11+ Prep HubGL Assessment
The standard grammar-school 11+ across most of England.Who uses it: Most grammar consortia: Trafford (until 2027 entry), Kent, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Lincolnshire, Warwickshire, Birmingham, Bexley, Gloucestershire and more.
How it's satPaper
Answer formatMultiple choice on a separate answer sheet (a few regions use write-in "standard format")
Writing taskUsually none. Kent adds a 40-minute writing task used only in appeals; Medway scores a 60-minute task.
How hard it getsStretches beyond the Year-5 curriculum — top grammar papers expect Year-6+ work at speed, which is what our Hard band rehearses.
| Section | Content | Time |
|---|---|---|
| English | ~50 questions | ~50 min |
| Maths | ~50 questions | ~50 min |
| Verbal reasoning | ~80 questions | ~60 min |
| Non-verbal / spatial | 4 × 20 questions | ~60 min |
English — 3 question types
Reading comprehensionA fiction, non-fiction or poetry passage with questions on meaning, inference and vocabulary.
Spelling, punctuation & grammarSpot errors, complete sentences, choose correct punctuation.
VocabularySynonyms, antonyms and best-word-in-context questions.
Maths — 8 question types
Number & arithmeticThe four operations, place value, negatives, factors and primes.
Fractions, decimals & percentagesEquivalence, ordering and calculating with all three.
Ratio & proportionSharing, scaling and recipe problems.
AlgebraMissing numbers, simple equations and sequences.
MeasurementUnits, money, time, timetables and reading scales.
GeometryArea, perimeter, angles, symmetry, coordinates and shape properties.
StatisticsAverages, and reading charts, tables and graphs.
Word problemsMulti-step problems dressed in real situations.
Verbal reasoning — the 21 types — 21 question types
Insert a letterFind the one letter that finishes the first word and starts the second.
Two odd ones outFrom five words, spot the two that do not belong with the other three.
Closest meaningPick the two words, one from each group, that are closest in meaning.
Hidden wordA four-letter word is hidden across the end of one word and the start of the next.
Missing wordChoose the word that best completes the sentence.
Letters for numbersLetters stand for numbers; work out the answer to a sum written in letters.
Move a letterMove one letter from the first word to the second so both still make real words.
Letter seriesContinue a sequence of letters stepping through the alphabet.
Word connectionsComplete an analogy: big is to small as loud is to …
Number seriesFind the next number in a sequence by spotting the rule.
Compound wordsJoin two words to make one new, real word.
Make a wordBuild a new word following the same pattern as a worked example pair.
Letter connectionsComplete a letter analogy: AB is to CD as EF is to …
Number connectionsComplete a number analogy — find the rule linking the first pair.
Read and reasonA short logic puzzle solved purely from the information given.
Opposite meaningPick the two words that are most opposite in meaning.
Complete the sumFill in the missing number so both sides of the sum balance.
Related numbersThree number groups share a rule; find the missing number in the last group.
Word–number codesWords are written in number codes; crack the code to answer.
Complete the wordFind the missing letters that complete a word to match a clue.
Same meaningChoose the word that means the same as the two given words.
Non-verbal reasoning — the 12 types — 12 question types
Most unlikeFive figures — find the odd one out.
Most like (two figures)Which option belongs with the two example figures?
Most like (three figures)Which option belongs with the three example figures?
SeriesWhat comes next in a sequence of changing figures?
Extended seriesA longer sequence with two hidden boxes to work out.
Triangle seriesComplete the pattern arranged around triangles.
AnalogiesFirst figure is to second as third is to …
MatricesFill the empty square in a 2×2 or 3×3 grid of figures.
Similar trianglesComplete a pattern inside divided triangles.
Star matricesFind the missing piece of a six-pointed star pattern.
Horizontal codesFigures carry letter codes; decode the pattern to code a new figure.
Vertical codesAs horizontal codes, arranged vertically with two-letter codes.
Spatial reasoning — the 7 types — 7 question types
Hidden shapesFind the given shape hidden inside a busier figure.
Figure analysisPaper is folded and holes punched — what does it look like unfolded?
Cube netsWhich cube can be made by folding the flat net?
