The 11+ is the entrance exam used by grammar schools and many independent schools to select pupils for Year 7. It has a reputation for being mysterious, partly because there isn't one single 11+. The format, subjects and test provider vary from area to area. This guide demystifies it: what the four question types are, who sets the test where you live, how the timeline works, and how to prepare without overwhelming your child.

When and where is the 11+ taken?

Most children sit the 11+ early in Year 6, having prepared during Year 5 and the summer before. It's used for entry to state grammar schools and many independent (private) schools. Importantly, it is not a national test. Grammar schools select pupils on academic ability, and each school, or a local authority or group of schools working together, decides which subjects to test and the balance of question types. You register for the test directly with them, and registration usually closes during Year 5, so check the deadline early.

  • Sat in Usually early in Year 6 (prepared in Year 5)
  • For Grammar school and many independent school places
  • Set by The school or local authority, so format varies by area
  • Main test provider GL Assessment, used by most grammar schools
  • Results Admission authorities must try to tell parents before the 31 October application deadline
  • A pass is not a place Offers come on National Offer Day, 1 March

The four question types

Most 11+ tests draw on up to four areas. Some areas test all four; others focus on maths and English, or maths and reasoning. Always check what your target school uses.

1. English: comprehension (reading a passage and answering questions), plus spelling, punctuation, grammar and vocabulary. Some schools also set a creative writing task.

2. Maths: number, fractions, ratio, measures, geometry and problem-solving, broadly in line with the KS2 curriculum but often faster-paced and trickier.

3. Verbal Reasoning (VR): problem-solving with words and letters, such as synonyms and antonyms, analogies, letter sequences, word codes, hidden words and logic. It rewards a strong vocabulary and clear thinking.

4. Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR): problem-solving with shapes and patterns, such as sequences, rotations, reflections, odd-one-out, and spatial questions like nets of 3D shapes. It tests how a child reasons visually, independent of language.

VR and NVR are the two that most often catch families out, because children rarely meet these question styles at primary school. GL Assessment itself points out that its free familiarisation materials are particularly useful for reasoning tests for exactly this reason.

Make VR and NVR feel familiar. PassNova's free 11+ Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning courses cover the common question types, with a worked explanation on every answer so your child learns the trick behind each style. No sign-up needed.

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GL Assessment, CEM and other test providers

Parents often hear "GL" and "CEM" and wonder which one their child will face.

  • GL Assessment says its 11+ tests are used by the majority of grammar schools. Even so, the local authority or school chooses which subjects to include, so two GL areas can set quite different tests. GL publishes 10 hours of free familiarisation material, and its FAQ is clear that timings, topic mix and number of questions in your local test may differ from its practice papers.
  • Cambridge (formerly CEM): the Cambridge assessments some families still call "CEM" are now sold as Cambridge Select Insight, a digital entrance assessment covering numerical, verbal and non-verbal ability for entry into Years 7 to 10.
  • School-set papers: many independent schools, and some grammar schools, write their own tests or use other providers.

The practical takeaway is not to prepare for a brand, but for the subjects and format your target school actually lists on its admissions page.

The 11+ timeline for a September start in Year 7

  1. Year 5: research schools, read each school's admission arrangements, and note the registration deadline for the test.
  2. Early Year 6: your child sits the test. Dates are set locally.
  3. Before 31 October: the School Admissions Code requires admission authorities to take all reasonable steps to tell parents the outcome of selection tests before the secondary application deadline, so you can make an informed choice.
  4. 31 October: deadline for your secondary school application to your local council. List the grammar school on this form; passing the test alone does not apply for a place.
  5. 1 March: National Offer Day, when you find out which school has offered a place.

Reaching the qualifying score does not guarantee a place. Popular grammar schools can have more qualifying children than places, and then their oversubscription criteria decide who is offered one.

How to prepare (and how much)

The 11+ rewards familiarity as much as ability. Children do far better when the question styles aren't a surprise on the day. The goal of preparation is to make the formats feel routine, not to drill for hours.

  • Start early and go gently: short, regular sessions across Year 5 beat last-minute cramming.
  • Build vocabulary: reading widely is the single best thing for both English and Verbal Reasoning.
  • Use the free official material first: if your area uses GL Assessment, its free familiarisation materials show the question styles your child may meet.
  • Practise each question type so none feels unfamiliar:
  • Work on timing last: once the question types are familiar, practise to the clock so the real exam pace feels normal.
  • Keep it kind: confidence and a good night's sleep matter as much as content. Stop before frustration sets in.

Cover all four areas in one place. PassNova's free 11+ courses span English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, so you can spot which area needs the most attention and build familiarity at your child's pace.

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Check the format for your area

Because the 11+ varies so much, the most important step is to confirm exactly what your target school tests and who provides the test. Your local authority and the school's admissions page will have the details, the registration deadline and the test date. If anything is unclear, GL Assessment's own advice is to contact the admissions department of the grammar school or local authority.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between verbal and non-verbal reasoning?

Verbal reasoning is problem-solving with words and letters, such as codes, analogies and hidden words. Non-verbal reasoning uses shapes, patterns and pictures instead, such as sequences, rotations and reflections, so it tests visual thinking independent of language.

Is the 11+ the same everywhere?

No. Each school or local authority decides which subjects are tested and the balance of question types. Some test all four areas, others only two or three, and independent schools often set their own papers.

Is CEM still used for the 11+?

The Cambridge assessments formerly branded CEM are now offered as Cambridge Select Insight. Check your target school's admissions page to see which provider and format it currently uses rather than relying on older guides.

Does passing the 11+ guarantee a grammar school place?

No. Reaching the qualifying score makes your child eligible, but you still need to name the school on your secondary application by 31 October, and places are allocated using the school's oversubscription criteria. Offers are made on 1 March.

When will we get the 11+ result?

Admission authorities must take all reasonable steps to tell parents the outcome of selection tests before the 31 October application deadline, so you can decide whether to list the school.

How long should my child prepare for the 11+?

There is no official answer. Many families spread gentle practice across Year 5 so the question types become familiar without pressure. Short, regular sessions are more useful than long ones.

One point of clarity: PassNova is a free practice site and is not affiliated with GL Assessment, Cambridge or any school. Details in this article come from GL Assessment, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, the School Admissions Code and GOV.UK, and were checked in September 2026. Always confirm dates and format with your target school.

Planning the year ahead? Our 11+ preparation guide covers how to structure practice across Year 5.