GL Assessment vs CEM: Understanding 11+ Exam Formats

Most UK 11+ exams are set by one of two providers: GL Assessment or CEM (now part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment). Which one your target grammar school or region uses meaningfully changes what "good preparation" looks like.

GL Assessment papers are typically split into separate, clearly labelled sections - Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning - each with its own timing. Question styles are relatively standardised and well-documented, which makes targeted practice by question type effective.

CEM-style exams (and their more recent successors) tend to blend subjects within a single paper, sometimes disguising a Maths question inside a wordy English-style stem, and place more weight on vocabulary and general reasoning speed under time pressure. Practising in the wrong format can build the wrong instincts.

If you're not sure which format your target school or region uses, it's worth checking directly with the school or local authority before choosing a preparation platform - and prioritising practice that matches the real format over generic "11+ style" content.