One of the most important questions every family preparing for the 11 plus needs to answer before spending a single hour on revision is this: which 11+ Exam Board does your target school actually use? It sounds like a simple administrative detail, but it is genuinely one of the most consequential pieces of information in the entire preparation process.
Think about it this way. The 11+ Exam Board your area uses is not just a small administrative detail you can look up later and forget about. It shapes every single decision you make about your child’s preparation. Which subjects they spend their evenings revising. Which practice papers you buy. How you structure their weekends in the months leading up to September. All of it flows from this one piece of information.
Get it right and your child walks into that exam room having practised in a format that feels completely familiar. Get it wrong and they could spend months working incredibly hard on the wrong thing entirely, and not realise it until it is too late to change course.
The truth about the 11+ Exam Board picture across England is that it is genuinely complicated, and no one tells you this at the start. There is no government letter that arrives in Year 4 explaining which exam your child will sit and what it covers. There is no single national 11 plus. What exists instead is a patchwork of regional arrangements, individual school decisions, and competing providers, each doing things slightly differently.
Grammar schools in Kent do things differently from grammar schools in Birmingham. Schools in Trafford use a different format from schools in Essex. And in a city like London, two grammar schools in neighbouring boroughs can use entirely different systems with no obvious reason why.
The gap between these providers is not trivial either. Preparing your child for the wrong format is not like turning up to a football match wearing the wrong colour shirt. It is more like training for a marathon and then being entered into a swimming race. The fitness is there. The effort was real. But the specific skills the day demands are simply not what was practised.
This guide gives you a clear, complete, region-by-region picture of which exam boards are used where, what each one tests, how they differ, and what this means for your child’s preparation. By the time you finish reading, you will know exactly what your child is preparing for and why that matters so deeply.
Understanding the Two Main 11+ Exam Boards and Why the Difference Between Them Is So Important
The vast majority of 11 plus exams across England are administered by one of two providers. Understanding these two providers and the GL Assessment vs CEM difference is the foundation of intelligent preparation.
The two main providers are GL Assessment and CEM, which stands for the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring, based at Durham University. Both provide standardised assessments designed to measure academic potential. But they do so in very different ways, and these differences have significant practical implications for how children need to prepare.
The CEM vs GL Assessment 11 plus distinction is not just a matter of branding. It is a genuine structural and pedagogical difference that affects the content of preparation, the type of practice materials that are useful, and the exam techniques your child needs to develop.
Here is a clear summary of the key differences.
GL Assessment produces separate papers for each subject area. A child sitting a GL-format exam will typically sit a dedicated maths paper, a dedicated English paper, a dedicated verbal reasoning paper, and a dedicated non-verbal reasoning paper. Each paper has a consistent, predictable structure that is well-documented and well-supported by published preparation materials.
CEM produces blended papers that combine subjects. Rather than separate papers for each area, CEM typically delivers a combined verbal paper that blends English and verbal reasoning, and a combined numerical paper that blends maths and numerical reasoning. The questions within each CEM paper are deliberately mixed and unpredictable, which is an intentional design choice aimed at reducing the advantage of narrow, formulaic coaching.
Understanding the GL Assessment vs CEM difference before beginning preparation is not optional. It is the first research task every family should complete.
Which Areas Use GL Assessment and What Families in Those Regions Need to Know
GL Assessment regions UK cover a substantial portion of the grammar school areas in England. GL Assessment is the more widely used of the two main providers, and it supplies the exam format used by several of the largest and most well-known selective school areas in the country.
Here is a breakdown of the regions and areas where GL Assessment is the primary provider.
Kent
Kent is one of the most significant GL Assessment regions UK because it is one of the few remaining fully selective counties in England. The Kent Test, which is the examination sat by all children applying to Kent grammar schools, uses GL Assessment format papers.
The Kent Test GL Assessment connection is important for preparation because it means families targeting Kent grammar schools should focus specifically on GL-format practice papers rather than general maths and English revision. The Kent Test covers verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and writing or English depending on the specific area within the county.
The Kent Test GL Assessment also uses a standardised scoring system that adjusts raw marks to account for age differences between children born at different points in the academic year.
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is another significant GL Assessment regions UK area. The Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test, which determines eligibility for grammar schools across the county, uses GL Assessment format and covers verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and English and numerical reasoning.
The Buckinghamshire 11 plus exam board uses GL Assessment in a slightly different configuration from some other areas, with a particular emphasis on the speed and accuracy required across all question types. Families targeting Buckinghamshire grammar schools should ensure their preparation includes authentic GL-format timed practice papers rather than generic revision materials.
