Banke Oki-Balogun: Parent Education Series
Is your child preparing for the 11+ exam? Before investing in textbooks, practice papers or tutoring, there is one important question every parent should ask: Which 11+ exam will my child actually be taking?
Many parents assume the 11+ is one standard examination taken by children across England. However, the reality is quite different.
Unlike GCSEs or A-levels, the 11+ does not have one national examination board or a uniform syllabus. Different grammar schools, local authorities and independent schools use different entrance assessments, each with its own structure, question types and admission requirements.
Understanding these differences can make a significant difference to how effectively your child prepares.
What is the 11+ examination?
The 11+ is a selective entrance examination typically taken by children in Year 6, usually aged 10 or 11, who are applying to grammar schools or certain independent secondary schools.
Depending on the school and examination provider, children may be assessed in four main areas:
- English: Reading comprehension, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
- Mathematics: Arithmetic, fractions, percentages, problem-solving and mathematical reasoning.
- Verbal Reasoning: Word relationships, codes, language patterns and logical thinking.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: Shapes, sequences, diagrams, spatial awareness and pattern recognition.
Not every school tests all four areas, and some schools include written English, creative writing or additional assessments.
This is why understanding the examination provider matters.
1. GL Assessment: The most widely used 11+ provider
GL Assessment is one of the most established providers of 11+ entrance examinations and is widely used by grammar schools across England.
GL Assessment tests commonly cover English, mathematics, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, although the precise combination depends on the school or consortium.
What makes GL Assessment different?
GL examinations generally use structured questions and frequently employ multiple-choice answer sheets. Children must develop both subject knowledge and the ability to work accurately under timed conditions.
For example, a verbal reasoning question might require a child to recognise a relationship between words, while a non-verbal reasoning question might ask them to identify the missing shape in a sequence.
Where is GL used?
GL Assessment has been used in grammar-school admission arrangements in areas including Buckinghamshire and the West Midlands, as well as Kent for entry in 2027.
The West Midlands shared entrance examination, for example, uses GL Assessment papers covering English comprehension, verbal reasoning, mathematics, and non-verbal and spatial reasoning.
Important update for Kent parents
On 16 October 2026, Kent County Council announced that Quest Assessments, part of Atom Learning Ltd, will replace GL Assessment as the Kent Test provider for September 2028 school entry.
This means pupils sitting the Kent Test in September 2027 will be assessed under the new provider. The council has stated that the test’s purpose, structure and timing will remain substantially unchanged.
2. CEM: The examination provider parents may still encounter
CEM stands for the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring. Historically associated with Durham University, CEM became well known for developing 11+ assessments designed to evaluate children’s academic ability and reasoning skills.
Traditionally, CEM-style assessments tested combinations of verbal skills, mathematics and non-verbal reasoning. They were particularly associated with tightly timed sections and unfamiliar question formats.
However, parents should be aware of an important change.
CEM withdrew from providing traditional paper-based 11+ entrance examinations from 2023. Many grammar-school groups that previously used CEM subsequently moved to GL Assessment or other providers. CEM-style practice resources may still be available, but that does not mean a child’s intended grammar school currently uses a CEM examination.
What should parents do?
If a tutoring provider or practice-book publisher recommends CEM materials, check whether they are appropriate for the current entrance examination used by your child’s target school.
Practising reasoning skills remains valuable, but preparation should reflect the actual test.
3. CSSE: Entrance examinations for Essex grammar schools
The Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE) manages a shared examination for participating selective schools in Essex.
Unlike GL-style examinations that may separately assess verbal and non-verbal reasoning, the CSSE entrance examination focuses on two principal subjects:
- English: Reading comprehension, language skills and written English.
- Mathematics: Mathematical knowledge and problem-solving.
The English examination lasts 60 minutes, with an additional 10 minutes of reading time. The mathematics examination lasts 60 minutes.
An important update is that the CSSE English paper no longer includes Applied Reasoning questions, following a change introduced for 2025 entry.
Why does this matter?
A child preparing for CSSE may need a different study strategy from one preparing for a GL-based grammar-school examination.
English writing, comprehension techniques and clear mathematical working deserve particular attention.
Parents can find further details and familiarisation papers on the official CSSE website.
4. ISEB Common Pre-Tests: Used by independent schools
The Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB) provides entrance assessments used by many leading independent schools.
The ISEB Common Pre-Tests differ from traditional paper-based 11+ examinations because they are administered online and are adaptive.
An adaptive examination adjusts the difficulty of questions based on the child’s responses, helping assess their ability and academic potential.
The examination covers:
| Subject | Test duration |
|---|---|
| English | 40 minutes |
| Mathematics | 40 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning | 25 minutes |
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | 30 minutes |
| Total | 2 hours 15 minutes |
Unlike many grammar-school examinations, ISEB results can be shared with multiple participating independent schools, reducing the need for children to sit separate tests for each application.
Parents should note that some independent schools also require interviews, written assessments or other stages of selection.
5. School-specific and consortium entrance examinations
Not every selective school uses GL, CSSE or ISEB.
Some grammar schools, independent schools and groups of schools develop their own examinations or commission assessments from other providers.
Examples include local consortium tests, school-written entrance papers and assessments supplied by providers such as FSCE or Quest.
These examinations may include English, mathematics, reasoning, creative writing or school-specific tasks.
This is especially important for families applying to several schools across different regions. Even where the subjects appear similar, the examination format and marking criteria may differ.
The key lesson is simple: preparing for the 11+ without knowing the target school’s examination requirements can result in children spending valuable time practising the wrong question formats.
