England is home to 163 grammar schools. The 11 Plus is a highly competitive exam set by two exam boards, CEM and GL. Both boards have a different 11 Plus exam format. The CEM and GL 11 Plus exams resources play a key role in helping your child prepare for the exam effectively and achieve their target scores.
This blog explores in detail the top effective resources for CEM and GL 11 Plus exam preparation.
CEM vs GL 11 Plus Exam Board
The following are the key differences between 2 popular 11 Plus exam boards in the UK.
| GL Assessment | CEM Assessment |
| GL stands for Granada Learning | CEM is the abbreviation for Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring |
| The 11 Plus exam conducted by GL Assessment includes Maths, English, Verbal and Nonverbal Reasoning questions. | CEM covers English, Maths, Verbal, Nonverbal and Numerical Reasoning. |
| The 11 Plus exam set by GL Assessment takes place in September. | Schools decide the dates. |
| Multiple choice questions | Multiple choice questions |
| A traditional exam which is taken on paper | An online exam taken on a computer |
| A more predictable exam format for exam practice. | It focuses on critical thinking and problem-solving. |
Revision Materials for CEM/GL 11 Plus Exams
There are so many effective CEM/GL revision materials and resources that it can be challenging for parents to choose the right one for their children.
- tice Papers
Both GL and CEM Assessment provide effective practice papers; you can also find them on various other websites.
Along with expert tutoring, practice papers are integral to 11 Plus GL and CEM online tutoring resources, which are tailored to children’s specific exam boards, for effective exam revision.
We asked a parent:
“My son solved practice papers daily, which supercharged his exam preparation. Lifesaver (or examsaver!).” – Eva, Parent
- Subject-Specific Workbooks
You can easily find 11 Plus exam workbooks. The books are highly effective revision materials. They contain:
- Detailed Explanations
- Examples
- Practice Questions
Here’s what a parent has to say about the effectiveness of 11 Plus CEM/GL exam workbooks:
“Workbooks were my daughter’s go-to for effective 11 Plus exam revision. The books helped her gain detailed insights.” – Jane, Parent.
- Past Papers
- Encourage your child to solve past papers daily during official exam time to not only practice key subjects but also master time management.
- Daily 20-25 mins of past papers practice supercharges your child’s 11 Plus exam preparation.
“My son started solving past papers on his tutor’s recommendation, and oh, I can certainly say they are the best 11 Plus revision and preparation resources. Highly recommended. – Kandy, Parent”
- Mock Exams
If you asked anyone around you, the one resource they recommend for 11 Plus exam revision, most of the answers would be mock exams. (I bet on this!)
Various 11 Plus tutoring services conduct regular mock exams. They play a key role in:
- Familiarising your child with the exam format
- Boosting confidence
- Reducing exam anxiety
This is what David, parent of a student hopeful for grammar school admission, had to say when asked about mock exams:
“Mock exams not only helped my daughter improve time management but also helped her revise key subjects. Worth it. – David, Parent”
Areas that Use GL’s 11 Plus Exam
- Buckinghamshire
- Kent
- Birmingham
- Dorset
- Lancashire & Cumbria
- Northern Ireland
- Warwickshire
- Medway
- Lincolnshire
Areas that Use CEM’s 11 Plus Exam
The CEM assessment sets the 11 Plus exam for the following areas in England:
- Wolverhampton
- Walsall
- Bexley
- Shropshire
- Berkshire
- Gloucestershire
Areas that Use GL and CEM 11 Plus Exam
- Greater London
- Devon
- Essex
- Hertfordshire
- Trafford
- Wiltshire
- Wirral
- Yorkshire
Conclusion
Almost a month before the 11 Plus exam, what revision materials do you recommend for CEM/GL 11 Plus exams? Becomes the most asked question by parents, and rightly so, because 11 Plus revision material plays a key role in the grammar schools’ entrance exam success. GL/CEM Past papers, practice tests, mock exams and subject-specific workbooks are among the best revision material for revision of CEM/GL 11 Plus exams.
