Top grammar schools League Tables 2022

Our focus here is on firstly GL 11 plus and secondly passing CEM 11 plus papers.

Why are there CEM 11+ and GL 11+ differences?

There are two main assessment organisations that provide 11-plus exams for most regions in the UK – CEM and GL. Both types of 11-plus test cover maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning but there are some key differences. Some regions use a mixture of the two papers. There may also be differences in the exams used by different grammar schools within the same region. Therefore, it is essential to check which test format your child will be taking so that you can use the correct practice papers to prepare.

How are 11 plus exams similar?

Both types of 11-plus test cover maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning but there are some key differences. Some regions use a mixture of the two papers. There may also be differences in the exams used by different grammar schools within the same region.

Therefore, it is essential to check which test format your child will be taking so that you can use the correct practice papers to prepare.

CEM 11 Plus Papers

See our useful guides called Where is my local grammar school?

Where’s my local London Grammar Schools?

What is the GL 11 plus?

Well, Granada Learning Assessment / Granada Learning Education are the second leading 11 plus test provider.

We described the first 11 plus test publisher CEM previously.

These two 11 plus companies set most 11+ exams across the UK.

These CEM 11-plus exams typically cover numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning and abstract (or non-verbal) reasoning. They may be multiple choice or standard format – or a mixture of the two. Usually made up of two papers, CEM exams have a mixture of separately timed numerical, verbal and abstract sections. They claim to be “tutor proof” in order to ensure fairness. Their exams aim to identify academic potential without favouring children who can afford coaching. CEM exams assess a child’s vocabulary, speed and problem-solving. The questions on CEM exams are similar to those a child will have encountered in KS2.

GL tests, GL Assessment papers pdf and gl assessment sample papers

Who uses the 11 plus CEM test?

About a third of the UK’s grammar schools use CEM tests to select for entrance.

The following regions use CEM 11-plus tests:

• Berkshire
• Bexley
• Birmingham
• Chelmsford
• Devon
• Gloucestershire
• Shropshire
• Walsall
• Warwickshire
• Wirral
• Wolverhampton

Each region has different types of questions and even different subjects. Most 11-Plus exams incorporate verbal reasoning (word puzzles), Maths and English (comprehension and/or creative writing). Some also include non-verbal reasoning (picture puzzles) and Science. Some are multiple choice, others require candidates to write the answers.

What’s in the CEM 11 Plus?

There are several companies which provide 11-Plus exam papers. However, the main two are GL Assessment and Durham’s CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring). Although GL Assessment still remains the biggest supplier of 11-Plus papers for schools and local authorities, Durham CEM’s papers are gaining in popularity because they claim to be more ‘tutor-proof’. According to its website “CEM aims to reduce any disadvantage created between children who are tutored for tests and those who are not.” It continues: “Our assessments are designed to enable all children to demonstrate their academic potential without the need for excessive preparation.”

In addition to these two companies, 10 grammar schools in the Essex area have their own 11-Plus exam. In Northern Ireland, candidates take a separate exam called the Northern Ireland Transfer Test.

GL tests, GL Assessment papers pdf and gl assessment sample papers

English 11+  CEM topics

Here are in our opinion the 11 plus English topics that are most likely to come up in your 11 plus English questions:

• Alliteration
• Ordering Alphabetically
• Antonyms
• Apostrophes
• Capital Letters
• Commas
• Compound Word
• Comprehension
• Connectives / Conjunctions
• Direct Speech
• Fact and Opinion
• Indirect Speech
• Metaphors
• Onomatopoeia
• Paragraphs
• Prepositions
• Punctuation
• Similes
• Synonyms
• They’re, Their, There
• Verbs
• You’re, Your

