Which are the best 2023 independent school 11 plus test practice papers to use for 2023 entry?

Welcome to our 11 plus CEM Select 2023 practice test papers.

11 plus CEM Select 2023 practice test papers

There are no official CEM Select past papers or full sample CEM papers. Any CEM 11+ samples you find online will be based on exit interviews with children. These CEM 11 plus practice tests are recommended by School Entrance Tests for several key reasons:

Why are these the best 11+ CEM Select practice exams?

All of the unusual CEM Select verbal reasoning, maths and non-verbal reasoning question formats are included.Thereby, ensuring your child has exposure to all of the 11 plus question type possibilities that appear in each CEM Select exam paper.
Hence these CEM Select practice test packs are, in our opinion, the most accurate CEM Select Practice Tests you will find anywhere online.
Your child will feel more confident about their CEM Select exam day once they know exactly what type of 11 plus questions to expect. Plus, they will have learnt how to approach each of the numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning modules.
There will be no surprises on exam day which could put a pass into question!

How different is CEM Select 11 exam?

The different types of 11 Plus school entrance exams can be very confusing at first glance. GL Assessment and CEM set most 11+ exams across the UK. Thus, each 11+ provider sets several regional 11 Plus exams.

Check individual grammar school websites so that you can confirm whether your child is to sit the CEM 11 Plus, the GL 11 Plus, or some combination of both 11 Plus test formats

For the full blog on this much-discussed topic, read more at Types of 11 plus tests.

What’s the 11 plus CEM Select pass mark?

In summary, the above premium CEM Select practice tests offer a distinct advantage compared to their peers who have not come across these formats before.

We also recommend aiming for 60-70%+ in each of the CEM Select modules. This will ensure that you are aiming for a ‘safe CEM Select pass’.

That said, the key point is to focus on gaining exposure to as many of the different types of CEM Select verbal reasoning, CEM Select maths and CEM Select non-verbal reasoning questions as possible.

Best CEM Select 11 plus revision

School Entrance Tests recommends familiarising yourself with the various questions formats for each CEM Select numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning type.
This is because the first key consideration in any any CEM Select 11 plus exam is time. It is unlike ISEB’s alternative selective school tests in the number of questions you’re expected to answer within the time available. The CEM Select requires you to work as efficiently and accurately as possible. Aim to average approximately 15-20 seconds per CEM Select question.
The second key consideration is accuracy. Certainly, if your child is not already used to checking their answers, they need to start doing this when practising for their CEM Select exam 2022. Even double checking their answers!
The best school entry exams to use in your practice school entrance sessions should be close as possible to the challenges of your actual CEM Select exam.
School Entrance Tests also recommend taking multiple practice tests. Since this CEM Select preparation then incorporates learnings from your previous CEM Select practice papers.
As with most selective school entry tests, there are a range of different verbal reasoning question formats. Firstly, use our recommended CEM Select practice tests. The following free verbal reasoning papers will also be useful practice. Above all it is your child’s vocabulary which is being tested here. So, also read widely and at as advanced a level as possible.

CEM 11 Plus Key facts

The CEM 11 Plus consists of these six 11 plus papers: Comprehension; Literacy; Verbal Reasoning; Numeracy; Numerical Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

Firstly, each consists of two papers; divided into separately timed sections.
The mixed paper format combines two of these into one test. Thus, the CEM English and the CEM verbal reasoning tests are combined. Secondly, the CEM maths test and the CEM non-verbal reasoning test are combined.
CEM 11 plus timings are given per section.
Never leave a question blank.
Try to eliminate one or two answer options even if you don’t know the actual correct answer. When you guess it’s better to have a 1 in 3 than a 1 in 4 or a 1 in 5 chance.

What’s the difference between the CEM Select and the CEM 11 plus exams?

The first CEM 11 plus exams were in the traditional paper and pencil format.

Whereas the later CEM Select is an online 11 plus exam.

So, which schools use CEM Select?

The initial intent was for this to be a replacement grammar school 11 plus entry assessment. However it’s popularity has meant that an increasing number of private schools, from around the U.K., have also adopted the CEM Select 11 plus.

Check individual school websites to check if your child will take either of the CEM school entry exams:

the offline CEM or the online CEM SELECT. Or the more recent ISEB pre-tests item bank.

Top 11 plus practice past papers.