The Buckinghamshire 11 plus exam board results in a standardised score that is used to determine whether a child qualifies for selective education in the county. Buckinghamshire is a fully selective authority, which means the stakes of this exam are particularly high for families in the area.
Essex
Essex operates its grammar school selection through the CSSE, which is the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex. The CSSE exam Essex uses a format based on GL Assessment papers, covering verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning in most areas of the county.
The CSSE exam Essex is sat in September of Year 6 and results are released in October. Registration for the CSSE exam Essex opens in the spring, typically in May, and closes in late June or early July. Families in Essex who miss this registration window cannot sit the CSSE exam in that admissions cycle.
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire selective schools also use GL Assessment format papers. The exam covers verbal reasoning and numerical reasoning, and results determine eligibility for the county’s grammar schools. Registration timelines in Hertfordshire follow a similar pattern to Kent and Essex.
Lincolnshire
Several grammar schools in Lincolnshire use GL Assessment format papers for their entrance examinations. Families targeting Lincolnshire grammar schools should confirm the specific format with each individual school, as some schools may have made changes to their admissions arrangements.
Bexley
The selective schools in the London Borough of Bexley use GL Assessment format papers for their entrance examinations. The 11 plus exam board by area picture for London is complex because different boroughs use different providers, but Bexley is clearly within the GL Assessment camp.
Sutton
The SET exam Sutton, which is the Selective Eligibility Test used by grammar schools in the London Borough of Sutton, also uses GL Assessment format. The SET exam Sutton is sat at individual schools rather than at a centralised test centre, and registration is completed through the individual schools’ admissions processes.
Which Areas Use CEM 11 Plus and What Makes CEM Different in Practice
Which areas use CEM 11 plus is a question that matters just as much as knowing which areas use GL Assessment. CEM is the primary provider in several significant grammar school areas, and the preparation approach for CEM needs to be genuinely different from GL preparation.
Here is which areas use CEM 11 plus in England.
Birmingham
The 11 plus test format Birmingham picture is complex because Birmingham is not a unified selective authority. Individual grammar schools in Birmingham make their own admissions arrangements. However, several of the most prestigious Birmingham grammar schools, including some of the King Edward’s Foundation schools, have historically used CEM format papers.
The 11 plus test format Birmingham varies by school group, which means families applying to Birmingham grammar schools absolutely must research each specific school rather than assuming a uniform approach. Some Birmingham schools use CEM. Others use their own bespoke papers. A small number have used GL Assessment at various points. Always verify directly with each school’s admissions team.
Trafford
The Trafford 11 plus exam format uses CEM papers for the centralised Trafford grammar school test. This is one of the clearest examples of which areas use CEM 11 plus in the north of England. The Trafford grammar schools, which include several highly regarded selective schools in Greater Manchester, all participate in the centralised Trafford testing process using CEM format papers.
The Trafford 11 plus exam format covers verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning in a blended format that reflects CEM’s approach of mixing question types within papers rather than separating them by subject.
Durham and Tees Valley
Grammar schools in County Durham and the Tees Valley area use CEM papers. CEM is based at Durham University, which reflects the historical connection between the provider and this area.
Wiltshire
Grammar schools in Wiltshire have used CEM format papers. Families in Wiltshire targeting selective schools should confirm the current arrangement with each specific school, as arrangements can occasionally change.
Parts of Yorkshire
Several grammar schools in West Yorkshire and other parts of the county have used CEM format papers. The which areas use CEM 11 plus picture in Yorkshire is not uniform, however, with some schools using GL Assessment or their own arrangements. Specific school research is essential.
Northern Ireland
Grammar schools in Northern Ireland use GL Assessment papers, not CEM, which is worth noting for families who may be researching the broader UK picture.
The Practical Difference Between GL and CEM for Your Child’s Preparation
Understanding which 11 plus exam board your area uses is one thing. Understanding what that actually means for how your child should prepare is something else, and it is the more important question.
Here is the practical GL Assessment vs CEM difference in terms of preparation strategy.
GL Assessment Preparation
Because GL Assessment tests each subject in a separate, dedicated paper with a consistent and documented format, preparation can be highly systematic and targeted. Children can work through verbal reasoning question types one at a time, master each type before moving to the next, and build up to full timed paper sittings gradually and methodically.
The 11 plus verbal reasoning non-verbal reasoning exam board content in GL papers is clearly defined. There are recognised question types, and they appear in a predictable format within each paper. Published preparation books, including the widely used CGP and Bond series, cover GL format comprehensively and accurately.
CEM Preparation
CEM preparation is necessarily less formulaic. Because CEM deliberately mixes question types and blends subjects within papers, and because the format is intentionally variable, children preparing for CEM need a broader, more flexible preparation approach.