CEM 11 Plus non-verbal reasoning practice papers

CEM 11+ non-verbal reasoning test practice

• Non-verbal reasoning examinations are one of the most used ways for testing a student in the 11+ grade.
• Preparation is the key and there are many different strategies that the student can adapt for taking the test successfully.
• It also tests the analytical skills of the students such as shape-based problem-solving skills, puzzles, and many other abstract concepts.
• This kind of reasoning can also be practiced very well in the comfort of home using different strategical locations. The students will require a strong support structure for making it to the end of the examinations and the online tests will make it possible for them.
• The exam boards usually use different letters and shapes to identify the skills of the students and asking them what is the closest thing related to it. However, it has to be kept in mind that there will be no words, involved in this type of test.
• There might be codes as it is used by many schools under a specific GL code. The first tip for any student appearing on this test is spotting the different patterns of shapes.

Top 5 CEM 11+ non-verbal reasoning tips

1. The application of logic and special awareness will be required for passing this test and one should be able to spot different patterns showcased in the form of shapes.
2. Secondly, there are certain things that the newly practicing students will need to look out for to make the learning process easier and to quickly address the issues. All of these below discussed suggestions can be practiced at home to make sure that the child is ready on the test day. A method similar to the CGP method can be followed so that the child learns easier and quicker.
3. The third tip is to invest time and get familiar with the questions. The student will not make themselves familiar with the different aspects of the test in the first place and only they will be able to build a thought process for connecting with the questions asked in the test. Once the student has spent effective time getting familiar with the shape patterns, then they need to start practicing effectively. The more they practice the quicker the better they will get. Spotting the patterns at the time of the exam will become easier this way.
4. Fourth tip is to be open-minded and give a shot to all types of approaches towards solving the questions. They can be different approaches to non-verbal learning. The first step will be to understand what the student should be looking for in the patterns and which may range anywhere from shapes to numbers, rotations, eliminations, etc.
5. The fifth step involves practicing the skill before they move on to a new skill and once the process is complete then they will practice on certain combinations and the different areas, where they are better now and then trying to ask themselves questions to understand how well they can grasp it.

GL tests, GL Assessment papers pdf and gl assessment sample papers

Top Ten CEM 11+ non-verbal reasoning tips

1. Sixth step is to memorize the patterns from the questions you’re answering. The questions that usually come in the examination will assist you in getting the answers right in the shape-based questions is understanding which one is the odd one out.It would also be valuable of being good at counting. The counting part comes, in which you will have spot patterns as well. One will have to link between the different pattern shapes and understand which of them represents a link between themselves.
2. The seventh tip is to be familiar with color combinations. There can be another type of question in which you will have to determine which point of black shapes looks similar to the same of the white shapes and then also figure out which shapes are unlike the others.The outline of the large shape will slowly become large and will slowly be dashed.
3. The next tip is to watch closely and understand which figures have a changing pattern among them and if they can be changed in some way to form a similar pattern. With effective practice, one will be able to recognize the patterns during the exams quite easily.
4. Ninth tip is to determine from where you’re appearing. If the student is appearing from an Essex-based, then there is no requirement for preparing for the NVR test, as the students there are judged based on Mathematics and English examinations only.
5. The last tip is to practice reasoning questions. With efficient help and willpower, any student can crack this test, even though NVR skills are not taught the primary school sessions. There is help available online and with a decent amount of practice almost anyone will be able to understand the questions based on different shapes and patterns.

Differences between CEM and GL tests

CEM exams group the Verbal Reasoning 11+ and the English 11+ tests together. CEM exams are also divided into separately timed sections. It’s therefore important that children learn how to manage their time correctly as it’s not possible to return to sections once completed. Nevertheless, the CEM entrance tests cover the same subject areas (Maths, English, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning) as the GL Assessment tests. They also have the same standardized pass-mark (121).

See our useful guides called Where is my local grammar school?

Where’s my local London Grammar Schools?

