GL Assessment vs CEM 11+: What Every Parent Needs to Know
When parents first begin researching 11+ preparation, one of the most confusing elements is the existence of different exam formats. GL Assessment and CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) are the two main providers of 11+ tests used by grammar schools in England — and they are meaningfully different in format, style, and what they reward. Understanding which format your child will sit is the first step to effective preparation.
What is GL Assessment?
GL Assessment (Granada Learning) is the most widely used 11+ provider in England. Their papers test English (verbal reasoning and comprehension), Maths, and sometimes Non-Verbal Reasoning, in separate, clearly defined papers. Questions are typically multiple-choice with standardised formats, and each paper focuses on one subject area at a time.
GL Assessment is used by grammar schools in Kent, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, parts of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Gloucestershire, and a number of London boroughs including Bromley and Barnet.
What is CEM?
CEM tests are developed by the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring at Durham University and are designed to be more resistant to coaching than GL papers. CEM questions integrate verbal and numerical reasoning rather than separating them, and the format can vary from year to year, making it harder to predict exactly what will appear. The maths in CEM papers often appears embedded within verbal or reasoning contexts.
CEM is used in parts of the Midlands (including Birmingham, Warwickshire, and Wiltshire), parts of Northern England, and some schools in other regions.
Key Differences in Maths Content
- GL Maths — questions are clearly presented and test specific topics in a predictable format. Students who have thoroughly covered the syllabus and practised past papers will find GL Maths more manageable.
- CEM Numerical Reasoning — numerical questions appear within a verbal reasoning context, requiring students to read and process written information before applying maths. Speed and reading comprehension matter as much as calculation ability.
How Preparation Differs
For GL Assessment, preparation focuses on: systematic topic coverage across all areas of the syllabus, timed practice with GL-style multiple-choice papers, and building speed and accuracy on standard question types.
For CEM, preparation should additionally include: developing flexible thinking across combined verbal and numerical contexts, practising multi-step problems where the maths is embedded in text, and improving reading speed alongside mathematical fluency. CEM also places greater emphasis on non-routine questions, so problem-solving confidence is essential.
In our experience, students who have only prepared for one format can be genuinely caught off guard when they sit the other. We have seen well-drilled GL students struggle with CEM’s integrated format because they are accustomed to clearly delineated maths questions. Conversely, CEM-prepared students sometimes underperform on GL papers if they haven’t done enough straightforward topic practice. Tailoring preparation to the correct format — from the very beginning — is critical.
Which Format Will My Child Sit?
The exam format used depends on the specific school or consortium your child is applying to. You should check directly with each school, as the provider can occasionally change. As a general guide:
- GL Assessment: Kent, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Barnet, Bromley, most of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire
- CEM: Birmingham, Warwickshire, parts of Northern England, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire
- CSSE: Essex grammar schools (Colchester, Chelmsford, Southend area)
- School-specific papers: Many independent and super-selective grammar schools set their own bespoke papers (e.g. Tiffin, St Olave’s, Merchant Taylors’)
At Singapore Maths Academy, we tailor our 11+ Maths preparation to the specific exam format your child will sit. Contact us to discuss your child’s target schools and we can advise on the right preparation approach.