Rather than drilling specific question types in isolation, CEM preparation benefits more from wide reading, general vocabulary development, mathematical fluency across a broad range of topics, and regular practice with blended papers that require switching rapidly between different types of thinking.
The 11 plus English maths verbal reasoning by region content in CEM exams is tested in a less predictable sequence than in GL papers. Children who have only practised one type of question at a time and never experienced the blended format may find CEM papers genuinely disorienting, even if they are confident in each individual skill.
A Region-by-Region Summary of 11 Plus Exam Boards Across England
For families who want a quick reference rather than the detailed breakdown above, here is a concise summary of the 11 plus exam structure by county across the main grammar school areas.
GL Assessment is used in:
Kent, using the Kent Test format that covers verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and writing or English. Buckinghamshire, using the Secondary Transfer Test. Essex, through the CSSE consortium covering verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Hertfordshire selective schools. Lincolnshire selective schools. The London Borough of Bexley. The London Borough of Sutton through the SET exam.
CEM is used in:
Several Birmingham grammar schools, though this varies by school group and must be verified individually. Trafford, through the centralised Trafford grammar school test. Durham and Tees Valley grammar schools. Parts of Wiltshire. Some grammar schools in Yorkshire, though this varies by school.
Independent and bespoke arrangements exist at:
Some King Edward’s Foundation schools in Birmingham, which may use their own assessment tools. Various independent grammar schools that set their own papers. ISEB schools, which use the Independent Schools Examination Board’s Common Pre-Test.
The grammar school exam board guide UK picture is genuinely complex, and this summary should always be supplemented by direct research with each specific school your child is applying to.
What to Do Once You Know Which Exam Board Your Area Uses
Once you have answered the question of what exam board does my area use 11 plus, the next step is translating that information into a practical preparation plan. Here is how to do that efficiently and effectively.
For GL Assessment areas
Confirm which of the four subjects, Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning, are tested at your specific target school. Not all GL schools test all four subjects. Some test only verbal reasoning and numerical reasoning. Some add English comprehension. Some include non-verbal reasoning. Knowing exactly which subjects are tested means you can focus preparation appropriately.
Source GL format practice papers specifically. CGP and Bond both publish GL-format papers that are widely regarded as the best preparation materials for GL schools. Online platforms that offer GL-format digital practice are also a useful supplement.
Build a systematic preparation plan that covers each subject area methodically, starting with topic-specific practice and progressing to full timed mock papers in the final three to four months before the exam.
For CEM areas
Focus early preparation on broad skill development rather than narrow question-type drilling. Wide reading, mental arithmetic fluency, and regular vocabulary building are particularly important for CEM preparation.
Use CEM-specific practice materials rather than generic or GL-format papers. Several publishers now produce CEM-aligned practice books, and there are online platforms that offer CEM-format digital practice.
Introduce blended practice papers early so that your child becomes comfortable switching between different types of questions within a single sitting. This is the most important CEM-specific preparation habit to build.
How to Research Your Specific School’s Exam Board Arrangements
The 11 plus exam format by region information in this guide gives you a strong starting framework. But for the most accurate and up-to-date information about your specific target school, there is no substitute for direct research.
Here is the most reliable way to find out which 11 plus exam board your specific target school uses.
Visit the school’s official admissions page. The admissions policy document, which schools are legally required to publish by 15 March of the year before the relevant September entry, will specify the assessment used, including the provider if applicable.
Look specifically for the terms GL Assessment, CEM, CSSE, SET, or the name of any other specific test. If the document mentions standardised scores or age-standardised results, it is almost certainly using either GL Assessment or CEM.
Contact the school’s admissions team directly if the admissions policy document does not make the exam format clear. A brief email or phone call asking which provider’s papers the school uses is entirely appropriate and will almost always produce a clear answer.
Check with your local authority’s admissions guidance. In centralised areas like Kent, Buckinghamshire, Essex, and Trafford, the local authority publishes comprehensive information about the exam format used across all schools in their area.
Join parent forums and community groups specific to your target school or area. The Mumsnet 11 Plus Forum, The 11 Plus Forum, and various Facebook groups dedicated to specific grammar school areas are excellent sources of current, detailed information from parents who have recently been through the process.
Common Mistakes Families Make When They Do Not Know Their Exam Board
The consequences of not knowing which 11 plus exam board your area uses before beginning preparation are more serious than many parents initially appreciate. Here are the most common mistakes that result from this knowledge gap.
Purchasing GL-format books and practice papers when your school uses CEM. This results in months of preparation that is structured in a way that does not reflect the real exam. The content may be broadly relevant, but the format, pacing, and blending of subjects will be wrong.