Block countingCount the blocks in a 3D stack, including the hidden ones.
Matching rotationWhich option is the same shape, just rotated?
JigsawChoose the piece that completes the shape.
Combining shapesWhat do the pieces make when joined together?
Recent changes: Absorbed most regions when CEM left the market in 2023. Trafford leaves GL for FSCE from 2028 entry.
ISEB Common Pre-Tests
The online adaptive test shared by 200+ independent schools.Who uses it: Most London independent day schools and boarding schools; sat once per year, results shared between every school applied to.
How it's satOnline, adaptive — questions get harder as your child answers well; no going back to change answers.
Answer formatMultiple choice only
Writing taskNone in the test itself — schools add their own second-stage essays and interviews.
How hard it getsCapped at the national curriculum to the end of Year 5 — the adaptive test gets harder by asking trickier questions within that range, not beyond it.
| Section | Content | Time |
|---|---|---|
| English | adaptive | 40 min |
| Maths (to end of Year 5) | adaptive | 40 min |
| Verbal reasoning | adaptive | 25 min |
| Non-verbal + spatial | adaptive | 30 min |
English — 4 question types
Reading comprehensionA fiction, non-fiction or poetry passage with questions on meaning, inference and vocabulary.
Spelling, punctuation & grammarSpot errors, complete sentences, choose correct punctuation.
VocabularySynonyms, antonyms and best-word-in-context questions.
Shuffled sentencesRearrange jumbled words into a correct sentence and spot the spare word — an ISEB speciality.
Maths — 8 question types
Number & arithmeticThe four operations, place value, negatives, factors and primes.
Fractions, decimals & percentagesEquivalence, ordering and calculating with all three.
Ratio & proportionSharing, scaling and recipe problems.
AlgebraMissing numbers, simple equations and sequences.
MeasurementUnits, money, time, timetables and reading scales.
GeometryArea, perimeter, angles, symmetry, coordinates and shape properties.
StatisticsAverages, and reading charts, tables and graphs.
Word problemsMulti-step problems dressed in real situations.
Verbal reasoning — 7 question types
Closest meaningPick the two words, one from each group, that are closest in meaning.
Hidden wordA four-letter word is hidden across the end of one word and the start of the next.
Missing wordChoose the word that best completes the sentence.
Word connectionsComplete an analogy: big is to small as loud is to …
Read and reasonA short logic puzzle solved purely from the information given.
Opposite meaningPick the two words that are most opposite in meaning.
Same meaningChoose the word that means the same as the two given words.
Non-verbal + spatial — 15 question types
Most unlikeFive figures — find the odd one out.
Most like (two figures)Which option belongs with the two example figures?
Most like (three figures)Which option belongs with the three example figures?
SeriesWhat comes next in a sequence of changing figures?
Extended seriesA longer sequence with two hidden boxes to work out.
Triangle seriesComplete the pattern arranged around triangles.
AnalogiesFirst figure is to second as third is to …
MatricesFill the empty square in a 2×2 or 3×3 grid of figures.
Hidden shapesFind the given shape hidden inside a busier figure.
Figure analysisPaper is folded and holes punched — what does it look like unfolded?
Cube netsWhich cube can be made by folding the flat net?
Block countingCount the blocks in a 3D stack, including the hidden ones.
Matching rotationWhich option is the same shape, just rotated?
JigsawChoose the piece that completes the shape.
Combining shapesWhat do the pieces make when joined together?
Recent changes: Format stable; sat between September and late May each admissions year.
FSCE (Future Stories)
The curriculum-based test replacing reasoning papers in a growing set of regions.Who uses it: Reading School, Chelmsford County High School for Girls, several North-West and Yorkshire grammars — and the five Trafford grammar schools from 2028 entry.
How it's satPaper
Answer formatA mix of multiple choice and write-in answers
Writing taskYes — creative writing is a core, scored section.
How hard it getsCurriculum-based: KS2 content to the end of Year 5 only — depth of understanding over acceleration.
| Section | Content | Time |
|---|---|---|
| English | incl. extended written answers | varies |
| Maths (KS2 to end of Year 5) | MC + write-in | varies |
| Creative writing | one task | scored |
English — 4 question types
Reading comprehensionA fiction, non-fiction or poetry passage with questions on meaning, inference and vocabulary.
