The first question every parent should answer before buying a single practice book is: which exam board does my target school use? The two main providers — GL Assessment and CEM — produce fundamentally different papers. The correct answer to a GL-style question is not the same skill as being ready for a CEM paper, and resources designed for one do not transfer cleanly to the other.
This guide explains what each board is, how their papers differ across all four 11 Plus subjects, which areas of England use which board, how to verify which board applies to your specific school, and how that answer should shape your child’s entire preparation strategy. Every other guide on this site discusses GL and CEM differences at the subject level — this is the page that ties all of that together.
What GL Assessment and CEM Are
GL Assessment (formerly Granada Learning and before that NFER-Nelson) is a private education company that has produced standardised educational assessments in the UK for decades. Their 11 Plus papers have been the dominant format in English grammar school selection for most of the modern era. GL produces separate, standalone papers for each of the four 11 Plus subjects: Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) is a research centre based at Durham University. They entered the 11 Plus market as an alternative to GL after several local authorities sought a harder-to-tutor-for format. Their papers combine multiple subjects into a single timed session, use a wider variety of question formats, and deliberately withhold past papers and question type specifications to reduce the advantage of intensive coaching.
A third category: Own-paper schools
Some schools — particularly independent selective schools using the ISEB (Independent Schools Examination Board) Common Pre-Test, and a few grammar schools with consortia arrangements — set their own papers independently of both GL and CEM. Notable examples include the Sutton 11+ consortium (its own format), the CSSE (Essex selective schools using their own English and Maths papers), and ISEB schools which use a computerised test with adaptive questions. Always check directly: “GL or CEM?” is a useful starting question but not exhaustive.
| Feature | GL Assessment | CEM (Durham) |
|---|---|---|
| Founded by | Private education company (formerly NFER) | Durham University research centre |
| Paper structure | Separate paper per subject | Combined reasoning papers (subjects interleaved) |
| Question formats | Defined types, consistently structured across years | Varies year to year; format not published |
| Answer style | Multiple-choice throughout | Mix of multiple-choice and short written answers |
| Official past papers | Yes — GL publishes official practice materials | No — CEM does not release past papers |
| Preparability | High — question types are predictable and drillable | Lower — format unpredictability is intentional |
| Tutor-resistance | Lower (structured format responds to drilling) | Higher (designed to disadvantage format coaching) |
Format Comparison: All Four Subjects
The differences between GL and CEM are not uniform across subjects. Maths is more similar between boards than Verbal Reasoning; Non-Verbal Reasoning differs significantly in how it appears. Below is a subject-by-subject breakdown.
11 Plus Maths — GL vs CEM
Standalone Maths paper, approximately 45–50 minutes, 50–60 questions. All multiple-choice. Clear subject separation: Maths questions do not mix with English or reasoning. Question types are predictable year-to-year. Word problems are common but straightforward. Official GL Maths practice papers available. See our Maths Topics guide for the full syllabus.
Maths integrated into a combined reasoning paper alongside English and VR. No guaranteed standalone Maths section. Question count and time allocation vary. Some written numerical answers rather than multiple-choice. The pace is faster because subjects switch without warning. Core content knowledge (fractions, algebra, geometry) is identical to GL — only the format and pacing differ.
11 Plus English — GL vs CEM
Standalone English paper of around 45–50 minutes. Comprehension passages with multiple-choice questions. Grammar, punctuation, and spelling tested separately with defined question types. Some GL regions add a creative writing component. Reading passages are literary and non-fiction. Question types are stable across years. Read our English guide for question-type detail.
English and vocabulary interleaved with VR questions in a combined paper. Comprehension passages appear but subject-switching happens mid-paper. Grammar and vocabulary tested within the combined session. Cloze passages (fill-in-the-blank) common in CEM English sections. Higher reading speed required as passages come alongside other question types. No standalone English paper.
11 Plus Verbal Reasoning — GL vs CEM
Standalone VR paper, 40–50 minutes, 80–100 questions, all multiple-choice. GL VR uses 21 defined question types (analogies, letter codes, word codes, number codes, hidden words, missing letters, odd one out, etc.) that remain consistent across papers. Type-specific drilling is directly rewarded. See our Verbal Reasoning guide for each type explained.
VR questions embedded within a combined paper alongside English and Maths. CEM does not publish its question type list. Types vary year to year; some overlap with GL types but presented differently. Includes vocabulary-heavy questions, cloze tasks, and reading-dependent reasoning. Format familiarity is harder to build because the paper is genuinely unpredictable. Broader vocabulary and reading comprehension matter more than type-drilling.