11 Plus GL Assessment sample papers

These counties use the GL Assessment 11 Plus grammar entrance exams across the following regions:

• Buckinghamshire has only just moved to GL Assessments from the 2019 intake.
• Dorset has 4 grammar schools and one with an expressly academic stream. This academic stream school, Poole High School admits 32 pupils on the basis of their school entrance test results. They all use the GL Assessment primarily, with some internal tests set.
• Kent has the most grammar schools in the UK. There are 35 grammar schools in Kent all using the same test. GL Assessment sets the Kent Test. It is different every year in order to make it difficult to predict. Visit our page Kent GL Plus for more information on the Kent 11 GL 11 Plus
• Lancashire has 4 grammar schools, all using GL Assessment.
• Cumbria has only one grammar school, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Penrith. They use GL Assessment.
• Lincolnshire has 16 grammar schools of which 15 are part of the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools. These Consortium schools make use of the GL Assessment. Caistor Grammar School (mixed) is not part of the Consortium and sets their own exam papers.
• Wiltshire has only 2 grammar schools. The one, Bishop Wordsworth’s (Boys) uses CEM and the other, South Wilts Grammar School (Girls) GL assessments.

CEM 11 plus papers

11 Plus Papers – GL Assessment Framework

The GL Assessment 11 Plus Test focuses on four skills: English literacy; numeracy skills; verbal reasoning skills and non-verbal reasoning skills.

GL Assessment 11 Plus Maths Test Practice Parent Guide

GLAssessment 11 Plus Maths Practice 1 and Answer Sheet 1

GL Assessment 11 Plus Maths Practice 2 and Answer Sheet 2

GLAssessment 11 Plus Maths Test Practice Parent Guide

GL Assessment 11 Plus English Practice 1 and Answer Sheet 1

GLAssessment 11 Plus English Practice 2 and Answer Sheet 2

GL Assessment 11 Plus Non-Verbal Reasoning Parent Guide

GLAssessment 11 Plus Non-Verbal Reasoning Practice

and Answer Sheet

GL Assessment 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning Test Parent Guide

GL Assessment 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning Practice 1

and Answer Sheet 1

GL Assessment 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning Practice 2

and Answer Sheet 2

GL tests and GL Assessment papers 

What are the 11 Plus Exam Board Differences?

CEM and GL are two different exam boards that are the exam boards in virtually all regions where the 11+ is still used.

CSSE type of 11 plus exams is however for those that want to apply for one of the 10 Grammar schools in the consortium of selective schools in Essex.

11 plus GL and CEM 11 plus differences

CEM exams group the Verbal Reasoning 11+ and the English 11+ tests together. CEM exams are also divided into separately timed sections. It’s therefore important that children learn how to manage their time correctly as it’s not possible to return to sections once completed. Nevertheless, the CEM entrance tests cover the same subject areas (Maths, English, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning) as the GL Assessment tests. They also have the same standardized pass-mark (121).

GL tests and GL Assessment papers 

Application tips

Both grammar schools and private schools are usually academically selective and require the student to pass an entrance test. Today there are around 163 grammar schools in England and a further 67 in Northern Ireland. Only a handful of local authorities in England have kept selective schools across all of the boroughs. These include Kent, Medway, Buckinghamshire and Lincolnshire. In other areas, such as Gloucestershire, Trafford and Slough there is a mix. There are also a number of grammar schools in a few of the London boroughs as well as in Birmingham and Bournemouth. Approximately 45% of children in Northern Ireland attend a grammar school compared to just 5% in England.

11 plus GL and CEM 11 plus differences

How do I find grammar schools in my area?

One source for finding local grammar schools is the National Grammar Schools Association. This allows you to search for grammar schools by different counties. Here’s our own regional grammar schools list and Wikipaedia’s list of English grammar schools.

Best grammar school results?

The Telegraph’s top grammar schools list is based on GCSE results. Tiffin Girls’ School in Kingston Upon Thames was the number one grammar school. The second was Upton Court Grammar School in Slough (boys and girls) and third was Queen Elizabeth’s School in Barnet (boys).