Spelling, punctuation & grammarSpot errors, complete sentences, choose correct punctuation.
VocabularySynonyms, antonyms and best-word-in-context questions.
Extended writingA story, description or purposeful piece written by hand and marked by a person — never multiple choice.
Maths — 8 question types
Number & arithmeticThe four operations, place value, negatives, factors and primes.
Fractions, decimals & percentagesEquivalence, ordering and calculating with all three.
Ratio & proportionSharing, scaling and recipe problems.
AlgebraMissing numbers, simple equations and sequences.
MeasurementUnits, money, time, timetables and reading scales.
GeometryArea, perimeter, angles, symmetry, coordinates and shape properties.
StatisticsAverages, and reading charts, tables and graphs.
Word problemsMulti-step problems dressed in real situations.
Recent changes: From September 2025 papers may draw on wider Key Stage 2 subjects (science, geography, history…). Trafford joins from 2028 entry; from 2029 the Trafford test moves to the summer of Year 5.
CSSE (Essex)
The Essex grammar-school exam — written answers, not multiple choice.Who uses it: Essex grammar schools: KEGS Chelmsford, Colchester Royal, Colchester County High, Southend and Westcliff schools and more.
How it's satPaper
Answer formatWrite-in ("standard format") throughout
Writing taskYes — "continuous writing": two short tasks (one creative, one purposeful), about 20 minutes, worth 25% of the English paper.
How hard it getsKS2-based with genuine stretch at the top — the final questions on each paper are built to separate the strongest candidates.
| Section | Content | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 — English | comprehension + continuous writing | 60 min + 10 min reading |
| Paper 2 — Maths | write-in answers | 60 min |
English — 4 question types
Reading comprehensionA fiction, non-fiction or poetry passage with questions on meaning, inference and vocabulary.
Spelling, punctuation & grammarSpot errors, complete sentences, choose correct punctuation.
VocabularySynonyms, antonyms and best-word-in-context questions.
Extended writingA story, description or purposeful piece written by hand and marked by a person — never multiple choice.
Maths — 8 question types
Number & arithmeticThe four operations, place value, negatives, factors and primes.
Fractions, decimals & percentagesEquivalence, ordering and calculating with all three.
Ratio & proportionSharing, scaling and recipe problems.
AlgebraMissing numbers, simple equations and sequences.
MeasurementUnits, money, time, timetables and reading scales.
GeometryArea, perimeter, angles, symmetry, coordinates and shape properties.
StatisticsAverages, and reading charts, tables and graphs.
Word problemsMulti-step problems dressed in real situations.
Recent changes: Format refreshed in 2024 (English combined into one 60-minute paper).
CEM Select
The online successor to the old CEM 11+, now used by some independents.Who uses it: A set of independent schools — for example Cheadle Hulme School (alongside its own creative writing paper).
How it's satOnline, adaptive
Answer formatMultiple choice
Writing taskNot in CEM Select itself — schools that use it typically add their own handwritten piece.
How hard it getsAdaptive, within broadly Year 5–6 curriculum bounds.
| Section | Content | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Blended sections | English, VR, maths, NVR mixed | ~45–60 min total |
English + verbal — 3 question types
Reading comprehensionA fiction, non-fiction or poetry passage with questions on meaning, inference and vocabulary.
Spelling, punctuation & grammarSpot errors, complete sentences, choose correct punctuation.
VocabularySynonyms, antonyms and best-word-in-context questions.
Maths + non-verbal — 8 question types
Number & arithmeticThe four operations, place value, negatives, factors and primes.
Fractions, decimals & percentagesEquivalence, ordering and calculating with all three.
Ratio & proportionSharing, scaling and recipe problems.
AlgebraMissing numbers, simple equations and sequences.
MeasurementUnits, money, time, timetables and reading scales.
GeometryArea, perimeter, angles, symmetry, coordinates and shape properties.
StatisticsAverages, and reading charts, tables and graphs.
Word problemsMulti-step problems dressed in real situations.