11 Plus Non-Verbal Reasoning — GL vs CEM
Standalone NVR paper, 40–45 minutes, 60–70 questions, all multiple-choice. GL NVR uses clearly defined types (odd one out, analogies, series, matrices, codes, spatial reasoning, paper folding) that remain consistent across papers. Type-by-type preparation is directly rewarded. Official GL NVR practice materials are available. See our NVR guide for all seven types explained.
Visual reasoning questions embedded within the combined reasoning paper. CEM does not produce a standalone NVR paper. Spatial and pattern questions appear but in unpredictable formats. May include written answers rather than multiple-choice. Fewer questions than GL NVR overall. Broader visual reasoning fluency matters more than drilling the specific GL question types. Some children who struggled with GL NVR drilling find CEM’s approach more accessible.
Which Areas Use GL vs CEM
Exam board usage varies by county, local authority, and individual school. The table below reflects the most common usage as of 2026, but this changes over time and individual schools within an area may use different providers. Always verify directly with your target school.
- Kent (Kent Test)
- Essex (CSSE schools — own format, GL-adjacent)
- Lincolnshire
- Bexley (London)
- Bromley (London)
- Kingston upon Thames
- Sutton (London)
- Trafford (Manchester)
- Slough and East Berkshire
- Many independent selective schools
- Northern Ireland (Transfer Test — AQE/GL)
- Birmingham
- Walsall
- Wolverhampton
- Sutton Coldfield / Aldridge
- Warwickshire
- Gloucestershire
- Shropshire
- Wiltshire
- Berkshire (Reading & surrounding)
- Parts of Yorkshire
- Some grammar schools in Lancashire
Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, and Barnet use their own formats
Several high-profile grammar school areas set their own papers independently of both GL and CEM. Buckinghamshire uses the Buckinghamshire Learning Trust (BLT) format. Hertfordshire selective schools and Barnet schools use their own papers. The Sutton 11+ consortium (including Wilson’s, Wallington, and Nonsuch) uses a consortium format that is not standard GL. Always check the specific school or consortium website rather than assuming a known provider.
Board usage changes — some areas have recently switched
Several areas that used GL Assessment switched to CEM in the 2010s and 2020s, citing concerns about the advantage of intensive coaching. The reverse can also happen. If you read older forum posts or preparation guides that state “[area] uses GL,” verify it is still current. The safest check is the school’s own admissions documentation published for the current academic year.
How to Find Out Which Board Your Area Uses
This is the most important step before buying any preparation materials. Getting it wrong means months of preparation for the wrong format.
- Check the school’s admissions page. Most grammar schools that use GL or CEM name their provider explicitly in their admissions information pack or FAQs. Search the school’s website for “11 plus” or “entrance exam.” If you see a reference to “GL Assessment” or “Durham,” you have your answer.
- Call the school’s admissions office directly. If the website does not name the provider, a phone call is the fastest and most reliable route. Ask specifically: “Which company produces your 11 Plus entrance papers — is it GL Assessment, CEM, or your own format?”
- Check the local authority website. For areas where grammar schools participate in a consortium (Kent, Buckinghamshire, Lincolnshire), the local authority’s secondary transfer pages will name the provider and link to the official preparation guidance.
- Look for the consortium or regional testing body. Some areas have their own testing bodies: the CSSE in Essex, the AQE in Northern Ireland, the BLT in Buckinghamshire. These are listed on consortium websites independently of both GL and CEM.
- Verify before buying resources. Once you have confirmed the board, only then purchase resources specifically designed for it. CGP and Bond publish separate GL and CEM editions for most subjects. Buying the wrong edition wastes money and risks preparing for unfamiliar question formats.
One school, multiple boards
In areas with multiple grammar schools, it is common for different schools within the same town to use different boards. Do not assume that because one school uses GL, all nearby selective schools do. If your child is applying to more than one school, check each one individually and prepare for the most demanding or most different format as your baseline.
How Preparation Differs Between Boards
Confirming the board is step one. Adjusting the preparation strategy is step two. The differences matter most for Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning; Maths and English core content overlaps significantly but format and pacing still require specific attention.
Preparing for GL Assessment
GL preparation is type-driven. Because the question formats are published and consistent, the most efficient strategy is to work through each question type in isolation until it is automatic, then progress to timed mixed papers.
- Start with a question-type-by-type workbook (CGP or Bond) for each subject
- Learn all 21 VR question types — every type has appeared in real GL VR papers and can be drilled specifically
- For NVR, work through the seven core types: odd one out, analogies, series, matrices, codes, spatial reasoning, paper folding
- Transition to timed mixed practice using official GL practice papers in the final 6–8 weeks
- GL papers are multiple-choice throughout — practice the elimination strategy and train the answer-sheet habit
Preparing for CEM
CEM preparation is fluency-driven. Because the format is not published and varies year to year, drilling specific question types is less useful. The goal is broad reasoning ability and reading speed.