GL tests and GL Assessment papers 

11 plus grammar school regions

East Anglia (Essex and South-End-on Sea); East Midlands / Lincolnshire; London (Barnet, Bexley, Bromley, Enfield, Kingston upon the Thames, Redbridge, Surrey, Sutton); Northern England (Calderdale, Kirklees, North Yorkshire); North Western England grammar schools (Cumbria, Lancashire, Liverpool, Trafford, Wirral); South Eastern grammar schools (Buckinghamshire, Kent, Medway Towns, Reading, Slough); South Western grammar schools (Bournemouth, Devon, Gloucestershire, Plymouth, Poole, Torbay, Wiltshire); West Midlands grammar schools (Birmingham, Stoke on Trent, Walsall, Warwickshire, Wolverhampton).

Each 11 plus region has different types of questions and even different subjects. Most 11-Plus exams incorporate verbal reasoning (word puzzles), Maths and English (comprehension and/or creative writing). Some also include non-verbal reasoning (picture puzzles) and Science. Some are multiple-choice, others require candidates to write the answers.

11 plus GL and CEM 11 plus differences

Which other types of 11-Plus test are there?

In addition to these two companies, 10 grammar schools in the Essex area have their own 11-Plus exam. In Northern Ireland, candidates take a separate exam called the Northern Ireland Transfer Test.

What about a Grammar School application for the CSSE test?

The CSSE test in Essex is a little different comprising only English (including creative writing) and Maths papers. The English paper is 60 minutes + 10 minutes of reading time, and the Maths paper is 60 minutes in total. Further information on the CSSE test.

11 plus GL and CEM 11 plus differences

GL tests and GL Assessment papers 

CEM 11 Plus

CEM type of 11 Plus exams typically covers numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning and abstract (or non-verbal) reasoning. They may be multiple choice or standard format – or a mixture of the two. Usually made up of two papers, CEM exams have a mixture of separately timed numerical, verbal and abstract sections. They claim to be “tutor proof” in order to ensure fairness.

• Firstly, each consists of two papers; divided into separately timed sections.
• The mixed paper format combines two of these into one test.
• Thus, the CEM English and the CEM verbal reasoning tests are combined.
• Secondly, the CEM maths test and the CEM non-verbal reasoning test are combined.
• CEM 11 plus timings are given per section.

The following regions use CEM 11-plus tests:

• Berkshire
• Bexley
• Birmingham
• Devon
• Gloucestershire
• Shropshire
• Walsall
• Warwickshire
• Wirral
• Wolverhampton

GL 11 Plus

Firstly, the GL 11 Plus consists of these four 11 plus papers: English GL Assessment; Maths GL Assessment; Verbal Reasoning GL Assessment; and Non-verbal Reasoning GL Assessment.

• The format of these papers does vary from region to region.
• GL 11+ exams have an administration time of 45 mins. Individual grammar schools determine their own test times and the multiple-choice/standard 11 plus format.

GL tests and GL Assessment papers 

11+ regions using GL 11+

• Buckinghamshire has only just moved to GL Assessments from the 2019 intake.
• Dorset has 4 grammar schools and one with an expressly academic stream. This academic stream school, Poole High School admits 32 pupils on the basis of their school entrance test results. They all use the GL Assessment primarily, with some internal tests set.
• Kent has the most grammar schools in the UK. There are 35 grammar schools in Kent all using the same test. GL Assessment sets the Kent Test. It is different every year in order to make it difficult to predict. Visit our page Kent GL Plus for more information on the Kent 11 GL 11 Plus
• Lancashire has 4 grammar schools, all using GL Assessment.
• Cumbria has only one grammar school, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Penrith. They use the GL Assessment.
• Lincolnshire has 16 grammar schools of which 15 are part of the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools. These Consortium schools make use of the GL Assessment. Caistor Grammar School (mixed) is not part of the Consortium and sets their own exam papers.
• Wiltshire has only 2 grammar schools. The one, Bishop Wordsworth’s (Boys) uses CEM and the other, South Wilts Grammar School (Girls) GL assessments.
• Kent is the area with the most grammar schools. If you want entrance into any of the 35 grammar schools your child would need to write the Kent test. The Kent entrance exam is set by GL Assessment. It is different every year to make it more difficult to predict.