6. Comparing the main 11+ examination providers
| Examination | Main assessment areas | Key characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning | Predominantly structured, multiple-choice testing |
| CEM | Traditionally verbal, numerical and non-verbal reasoning | Historic provider; no longer offers traditional paper-based 11+ exams |
| CSSE | English and mathematics | Includes written responses |
| ISEB | English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning | Online, adaptive assessments |
| School-specific tests | Varies by school | May include creative writing and additional assessments |
| Quest Assessments | Depends on the commissioned test | New Kent Test provider for 2028 entry |
This comparison is a general guide. The school or admissions authority determines the final test requirements.
7. When should children begin preparing for the 11+?
Although most children take the 11+ examination at the beginning of Year 6, preparation often begins earlier.
A sensible preparation approach involves three stages.
Year 4: Building foundations
This is an opportunity to strengthen reading comprehension, vocabulary, mathematical fluency and logical thinking. The emphasis should be on developing knowledge and confidence rather than intensive examination drilling.
Year 5: Structured preparation
Once parents have identified their preferred schools, children can begin practising the relevant examination question types.
This is also a good time to identify learning gaps through diagnostic assessments and introduce timed exercises gradually.
Year 6: Examination readiness
For many grammar-school applicants, examinations take place in September, shortly after Year 6 begins. Consequently, most substantive preparation should be completed during Year 5 and the summer holiday.
At this stage, children should focus on mock examinations, time management, accuracy and revising areas of weakness.
8. Three mistakes parents should avoid
One common mistake is purchasing 11+ practice materials before confirming the examination provider. A child preparing for CSSE, for example, may need substantially different practice from a child taking an entirely multiple-choice GL examination.
Another mistake is focusing exclusively on mathematics and English while overlooking verbal and non-verbal reasoning. These subjects require specific problem-solving techniques and may be unfamiliar to children who have only followed the primary-school curriculum.
Finally, parents should not assume that passing the 11+ automatically guarantees admission to a grammar school. Many schools have additional oversubscription criteria, including catchment areas, distance from school or other published priorities.
9. How can parents identify the correct 11+ examination?
Before beginning preparation, parents should check the admissions information published by their preferred schools or local authority.
The following five questions are particularly useful:
- Which examination provider or entrance-test consortium does the school use?
- What subjects and question formats will be assessed?
- Does the school require any additional tests or written assessments?
- When does examination registration open and close?
- What are the school’s qualifying scores, catchment rules and other admission criteria?
For perspective, the 2027-entry examinations in Buckinghamshire, Warwickshire and Kent took place in September 2026, with registration deadlines falling several months earlier.
Parents planning for September 2028 admission should check the new admissions timetable when it is published rather than relying on the previous year’s dates.
10. How Naijatutors Konnect helps children prepare for the 11+
At Naijatutors Konnect, we understand that successful examination preparation begins with identifying each child’s individual learning needs.
Our online tutoring programmes support children preparing for selective school entrance examinations through personalised learning, targeted subject support and structured academic development.
We help learners strengthen their knowledge of mathematics, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning while developing the confidence and problem-solving skills needed for competitive entrance examinations.
Rather than relying on repetitive practice alone, our approach focuses on understanding concepts, identifying learning gaps and helping children become more confident, independent learners.
Final thoughts: The right preparation starts with the right information
There is no single 11+ examination that every child in England must take.
Different schools use different examination providers, assessment formats and admission criteria. These differences can influence what children need to study, how they should practise and when they need to begin preparing.
For parents, the most important first step is not buying an 11+ workbook. It is identifying the schools they are interested in and understanding exactly what those schools require.
When children prepare for the right examination, with the right support and at the right time, they have a better opportunity to demonstrate their academic ability and approach examination day with confidence.
Considering the 11+ for your child? Naijatutors Konnect offers personalised online tutoring to help children build strong academic foundations and prepare confidently for their next educational milestone.
Editorial note: This article reflects information available as of 20 October 2026. Because providers and admissions policies can change, families should always consult official school and local-authority guidance for their child’s admission year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exam boards are used for the 11+ in the UK?
The most widely used 11+ exam boards are GL Assessment and CEM, but several schools and regions run their own routes instead. CSSE covers the Essex grammar schools, and SET is used in parts of south-west London. Some schools write their own papers entirely. Because there is no single national 11+ board, the exam your child sits depends on the specific school or consortium, so always check the admissions page of each target school rather than assuming a provider.
What is the difference between GL Assessment and CEM?
The GL vs CEM 11+ distinction matters for preparation. GL Assessment tests are typically built around four clearly separated areas: English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, and schools can pick which combination they use. CEM tests tend to blend reasoning into the English and maths papers and put more weight on vocabulary and comprehension speed. Formats and timings vary by school, so confirm the exact paper structure with your target school before buying practice materials.
Is the 11+ exam the same across the UK?
No. The 11+ is not a single national exam. Grammar schools, selective independent schools and regional consortia each choose their own exam board or write their own papers. A child sitting the 11+ in one county may face a completely different format, subject mix and timing from a child in another. This is why checking school-specific requirements, including which provider is used and whether papers are multiple-choice or written, is the first step in any 11+ exam preparation plan.
How can I find out which 11+ exam my child will take?
Start with the admissions section of each target school's website, which usually names the exam provider or consortium and links to sample papers. If it is not stated, contact the admissions office directly and ask which board administers the test and what the format is. Regional consortium websites also publish this information. Confirm details early in Year 5 so there is enough time to build 11+ exam preparation around the right subjects, question types and timing.