Practising verbal reasoning question types in isolation when the real exam blends them with comprehension and other English skills in a single paper. This is a CEM-specific trap that affects many children from GL-heavy areas who move to or apply in CEM areas.
Assuming that because a school is in the same city as another school with a known exam board, both schools use the same format. Birmingham is the clearest example of this mistake. Schools within the same city can use entirely different formats.
Not preparing for non-verbal reasoning at all because non-verbal reasoning is not included in some exam formats. The 11 plus exam board by area information for your specific school will tell you whether non-verbal reasoning is tested. Omitting it from preparation when it is tested is a costly error.
How Quest for Exams Supports Families Regardless of Which Exam Board Their Area Uses
At Quest for Exams, we have built our platform to support children preparing for the 11+ Exam Board format used in any major grammar school area across the UK. Whether your child is preparing for GL Assessment, CEM, CSSE, SET, or a school-specific paper, we have the resources, the mock papers, and the structured preparation support to help them perform at their very best.
Here is what Quest for Exams provides for families across every major exam board region.
We offer full-length authentic mock papers in GL Assessment format covering all four subjects, Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with accurate question types, correct formatting, and appropriate timing. These papers are as close to the real GL exam experience as it is possible to get outside of the actual test.
Our topic-wise question banks are organised by subject and by question type, making it possible to target preparation precisely at the subjects and topics your specific target school tests. Whether your child needs to focus on verbal reasoning codes for a Kent Test, blended comprehension for a CEM paper, or non-verbal reasoning matrices for a Buckinghamshire test, we have the right resources.
We provide full timed mock exam sittings with immediate marking and detailed performance breakdowns, giving your child the regular practice under realistic conditions that is essential for building the speed, composure, and time management skills the real exam demands.
Our detailed mark schemes and full answer explanations cover every paper and question set, ensuring that every wrong answer produces genuine learning rather than just a score that gets noted and forgotten.
Our progress tracking tools show improvement across multiple mock sittings clearly and specifically, giving you the data to make intelligent preparation decisions throughout the weeks and months leading up to your specific exam date.
Our affordable bundle pricing makes comprehensive preparation accessible to every family, because we believe that every child who is capable of earning a grammar school place deserves the preparation resources to support that goal, regardless of budget.
Visit Quest for Exams today and explore the complete range of practice papers, mock exams, topic question banks, and parent resources. Knowing your 11+ Exam Board is the first step. Preparing thoroughly for it is the step that actually changes outcomes.
FAQs
How do I find out which 11+ exam board my target school uses?
The most reliable source is the school’s official admissions policy document, published on the school’s website. Look for the name of the assessment provider. If it is not clear, contact the school’s admissions team directly. In centralised areas like Kent, Buckinghamshire, Essex, and Trafford, the local authority website also provides clear information.
What is the main difference between GL Assessment and CEM?
GL Assessment tests each subject in a separate, dedicated paper with a predictable, consistent format. CEM blends subjects together in combined papers with deliberately mixed and less predictable question sequencing. The GL Assessment vs CEM difference affects preparation strategy significantly. GL preparation can be more systematic and topic-focused. CEM preparation benefits from broader, more flexible skill development.
Do all grammar schools in the same county use the same exam board?
In most centralised areas like Kent, Buckinghamshire, and Trafford, yes. In cities like Birmingham and in London, no. Individual schools in these areas can use different providers, and sometimes different school groups within the same city use entirely different formats.
Is CEM harder than GL Assessment?
Neither is inherently harder than the other. CEM is widely considered less predictable because of its blended format and intentional variability. GL Assessment is more formulaic, which can make it more responsive to systematic preparation. The difficulty of either exam depends significantly on how well the child has prepared for that specific format.
Which subjects does GL Assessment test?
A full GL Assessment 11 plus typically includes Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning as separate papers. However, not every GL school tests all four subjects. Some test only two or three. Always confirm the specific subjects tested by your target school.
Which subjects does CEM test?
CEM typically delivers a combined verbal paper blending English and verbal reasoning, and a combined numerical paper blending maths and numerical reasoning. Non-verbal reasoning may or may not be included depending on the specific school’s arrangements.
Can my child practise for CEM using GL format papers?
GL format papers are useful for building broad subject knowledge, but they do not replicate the CEM exam experience accurately enough to serve as primary CEM preparation. Children preparing for CEM should use CEM-specific practice materials alongside broader subject revision.
Why does knowing the exam board matter so much for preparation?
It matters because the format of the exam determines which practice materials are useful, which question types need to be covered, and which preparation strategies are most effective. Preparing thoroughly for the wrong format can result in a child who has worked very hard but is genuinely underprepared for the specific exam they will actually sit.