One of the first questions parents ask when starting 11+ preparation is: "Which exam board does my child's school use?" The answer determines everything—from the question types your child will face to the best preparation strategy. Get this wrong, and you could spend months preparing for the wrong exam format.
This complete guide breaks down the differences between CEM and GL Assessment (the two dominant 11+ exam boards in the UK), helps you identify which your target schools use, and shows you how to prepare effectively—even if your child needs to sit both.
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CEM vs GL: Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | CEM | GL Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Used By | ~180 grammar schools (Bucks, Birmingham, Warwickshire) |
~1,000 grammar schools (Kent, London, Essex) |
| Papers | 2 papers (75 mins each) | 4 separate papers (50-60 mins each) |
| Subjects Tested | VR, NVR, Maths, English (mixed in each paper) | VR, NVR, Maths, English (separate papers) |
| Question Style | Rapid-fire, multiple-choice, shuffled topics | Topic-focused, traditional format |
| Difficulty | Higher (designed to reduce tutoring impact) | Moderate (more predictable) |
| Time Pressure | Very high (many students don't finish) | Moderate (most finish with time to check) |
| Answer Formats | All multiple choice | Multiple choice + written answers |
| Practice Materials | Limited (by design) | Extensive (official practice papers) |
| Can You Practice? | Yes, but adapted strategies needed | Yes, standard practice works well |
What is CEM?
CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) is based at Durham University and was specifically designed to create an 11+ exam that's harder to "tutor for." Their philosophy: test natural ability and problem-solving, not rote-learned techniques.
CEM Exam Structure
Paper 1 (75 minutes):
- Verbal reasoning
- Non-verbal reasoning
- English (comprehension, grammar)
Paper 2 (75 minutes):
- More verbal reasoning
- More non-verbal reasoning
- Numerical reasoning (maths)
Key characteristics:
- Topics are shuffled together (you might see VR, then NVR, then English, then back to VR within the same paper)
- Very time-pressured (designed so most children can't finish)
- Questions feature unfamiliar formats to prevent pattern recognition
- Heavy emphasis on reading comprehension within VR/NVR questions
- Standardized scoring (scaled based on difficulty)
What Makes CEM Harder?
- Unpredictability: Question formats change year-to-year to prevent "teaching to the test"
- Speed: On average, 25-30 seconds per question—less time than GL
- Topic mixing: Children can't settle into a rhythm; constant mental switching required
- Reading-heavy: Even maths questions are embedded in wordy scenarios
- Limited practice materials: CEM doesn't release official past papers
"My son found GL practice papers fairly straightforward, but when we tried CEM-style questions, he struggled. The pace is relentless and you never know what question type is coming next. KidSmart's adaptive CEM practice was the only thing that prepared him for the real thing."
— Helen K., Buckinghamshire
What is GL Assessment?
GL Assessment is a commercial testing company that produces the majority of 11+ exams in the UK. Their tests are more traditional and predictable than CEM.
GL Exam Structure
GL offers modular papers that schools can mix and match:
Typical format for grammar schools:
- Paper 1: English (50-60 minutes) - comprehension, grammar, spelling, punctuation
- Paper 2: Maths (50-60 minutes) - arithmetic, problem-solving, word problems
- Paper 3: Verbal Reasoning (50-60 minutes) - word relationships, codes, sequences
- Paper 4: Non-Verbal Reasoning (50-60 minutes) - shapes, patterns, spatial reasoning
Key characteristics:
- Each paper tests one subject only (no topic mixing)
- Standard multiple choice + some written answers
- Official past papers available
- Predictable question formats (same types appear yearly)
- More generous time limits (most children finish)
- Age-standardized scoring
What Makes GL More Accessible?
- Predictability: Question types are consistent year-to-year
- Single-focus papers: Children can settle into each subject for 50+ minutes
- Practice-friendly: Official past papers let you know exactly what to expect
- Technique-responsive: Tutoring and practice have proven impact
- Reasonable pace: Most children finish with 5-10 minutes to spare
Which Exam Board Do Popular Grammar Schools Use?
