GL vs CEM 11+: which practice papers does your child need?

Updated 11 November 2026

Two names come up as soon as you start looking at the 11+: GL Assessment and CEM. They are organisations that have written 11+ tests for grammar schools. The style of test your child sits decides which practice papers are worth your time, so it is worth getting this right before you buy anything.

Start with the school, not the test

Every grammar school, or group of schools in an area, publishes how its 11+ works. Look at the admissions page of each school you are considering, or your local council’s 11+ page. It will tell you:

which organisation sets the test,
which subjects are tested (some areas test all four of English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, others only some of them),
when to register and when the test is sat.

Forums and older guides are often out of date, so trust the school’s own page over anything else.

GL Assessment style tests

GL Assessment now sets the 11+ in many grammar school areas in England. GL tests are usually built from separate subject sections or papers:

English: a comprehension passage, plus spelling, punctuation, grammar and vocabulary questions.
Maths: number, shape, data and problem solving based on the KS2 curriculum.
Verbal reasoning: word, letter and number puzzles such as codes, hidden words and missing letters.
Non-verbal reasoning: shape and pattern puzzles such as series, codes, rotations and nets.

In most GL areas the questions are multiple choice and answers go on a separate answer sheet, so practising with lettered options is useful in itself.

What happened to CEM?

CEM (the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) used to set the 11+ for several areas. In recent years many of those areas have changed provider. For example, Warwickshire’s grammar schools and the King Edward VI schools in Birmingham moved to GL Assessment for September 2023 entry. In the areas we have checked, CEM no longer sets the state grammar school 11+. If a guide or a forum post tells you your area uses CEM, check the school’s admissions page to make sure it is still true.

So why practise with CEM style papers?

CEM style papers mix verbal, numerical and non-verbal reasoning in one test, in short timed sections, with a strong focus on vocabulary. That format is still good practice:

it builds speed, because each section is short and timed,
it trains your child to switch between question types without losing focus,
it stretches vocabulary, which helps in every English and verbal reasoning test.

Our advice: if your child’s test is set by GL Assessment, start with the GL subject packs for the subjects your area tests. Add the CEM style pack if you want extra mixed, timed practice on top.

At a glance

	GL Assessment style	CEM style
Structure	Separate subjects: English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning	Mixed reasoning in one paper, split into short sections
Question format	Mostly multiple choice with lettered options	Mostly multiple choice, mixed question types
Best for	Children sitting a GL Assessment test	Extra timed practice, speed and vocabulary

A quick way to decide

Find out which subjects your target school tests.
Choose the GL packs for those subjects. If you are not sure, or want everything, All five packs covers every subject and costs less than buying them one by one.
Try the free sample paper first and mark it online to see where your child is starting from.

Not sure where to start?

Download the free GL Maths sample paper, then mark it online in two minutes to see which topics need work.

Try the free sample See the packs