- Prioritise reading: wide, regular reading across fiction and non-fiction builds the vocabulary and comprehension speed that CEM English and VR sections depend on
- Practise switching between subjects mid-session — CEM papers change topic without warning, and children who are not used to this lose time reorienting
- Use CEM-specific preparation books (CGP and Bond both publish CEM editions) rather than GL-format workbooks
- Focus on building Maths fluency and mental arithmetic speed — CEM Maths sections are timed tightly
- Avoid over-drilling specific NVR question types; instead, build broader visual reasoning through puzzle books, spatial toys, and mixed NVR practice
- Practise short written numerical answers as well as multiple-choice, since CEM uses both
The overlap is bigger than it sounds
For Maths, the content tested is virtually identical between GL and CEM: number, fractions, algebra, geometry, data handling, and ratio appear in both. A child who has mastered the core Maths syllabus is well-positioned for either board. The real difference is pace and format — which is best addressed in the final two to three months of preparation. Do not let board uncertainty delay starting core Maths practice.
Applying to both GL and CEM schools?
Some children apply to schools using different boards. In this case: prepare for GL first (the structured format is more learnable and provides a strong foundation), then introduce CEM-style mixed papers and subject-switching practice in the final 8–10 weeks. The core knowledge built for GL transfers entirely to CEM — only the format and pacing need additional work. Do not try to prepare for both boards simultaneously from the start; it dilutes focus at the type-mastery stage.
Book and Resource Recommendations by Board
The right resource depends entirely on which board your school uses. Using a GL-format book for a CEM school, or vice versa, gives the wrong format practice. Below are the recommended resources for each.
For GL Assessment Schools
- CGP 11+ GL Assessment Range Separate books per subject. Type-by-type introduction with clear explanations. Essential starting point for GL VR and NVR specifically.
- Bond 11+ GL Practice Papers Graded mixed papers. Progress from 5–6 up to 10+ age level. Best for timed mixed practice once types are individually solid.
- Official GL Assessment Practice Papers The closest format match to the real exam. Use in the final 6–8 weeks for timed simulation. Available directly from GL or via major booksellers.
- Nightingale Prep Worksheets Exam-standard topic worksheets for Maths Fractions, VR Word Codes, and NVR Pattern Series. Targeted practice at real exam difficulty.
For CEM Schools
- CGP 11+ CEM Range CEM-specific editions covering the combined paper format. Mixed subject content within timed papers. Better than the GL editions for CEM preparation.
- Bond 11+ CEM Practice Papers CEM-style mixed papers with subject interleaving. Use these rather than subject-specific GL workbooks once core knowledge is in place.
- First Past the Post CEM Papers Practice papers designed specifically to replicate the CEM style. Useful for building familiarity with mid-paper subject switching.
- Wide Reading Programme For CEM, a structured reading programme (daily fiction + weekly non-fiction) builds vocabulary and comprehension speed more effectively than drilling alone.
Which books NOT to buy
Do not use GL-specific VR or NVR workbooks if your child is sitting a CEM exam — the question types are structured differently and drilling GL types can create false confidence. Similarly, if your child is sitting a GL exam, CEM-style mixed papers are less useful for type-mastery than GL-specific type workbooks. The board you are preparing for should determine every resource purchase. Ask yourself: does this book explicitly state it is for GL or CEM? If it does not specify, verify the format before buying.
Quick Summary
- GL Assessment produces separate, defined papers for each 11 Plus subject (Maths, English, VR, NVR) in a consistent multiple-choice format with published practice materials.
- CEM produces combined reasoning papers that interleave subjects without a published format, using a mix of multiple-choice and written answers — designed to be harder to tutor for.
- The exam board determines your preparation strategy far more than any other single factor. Drilling GL VR types for a CEM school is wasted time; CEM-style fluency practice for a GL school leaves type-specific gaps.
- Always verify which board your specific school uses by checking their admissions page or calling directly. Regional generalisations are unreliable.
- Some areas use neither GL nor CEM — Buckinghamshire, certain London boroughs, Essex CSSE schools, and independent schools via ISEB use their own formats.
- Core Maths content is essentially identical between boards. Confirm the board before starting VR and NVR preparation, where the format differences are greatest.
- Preparing for both boards? Master GL types first (structured and teachable), then add CEM-format mixed papers and subject-switching practice in the final 8–10 weeks.
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Now explore each subject in depth
Once you know which board applies, head to the subject guides for the question types, format details, and preparation plans specific to what your child will face.