CEM Schools (Examples)
- Buckinghamshire: All grammar schools (Dr Challoner's, Aylesbury High, Royal Grammar School)
- Birmingham: All grammar schools (King Edward's, Sutton Coldfield Grammar)
- Warwickshire: Lawrence Sheriff School, Stratford Girls' Grammar
- Gloucestershire: Some grammar schools
- Northern Ireland: AQE (similar to CEM)
GL Assessment Schools (Examples)
- Kent: All grammar schools (Tonbridge, Maidstone, Dartford)
- London: Most selective schools (Latymer, Tiffin, Queen Elizabeth's)
- Essex: Chelmsford County High, Colchester Grammar
- Surrey: Nonsuch High, Wallington Grammar
- Trafford: Altrincham Grammar, Sale Grammar
How to find out which your school uses:
- Check the school's admissions page
- Call the school office directly
- Look at sample 11+ papers on their website
- Use KidSmart's school lookup tool (select your county → see which exam board)
Find Out Which Exam Board Your Target Schools Use
Search 180+ UK grammar schools. See exam board, pass rates, and preparation recommendations.
CEM vs GL: Which is Harder?
Short answer: CEM is generally harder.
Why CEM is harder:
- Time pressure: 25-30 seconds per question vs 35-45 seconds for GL
- Unpredictable formats: Question types change yearly
- Mental stamina: Constant topic-switching is exhausting
- Reading volume: Even simple maths questions are wrapped in paragraphs of text
- Tutoring-resistant design: Deliberately avoids teachable patterns
However, difficulty is relative:
- Children who are naturally fast readers often prefer CEM
- Children who excel at pattern recognition may find GL harder (more questions testing this skill)
- Children who struggle with focus find GL's single-subject papers easier to manage
Pass rates suggest CEM is more selective:
- Average CEM school pass rate: 15-20% of test-takers
- Average GL school pass rate: 20-30% of test-takers
How to Prepare for CEM
1. Build Speed from Day One
Time pressure is CEM's biggest weapon. Start with untimed practice to build accuracy, then gradually reduce time limits. By exam day, your child should comfortably answer CEM-style questions in 20-25 seconds.
2. Practice Topic Switching
Don't do 30 VR questions in a row. Instead: 5 VR → 3 NVR → 4 English → 5 Maths → 3 VR... This trains the brain to switch gears rapidly.
3. Develop Skimming Skills
CEM questions are wordy. Teach your child to skim for key information rather than reading every word. Highlight keywords like "NOT," "ALWAYS," "EXCEPT."
4. Use CEM-Specific Resources
Standard GL practice books won't prepare your child for CEM. You need:
- CEM-style practice papers (harder to find, but essential)
- Adaptive platforms that replicate CEM's unpredictability
- Timed mixed-topic tests
5. Focus on Weak Spots
Because you can't finish every question, your child needs to maximize points on their strong topics and intelligently skip their weak ones. Use practice tests to identify which question types they should always attempt vs. which to skip if time is tight.
How to Prepare for GL
1. Master Question Types Systematically
GL is predictable. Work through each question type until your child can answer 90%+ correctly:
- VR: Synonyms, antonyms, analogies, letter codes
- NVR: Rotations, reflections, series, matrices
- Maths: Fractions, percentages, ratios, algebra, geometry
- English: Comprehension, grammar, spelling, punctuation
2. Use Official GL Practice Papers
GL Assessment publishes official practice books. Use these extensively—they're the most accurate representation of the real exam.
3. Build Exam Stamina
GL exams total 3-4 hours of testing. Your child needs to practice sitting through full-length mock exams without breaks (except those given in the real exam).
