What exactly is the 11+?
Essentially it does not matter which exam board’s exam your child is going to take because they all assess the same things: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
State School Entrance Exams
The two most common boards for the 11+ are CEM (Centre of Evaluation and Monitoring, Durham University) and GL (Granada Learning).
Non-verbal Reasoning (NVR)
NVR is problem-solving using diagrams and pictures. It tests a child’s ability to analyse visual information. Strength in shapes and measures is useful, particularly in the questions about symmetry, reflection and rotation. Other examples of typical NVR questions are:
- Working out the odd one out in a group of images
- Working out what a shape would look like when folded
- Identifying the mirror image of a shape
- Figuring out the next shape in a sequence
- Finding identical shapes in a group of shapes
- Identifying what shapes look like when rotated
- Identifying which 2D net can be folded to make a cube
- Identifying a 2D plan for a 3D shape.
- Identifying how a punched piece of paper will look after folding or opening
Verbal Reasoning (VR)
This like NVR is a test of skill not a test of learned knowledge. Verbal reasoning requires children to problem-solve with words and letters. It tests a child’s critical thinking skills and ability to problem solve. A wide vocabulary is a plus with this paper along with the knowledge of synonyms and antonyms. Some question type examples are:
- Spotting letter sequences
- Finding synonyms or antonyms
- Cracking codes based on letters and numbers
- Following written instructions
- Spotting words within words
- Finding a letter to complete two other words
- Identifying an additional word in a shuffled sentence
- Rearranging words to make a meaningful sentence
GL Assessment
English Paper: roughly 50 questions in 50 minutes
The English paper includes reading comprehension as well as spelling, punctuation, and grammar SPaG questions. There’s normally a “word choice” section (i.e. selecting the most appropriate word to go in a sentence) to finish.
Reading comprehension involves a passage (which could be fiction or nonfiction) followed by questions to assess deduction, inference and vocabulary knowledge and abilities. SPaG questions may ask students to complete sentences or spot mistakes like spelling, capital letters or missing punctuation.
Maths Paper: roughly 50 questions in 50 minutes
The Maths paper covers topics your child will have studied in maths at school like number, measurement, data and geometry. The better your child is at rapid recall of number facts and proficiency in problem-solving are key to success.
Verbal Reasoning Paper: roughly 80 questions in 60 minutes
Verbal Reasoning tests a child’s ability to manipulate and understand verbal information, requiring a broad vocabulary and strong logical reasoning skills. This section often includes questions on synonyms, antonyms and logical sequences.
Verbal reasoning papers test problem-solving skills and the ability to identify patterns as well as the rules and meaning of language.
Non-Verbal Reasoning Paper: roughly 80 questions in 60 minutes
Non-Verbal Reasoning assesses problem-solving ability and spatial awareness. Students must identify patterns and rules in visual sequences. Papers are split into multiple timed sections, with children moving onto each section together.
Adaptations to GL
The Kent test, provided by GL Assessment, consists of two multiple-choice papers, each lasting one hour. The first paper evaluates the candidate’s proficiency in English and maths, with questions based on the Key Stage 2 national curriculum. The second paper focuses on verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and spatial reasoning – subjects that may be unfamiliar to students, as they are not typically taught in schools.
The West Midlands Grammar Schools assessment comprises two papers, each lasting one hour. The papers are further split into separate sections, with each section having its own allocated time limit.
CEM Assessment
These are more aligned to the National Curriculum. They do not have a set format and can change from year to year or between schools. Papers can contain a mix of questions and subjects within one exam. Typically, one 11+ paper combines English and Verbal Reasoning skills, whilst a second paper would test children on Maths and Non-Verbal reasoning. Depending on the specific school or region, Standard Format, Multiple Choice, or a combination of both may be used in one exam and this may change year on year.
CEM papers also tend to contain small, timed sections. Each section might involve a different subject; for example, a paper could move from Maths questions to Problem Solving and Logic type questions. Each section is timed tightly and children will not be allowed to return to previous sections. Good time management is key to success in the CEM 11+ exams. There are often more questions than can be answered in the time limit so children often do not complete the whole paper.
To be successful in the CEM exam, your child will need to show strength in the following areas:
Maths
English – general skills
Comprehension
Vocabulary – this will need to be particularly strong and wide-ranging
Spelling
However, in late 2022 CEM announced their tests would now be completed online.
CSSE 11+
The CSSE 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:
- English
- Maths
The CSSE 11 plus exam is divided into two separate papers, each lasting approximately one hour.
The English paper evaluates the candidate’s reading comprehension skills and creative writing.
The Maths paper assesses the student’s proficiency in mathematical concepts and problem-solving skills. All the questions are based on the Key Stage 2 Maths curriculum.
SSET (Sutton Selective Eligibility Test)
The exam comprises two distinct papers, each focusing on essential subjects: English and Maths.
The English paper is divided into four sections, which include spelling and reading comprehension.
The Maths paper covers various Key Stage 2 maths topics, such as number and place value, the four fundamental operations, fractions, decimals, percentages, measurement, geometry, and statistics.
FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise)
The FSCE 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:
- English
- Maths
- Creative Writing
The English paper assesses the applicant’s reading comprehension, vocabulary, and ability to identify missing letters.
The Maths paper covers core topics from the Key Stage 2 Maths curriculum.
The Creative Writing paper asks the student to create a piece of writing based on a given prompt.
London 11+ Consortium
This exam is 1 hour and 40 minutes long with a 30 minute break in the middle. There are five sections:
- Maths (20 minutes)
- Non-Verbal reasoning (10 minutes)
- English comprehension and Verbal reasoning (30 minutes)
- BREAK (30 minutes)
- Problem solving (15 minutes)
- Analysis component (25 minutes)
Independent School Entrance Exams
Many independent schools set their own entrance exams- this is to make their exams unique.
ISEB Pre-test (Independent School’s Exam Board)
The tests contain Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning sections and take 2 hours 15 minutes to complete.
- English – 40 minutes (including time to read the comprehension passage).
- Maths – 40 minutes.
- Verbal Reasoning – 25 minutes.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning – 30 minutes.
There aren’t huge differences between the exam boards and school entrance tests. Fundamentally they all assess similar topics and curriculum areas. Some have more familiarisation materials than others. Some exams are written, some use multiple choice and others are completed on a computer.