More FREE practice papers

The following link has many useful past 11 plus Maths papers for you to practice before your 11+ Maths papers 2022. And here’s some of the best

• 11 plus Verbal Reasoning papers to use prior to your 11 plus verbal reasoning 2022 exam.
• Plus our 11 plus non-verbal reasoning tips for your Non-verbal reasoning 11 plus 2022 practice.
• And finally extra aptitude test practice to improve your literacy skills and numeracy skills.

Main differences between CEM and GL

GL Assessment and CEM set most 11+ exams across the UK. Thus, each 11+ provider sets several regional 11 Plus exams. Check individual grammar school websites so that you can confirm whether your child is to sit the CEM 11 Plus, the GL 11 Plus, or some combination of both 11 Plus test formats. GL Assessment partners are also published on the GL Assessment website. For further information on Grammars using CEM, visit our page CEM 11+ Grammars.

CEM exams group the Verbal Reasoning 11+ and the English 11+ tests together. CEM exams are also divided into separately timed sections. It’s therefore important that children learn how to manage their time correctly as it’s not possible to return to sections once completed.

Nevertheless, the CEM entrance tests cover the same subject areas (Maths, English, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning) as the GL Assessment tests. They also have the same standardized pass-mark (121).

GL Assessment papers pdf and GL tests

11 plus GL and CEM 11 plus differences

CEM exams group the Verbal Reasoning 11+ and the English 11+ tests together. CEM exams are also divided into separately timed sections. It’s therefore important that children learn how to manage their time correctly as it’s not possible to return to sections once completed. Nevertheless, the CEM entrance tests cover the same subject areas (Maths, English, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning) as the GL Assessment tests. They also have the same standardized pass-mark (121).

Application tips

Both grammar schools and private schools are usually academically selective and require the student to pass an entrance test. Today there are around 163 grammar schools in England and a further 67 in Northern Ireland. Only a handful of local authorities in England have kept selective schools across all of the boroughs. These include Kent, Medway, Buckinghamshire and Lincolnshire. In other areas, such as Gloucestershire, Trafford and Slough there is a mix. There are also a number of grammar schools in a few of the London boroughs as well as in Birmingham and Bournemouth. Approximately 45% of children in Northern Ireland attend a grammar school compared to just 5% in England.

GL tests

How do I find grammar schools in my area?

One source for finding local grammar schools is the National Grammar Schools Association. This allows you to search for grammar schools by different counties. Here’s our own regional grammar schools list and Wikipaedia’s list of English grammar schools.

Best grammar school results?

The Telegraph’s top grammar schools list is based on GCSE results. Tiffin Girls’ School in Kingston Upon Thames was the number one grammar school. The second was Upton Court Grammar School in Slough (boys and girls) and third was Queen Elizabeth’s School in Barnet (boys).

Are all the 11-Plus exams the same throughout the UK?

No. Each region has different types of questions and even different subjects. Most 11-Plus exams incorporate verbal reasoning (word puzzles), Maths and English (comprehension and/or creative writing). Some also include non-verbal reasoning (picture puzzles) and Science. Some are multiple-choice, others require candidates to write the answers.

Top grammar schools League Tables 2022

Which other types of 11 Plus test are there?

In addition to these two companies, 10 grammar schools in the Essex area have their own 11-Plus exam. In Northern Ireland, candidates take a separate exam called the Northern Ireland Transfer Test.

What about a Grammar School application for the CSSE test?

The CSSE test in Essex is a little different comprising only English (including creative writing) and Maths papers. The English paper is 60 minutes + 10 minutes of reading time, and the Maths paper is 60 minutes in total. Further information on the CSSE test.