4. Refine Written Answers
Unlike CEM (all multiple choice), GL includes written responses, especially in English. Practice:
- Writing concise, accurate answers to comprehension questions
- Spelling correctly under time pressure
- Showing working for maths calculations
5. Perfect Time Management
Most children finish GL papers early. Teach your child to:
- Complete every question (no blanks)
- Reserve 5-10 minutes to check answers
- Flag difficult questions and return to them at the end
What if Your Child Needs Both CEM and GL?
Many families apply to schools using different exam boards. For example, a child in Hertfordshire might apply to both GL schools (most of Hertfordshire) and CEM schools (nearby Buckinghamshire).
Strategy for Dual Preparation
- Start with GL (Months 6-4 before exams): Build foundational knowledge across all topics. GL's structure makes it easier to master individual subjects.
- Layer in CEM practice (Months 3-2 before exams): Once topics are mastered, add CEM-style speed and topic-mixing practice. This increases difficulty without introducing new content.
- Alternate mock exams (Final 2 months): Week 1: GL mock. Week 2: CEM mock. This keeps both formats fresh.
- Final 2 weeks: Focus on primary target: If one school is the clear first choice, dedicate the final fortnight to that exam board's format.
Good news: Children prepared for CEM usually find GL easier (not vice versa). CEM's higher difficulty means it's good training for any 11+ format.
Prepare for CEM and GL with KidSmart
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Common Questions About CEM vs GL
Can my child take both CEM and GL exams in the same year?
Yes, if the exam dates don't conflict. Most CEM schools test in September (Buckinghamshire, Birmingham), while many GL schools test in October-November. Check exact dates early as some overlap.
Are CEM or GL scores transferable between schools?
No. Each school requires you to sit their specific exam, even if it's the same exam board. The exception: some GL consortium schools share results.
Which exam board has better resources for practice?
GL has more official materials. CEM deliberately limits practice resources to reduce coaching impact. However, quality third-party providers offer excellent CEM-style practice.
Does my child need a tutor for CEM but not GL?
Not necessarily. CEM is designed to be "tutor-proof," but structured preparation (whether self-study or tutored) still helps significantly. The key for CEM is quality over quantity—focus on speed, adaptability, and intelligent skipping strategies rather than memorizing patterns.
What if we don't know which exam board yet?
Start with GL preparation. It builds the foundational knowledge needed for both. Once you know your target school's exam board, you can adapt your strategy. Most families discover their exam board 6-9 months before the test.
The KidSmart Advantage: Covering Both Exam Boards
KidSmart is one of the few platforms offering full coverage of both CEM and GL (plus SET for Southwest England):
- CEM-specific features: Mixed-topic practice, rapid-fire questions, unpredictable formats, advanced time pressure settings
- GL-specific features: Subject-focused mock exams, official GL question types, written answer practice
- Adaptive learning: Works for both formats—identifies weaknesses regardless of exam board
- School matcher: Enter your postcode → see which schools use CEM/GL → get customized prep plan
- Switch modes instantly: Preparing for both? Toggle between CEM and GL practice with one click
"We were applying to schools in both Kent (GL) and Buckinghamshire (CEM). Other platforms made us choose one or pay double for both. KidSmart covers everything in one subscription. My daughter passed both exams and we got into our first-choice school."
— Michael R., Hertfordshire
Key Takeaways
- CEM and GL are different exams requiring different preparation strategies
- CEM: Time-pressured, mixed-topic, unpredictable, harder to tutor for
- GL: Predictable, single-subject papers, extensive official resources
- Check your target school's exam board early (6+ months before exams)
- Dual preparation is possible and common—start with GL, layer in CEM
- Use resources specifically designed for your exam board (generic practice isn't enough)
- Speed and adaptability matter more for CEM; systematic mastery matters more for GL
- A platform covering both formats (like KidSmart) saves time and money
Ready to start preparing? KidSmart offers full CEM and GL coverage with adaptive learning that identifies gaps in either format. Start your free 7-day trial—no credit card required.