Recent changes: CEM stopped setting grammar-school 11+ papers in 2023; CEM Select is its online continuation for independents.
London 11+ Consortium
One shared assessment for 12+ London independent girls’ schools — often called “the Quest test”.Who uses it: Channing, Francis Holland (both), Godolphin & Latymer, More House, Northwood College, Notting Hill & Ealing, Queen’s College, Queen’s Gate, St Helen’s, South Hampstead and others.
How it's satOnline bespoke test delivered by Quest Assessments (since 2022) — sat once and shared by every consortium school, which is why schools and parents usually just call it “the Quest test”. The first half is ADAPTIVE — questions get harder or easier with each answer, like the ISEB Pre-Test.
Answer formatMixed formats within one 100-minute test (30-minute break in the middle)
Writing taskNo traditional essay — an "analysis (creative comprehension)" module, plus a reference from the current school and an interview at each school.
How hard it getsMaths is capped at the Year-5 curriculum by design; the adaptive first half finds each child’s ceiling rather than assuming one.
| Section | Content | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Single test | maths · NVR · English & VR · puzzles & problem-solving · creative comprehension | 100 min |
English & verbal — 3 question types
Reading comprehensionA fiction, non-fiction or poetry passage with questions on meaning, inference and vocabulary.
Spelling, punctuation & grammarSpot errors, complete sentences, choose correct punctuation.
VocabularySynonyms, antonyms and best-word-in-context questions.
Maths — 8 question types
Number & arithmeticThe four operations, place value, negatives, factors and primes.
Fractions, decimals & percentagesEquivalence, ordering and calculating with all three.
Ratio & proportionSharing, scaling and recipe problems.
AlgebraMissing numbers, simple equations and sequences.
MeasurementUnits, money, time, timetables and reading scales.
GeometryArea, perimeter, angles, symmetry, coordinates and shape properties.
StatisticsAverages, and reading charts, tables and graphs.
Word problemsMulti-step problems dressed in real situations.
Non-verbal — 6 question types
Most unlikeFive figures — find the odd one out.
Most like (two figures)Which option belongs with the two example figures?
Most like (three figures)Which option belongs with the three example figures?
SeriesWhat comes next in a sequence of changing figures?
Extended seriesA longer sequence with two hidden boxes to work out.
Triangle seriesComplete the pattern arranged around triangles.
Recent changes: Deliberately tutor-resistant: cognitive style over drilled content since 2022.
School-specific papers
Schools that set their own exams — usually written answers plus an essay.Who uses it: Manchester Grammar School, Withington, Manchester High, Bolton School, Bury Grammar, Stockport Grammar and most independents outside London.
How it's satPaper, at the school
Answer formatMostly write-in
Writing taskVery commonly yes — e.g. MGS sets a creative task on its Assessment Day; Withington a 35-minute essay; Stockport Grammar 30 minutes with a choice of picture prompt or opening line.
How hard it getsVaries by school — the most competitive independents stretch well into Year-6+ territory, especially in maths and writing.
| Section | Content | Time |
|---|---|---|
| English | comprehension + writing | 45–75 min |
| Maths / arithmetic | write-in | 45–75 min |
| Reasoning | only at some schools | varies |
English — 4 question types
Reading comprehensionA fiction, non-fiction or poetry passage with questions on meaning, inference and vocabulary.
Spelling, punctuation & grammarSpot errors, complete sentences, choose correct punctuation.
VocabularySynonyms, antonyms and best-word-in-context questions.
Extended writingA story, description or purposeful piece written by hand and marked by a person — never multiple choice.
Maths — 8 question types
Number & arithmeticThe four operations, place value, negatives, factors and primes.
Fractions, decimals & percentagesEquivalence, ordering and calculating with all three.
Ratio & proportionSharing, scaling and recipe problems.
AlgebraMissing numbers, simple equations and sequences.
MeasurementUnits, money, time, timetables and reading scales.
GeometryArea, perimeter, angles, symmetry, coordinates and shape properties.
StatisticsAverages, and reading charts, tables and graphs.
Word problemsMulti-step problems dressed in real situations.
Recent changes: Each school tweaks its own papers year to year — always check the school’s admissions page (our school notes do).