Key update (2023): CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) withdrew from paper-based 11+ entrance tests from September 2023. Grammar schools that previously used CEM have since moved to GL Assessment. GL now covers around 80% of grammar school entry tests in England. If your child is sitting the 11+ now or in the next few years, they will almost certainly be sitting a GL Assessment paper - unless they're applying to CSSE schools in Essex, SET schools in Surrey, or independent schools using ISEB.
This page covers what the GL vs CEM difference meant historically, because many parents still search for it and it's worth understanding what changed. But for current preparation purposes: GL is the one to focus on.
Why CEM withdrew
CEM (part of Durham University) designed its papers to be less predictable and less "coachable" than GL - subjects were combined in a single sitting, question styles shifted year to year, and there was no published list of types. The idea was to test underlying reasoning rather than rewarding drilling specific formats.
Despite this aim, a large tutoring industry grew up around CEM preparation. By 2023 CEM had stepped back from the paper-based 11+ market. The areas that had used CEM - including Birmingham, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, and parts of the north of England - largely moved to GL or in some cases adopted their own formats.
What GL Assessment tests (the current standard)
GL papers are structured and well-documented. Your child sits separate papers for each subject - Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning - each with clearly defined question types that stay consistent year to year.
GL Verbal Reasoning alone has around 21 distinct question types, including letter codes, hidden words, analogies, and number series. Work through each type and there aren't many surprises left on the day.
What the former CEM format tested (historical reference)
CEM was deliberately less predictable. Subjects were combined within a single sitting - Verbal Reasoning and English comprehension could appear together, Numerical Reasoning and Maths were often blended - and question styles shifted from year to year. There was no published list of types.
CEM placed heavy emphasis on reading speed and comprehension. Kids who read widely tended to have a real advantage. Papers were timed more tightly than GL.
Which format applies now?
- GL Assessment: the default for most grammar schools across England, including Kent, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, and most areas that previously used CEM.
- CSSE: Essex and parts of Hertfordshire use their own consortium format.
- SET: Sutton and Kingston selective schools use the Selective Eligibility Test.
- ISEB: many independent schools use ISEB Common Pre-Tests, often sat online in Year 6.
Check the admissions page of every target school before buying a single practice book. The format directly affects how you should prepare.
| Feature | GL Assessment (current) | CEM (historical - withdrawn 2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Paper structure | Separate papers per subject | Combined mixed papers |
| Question types | Fixed, published formats | Variable, unpredictable |
| Verbal Reasoning | 21 defined question types | Blended with English |
| Maths | Standalone arithmetic and problem-solving | Blended numerical reasoning |
| Reading emphasis | Moderate | High (speed matters) |
| Predictability | High (consistent year to year) | Lower (format can shift) |
How to prepare for GL
Systematic coverage is the approach. Work through each of the 21 Verbal Reasoning types until your child recognises them on sight - that recognition alone saves real time in the exam. For Maths, GL covers the KS2 curriculum thoroughly, so gaps in core numeracy will show. NVR is genuinely improvable quickly; children who haven't done much of it often see fast gains in the early weeks.
If you're targeting CSSE, SET or ISEB, check the specific school's admissions page for format details - these boards each have their own structure. PipPrep covers all of them, matched to your specific school.