GL vs CEM 11 Plus – what is the difference?

What is the 11 Plus Exam?

The 11 Plus exam is a selective entrance test taken by Year 6 pupils (age 10-11) for admission to over 160 UK grammar schools, testing English, maths, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning across 120,000+ annual test-takers. It serves as the gateway to grammar schools, which prioritise academic ability. Parents often start preparation in Year 5 to build skills in these areas.

The exam aims to identify pupils for state grammar schools in England, with around 163 such schools. Pass marks vary by region, often requiring a place in the top 25% or a standardised score of 110+. Schools use these scores alongside DfE grammar school admissions guidance to allocate places fairly.

Registration typically happens in September-October, with exam dates varying by region, such as Birmingham or Trafford. Offers come by March, followed by results day and potential appeals or waiting lists. For example, in Birmingham, high demand means families prepare early with practice papers from providers like GL or CEM.

Key question types include verbal reasoning for vocabulary and comprehension, non-verbal reasoning for spatial skills, plus curriculum-based maths and English. Pupils benefit from mock exams and tutors to familiarise with time limits and formats. Understanding regional differences, like GL regions versus CEM regions, helps in targeted 11+ prep.

GL Assessment Overview

GL Assessment provides standardised 11+ tests used by 50+ grammar schools in regions like Barnet, Redbridge, Sutton, and Trafford, featuring fixed multiple-choice papers with 4 options per question. These tests follow a consistent format across many local authorities. They help selective schools assess year 6 pupils for entrance.

Parents preparing for 11+ exams value GL's predictable structure. Schools in GL regions, such as Kingston and Reading, use these papers for admissions. The fixed format allows focused practice with GL style resources like Bond papers.

Unlike adaptive tests from other providers, GL papers have set time limits and question numbers. This suits pupils building speed and accuracy. Regional differences exist, but core subjects remain uniform for fair comparison.

Practice with specimen papers builds familiarity. Experts recommend starting year 5 tuition to master GL's multiple choice demands. Consistent prep leads to better percentile ranks in school admissions.

GL Subjects Tested

GL exams test four core subjects: English (reading comprehension, spelling, vocabulary - 50 questions/25 mins), Maths (arithmetic, geometry, data - 50 questions/25 mins), Verbal Reasoning (codes, analogies - 80 questions/30 mins), Non-Verbal Reasoning (shapes, patterns - 80 questions/30 mins). These cover curriculum-based content for year 6 pupils. Schools combine scores for overall SAS score.

Regional variations apply, like Birmingham GL adding CSSE English essay. Check GL Assessment specimen papers from 2023 edition. Tailor prep to your area's grammar schools.

Use CGP books and mock exams for each subject. Focus on weak areas like spatial reasoning. This boosts confidence for test day.

GL Question Styles

GL uses traditional multiple-choice format with 4 answer options, scored via optical mark recognition (OMR), featuring cloze procedure (fill-in-blanks), standard comprehension passages (300-400 words), and 2D shape rotation questions. Time pressure averages 1.2 seconds per question. Practice builds exam strategy.

• Synonym selection: Which word means the same as rapid? a) slow b) quick c) steady d) loud
• Number series: 2, 4, 8,? a) 10 b) 12 c) 16 d) 20
• Shape sequences: Identify the next pattern in rotating triangles
• Cloze passages: Fill blanks in a 300-word story with vocabulary choices
• Word pairs: Find opposites or analogies like cat: kitten:: dog:?

Reference Bond GL practice papers for these styles. They match real 11+ exam papers from Trafford or Sutton. Pupils learn to eliminate wrong options quickly.

Parents choose online courses or tutors for targeted drills. Mock exams simulate time limits. This prepares for GL regions versus CEM style differences.

CEM (Durham) Overview

CEM (Centre for Evaluation & Measurement, Durham University) delivers computer-adaptive 11+ tests to over 80 schools including Hertfordshire, Birmingham, and all Northern Ireland grammar schools, using item-response theory for dynamic difficulty adjustment.

