise transferring answers accurately. Some areas use different formats, so check your local admissions information.
Does GL publish practice papers?
GL Assessment provides familiarisation materials for parents so children can see the question styles and answer sheet. Check the GL Assessment website and your local authority's 11+ page for what's available for your area.
Is verbal reasoning part of the GL English paper?
Usually not — GL verbal reasoning is normally a separate paper, although whether it's included at all depends on the area. See our verbal reasoning guides for that paper.