These CEM tests adapt question difficulty based on performance, branching to easier or harder items as needed. This keeps students challenged without overwhelming them during the exam.

Scores standardise via SAS (Standard Age Score), with a mean of 100 and standard deviation of 15. Selective schools use this system to rank candidates fairly across age groups.

CEM serves many consortium schools and state grammar schools in regions like Trafford, Wirral, and Glasgow. Parents preparing Year 5 or Year 6 children should focus on adaptive practice to match this format.

CEM Subjects Tested

CEM combines four skills into two papers: Verbal (60 mins: vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, verbal reasoning) and Numerical/Non-Verbal (60 mins: maths, mental arithmetic, spatial reasoning, patterns, sequences).

Paper 1 covers Verbal skills with a mix of question types. The adaptive nature means correct answers increase difficulty, while wrong ones decrease it, tailoring the test in real time.

Practice with CEM style papers helps Year 6 pupils build stamina for 60-minute sessions. Experts recommend timed mocks to simulate branching effects.

CEM Question Styles

CEM features long-form questions (up to 120 words), contextual problem-solving, and adaptive difficulty where top performers face advanced challenges while others get basics, all multiple-choice with five options.

Key styles include extended vocabulary in passages, multi-step word problems, and 3D spatial rotations. These differ from GL fixed papers by adjusting on the fly.

• Extended vocabulary contexts: Words like ephemeral in a story about seasons.
• Multi-step word problems: Calculate train speeds with changing directions.
• 3D spatial rotation in 45° increments.
• Hidden pattern sequences: Spot rules in number or shape series.
• Grammar in context: Identify errors in full paragraphs.

The branching algorithm ensures precise assessment for school admissions. Use CGP books or online courses for CEM-specific 11+ training.

Key Differences: Format and Structure

GL uses fixed paper-based tests (4x25-30 min papers, 4 MC options) while CEM employs computer-adaptive digital tests (2x60 min papers, 5 MC options) with real-time difficulty adjustment based on item response theory.

This core format difference shapes how pupils approach the 11 Plus. GL's shorter, multiple papers suit quick-paced practice with Bond papers or CGP books. CEM's longer sessions demand sustained focus, often prepped via CEM style online courses.

Test environments also vary. GL exams occur in supervised halls at primary schools, mimicking familiar settings for Year 6 children. CEM tests happen in computer rooms, requiring basic digital skills from Year 5 prep.

Understanding these structural contrasts aids exam strategy. Parents in GL regions like Hertfordshire or Birmingham focus on speed drills. Those in CEM regions such as Trafford or Wirral emphasise endurance and adaptive question handling.

This table highlights key 11+ differences for grammar school prep. Use it to tailor tuition or mock exams to the right test provider.

Key Differences: Content and Topics

GL emphasises curriculum-based English (spelling, comprehension) and traditional IQ tests while CEM integrates advanced reasoning across broader KS3 topics including GCSE-level sequences and contextual vocabulary.

This core content difference shapes how students prepare for 11 Plus exams. GL focuses on primary school knowledge, making it familiar for Year 5 and Year 6 pupils. CEM pushes into more abstract skills, often catching unprepared candidates off guard.

Practice with GL style papers builds confidence in standard topics, while CEM Select mocks hone flexible thinking for varied question types. Parents should match prep to target grammar schools in GL regions like Birmingham or CEM areas like Trafford.

Understanding these shifts helps tailor exam strategy, from drilling spelling rules to tackling numerical sequences beyond KS2.

Comparison Table: Content Coverage

This table highlights topic weighting differences. GL leans heavily on curriculum-aligned content, suiting primary schools prep with Bond papers or CGP books. CEM spreads weight across reasoning, demanding broader practice like online courses for sequences.

English: Spelling vs Grammar Focus

GL tests spelling patterns and comprehension from Year 6 texts, like identifying misspelt words in sentences. Pupils practise with receive versus recieve. This aligns closely with school English lessons.

CEM shifts to grammar rules, spotting errors in complex sentences or choosing correct tenses. Examples include spotting subject-verb agreement in passages. Prep involves analysing full paragraphs, not isolated words.

For selective schools like those in Redbridge, blend both with mixed practice papers to cover regional differences.

Maths: KS2 vs KS3 Extension

GL sticks to KS2 Maths, covering decimals, percentages, and shapes from the national curriculum. Questions use familiar multiple choice formats with time limits per section. Year 5 revision suffices for most.

CEM introduces KS3 topics like algebraic sequences or data interpretation at GCSE hints. A question might ask to extend 2, 5, 10, 17 spotting the pattern. This tests reasoning over rote learning.

Tutors recommend starting CEM maths with past papers from consortium schools in Hertfordshire to build speed.

Reasoning: VR Codes vs Contexts, NVR 2D vs 3D

GL VR uses codes and puzzles, like letter-number codes or odd-one-out words. NVR emphasises 2D shapes folding or mirroring. These mimic classic IQ elements in fixed papers.

CEM VR applies vocabulary in contexts, such as paired words or hidden meanings. NVR ramps up with 3D spatial reasoning, rotating cubes or views. Adaptive elements may adjust difficulty.

For schools in Sutton or Kingston, use mock exams mixing both to boost percentile ranks and standardised scores.

Regional Usage Patterns

GL dominates South East and London areas such as Barnet, Redbridge and Sutton with 18 schools using its tests. CEM controls West Mids and Northern Ireland including Birmingham's 8 schools and all 68 NI grammars. Hybrid regions like Trafford use both GL and CEM formats.

Parents in GL regions prepare for multiple choice questions in maths, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. In CEM regions, focus shifts to numerical and verbal reasoning with less emphasis on non-verbal. Knowing your local grammar schools helps tailor 11+ prep effectively.

Consortiums like SET in Hertfordshire and CSSE in Essex add layers to regional choices. Registration for 2024 saw high demand in London boroughs, with results guiding school admissions. Check specific exam dates and pass marks for your area to plan ahead.

Use this table to identify your regional differences and select appropriate practice papers. For example, Barnet families often use GL Assessment mocks, while Birmingham opts for CEM style resources like CGP books.

Preparation Strategies Comparison

GL prep emphasises 50+ practice papers (Bond, CGP) and speed drills while CEM requires reasoning mastery through adaptive mocks (ExamNinja, PreTest) starting 18 months early. This core difference in approach stems from the exam boards' formats. GL focuses on fixed papers, so students build pace under time limits.

CEM prep demands deeper reasoning skills for its adaptive tests. Students tackle varied question types in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths, and English. Starting in year 5 gives time to master complex problems.

Practice materials differ by region and test provider. GL students use 20 Bond papers for standard format drills. CEM leans on 12 adaptive mocks to mimic real exam shifts.

Timelines reflect difficulty levels. GL suits a 12-month plan with speed focus for grammar schools in GL regions like Birmingham and Trafford. CEM needs an 18-month timeline for CEM Select areas such as Northern Ireland and Hertfordshire.

Side-by-Side Strategy Comparison

This table highlights key 11 Plus differences between GL and CEM. Parents choose based on local grammar schools or selective schools. For example, GL suits Sutton and Kingston with its pace emphasis.

Experts recommend tailoring prep to exam style. GL students practise maths reasoning and vocabulary under strict time limits. CEM builds comprehension and spatial reasoning through layered challenges.

Recommended Resources

These resources match regional differences in GL regions and CEM regions. Use CGP for Barnet and Redbridge GL papers. Bond and ExamNinja aid Wirral or Liverpool CEM prep.

Combine with past papers from school sites for authentic practice. Tutors or online courses enhance focus on weak areas like numerical reasoning.

Practical Tips and Timeline Advice

Start GL prep in year 6 summer with daily speed drills on Bond papers. Track progress via percentile rank on fixed tests. Adjust for pass mark in state grammar schools.

For CEM, begin 18 months out with adaptive practice like PreTest. Build stamina for longer sessions in verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Monitor standardised score improvements.

Use mocks weekly near exam dates. Parents in consortium schools review results day processes. This builds confidence for school admissions and waiting lists.