11 plus CEM Select Key Facts

What does CEM Select test?

Principally KS2 and the National Curriculum. For English and for Maths.

CEM Select paper 1 is English and verbal reasoning.

Paper 2 is maths and non- verbal reasoning.

1. The CEM Select online assessment battery is Primarily used for entry into independent schools (both private and grammar schools at:

11+ which is Year 7 entry,
12+ which is Year 8 entry) and
13+ which is Year 9 entry.Cambridge Assessment’s 11+ assessment of maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.

2. CEM Select assesses the three skills of Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Numerical Reasoning skills.

There are 5-6 short CEM Select modules

3. A CEM Select assessment takes approx. 60 mins.

Three or four of the modules will cover Verbal Ability is assessed by 3-4 modules in the CEM Select assessment battery of tests.
Numerical reasoning skills are assessed by 3-4 CEM Select modules.
Non-Verbal Ability is assessed by a single non-verbal reasoning module in the CEM Select assessment battery of tests.

4. CEM Selects core Verbal Reasoning modules are Comprehension and Missing Words

Other possible CEM Select verbal reasoning modules are known by CEM Select as:

Shuffled Sentences,
Anagrams,
Multiple Meanings,
Selected Letters,
Letter Connections and
Related Words.

BUY CEM Select practice papers BUY CEM Select video course

4. CEM Selects Numerical Reasoning modules can consist of either 1 or 2 numerical reasoning modulesmodules.
So, when it’s one, then this is called General Maths by CEM Select.

If it’s two numerical reasoning modules in your particular CEM Select bespoke assessment then these are split into an Arithmetic module and a Data Problems module.

5. The Non-Verbal Ability section has one module called Pictures.

In previous years, this has focused exclusively on Matrices questions in the CEM style.

6. The CEM Select exam is extremely time pressured.

For example, the Pictures section could have 25 questions to answer in 7 minutes. This is just 16.8 seconds per question!

However, it’s really important you let your child know that, according to CEM, they are not expected to complete the sections and you can skip plenty of questions and still do very well.

Once your child understands this, they can approach the test with confidence and won’t get stressed out if they run out of time.

7. You can skip questions and come back to them later.

However, in reality, since the test is so time pressured, it’s unlikely they will have time to come back to questions.

8. there is no negative CEM Select marking.

so, we recommend advising your child to make an intelligent guess for every question rather than skipping it. There’s no downside to this approach and significant potential upside in terms of extra marks gained.

The key to doing well in CEM Select is to pick up as many marks as possible. Therefore, you never want to spend too long on any one question.
This is especially important if your child is a perfectionist and wants to work through every question.

Even if they know they can get to the correct answer, if it’s going to take too long, it’s better to make an intelligent guess and move on as the opportunity cost is too great.

The questions don’t get harder as you progress through the test so picking up one mark but taking two minutes to do so is an ill advised approach if it means you miss out on many more marks on easier questions down the line.

This approach is counterintuitive to what children are often taught

8. The online CEM Select test, is quite differs considerably from the paper and pencil CEM 11+ which many grammar schools also use.

CEM Select contains unusual question formats that cannot be found elsewhere. These include drag and drop and word auto completes, where you only need to type the first two letters of a word.

11 plus CEM practice papers

2022 CEM 11+ differences

There are two main assessment organisations that provide 11-plus exams for most regions in the UK – CEM and GL. Both types of 11-plus test cover maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning but there are some key differences. Some regions use a mixture of the two papers. There may also be differences in the exams used by different grammar schools within the same region. Therefore, it is essential to check which test format your child will be taking so that you can use the correct practice papers to prepare.

CEM 11 Plus Exams 2022

These CEM 11-plus exams typically cover numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning and abstract (or non-verbal) reasoning. They may be multiple choice or standard format.

Or a mixture of the two. Usually made up of two papers, CEM exams have a mixture of separately timed numerical, verbal and abstract sections.

They claim to be “tutor proof” in order to ensure fairness. Their exams aim to identify academic potential without favouring children who can afford coaching.

CEM exams assess a child’s vocabulary, speed and problem-solving. The questions on CEM exams are similar to those a child will have encountered in KS2.

Who uses the 11 plus CEM test?

About a third of the UK’s grammar schools use CEM tests to select for entrance.

The following regions use CEM 11-plus tests:

Berkshire
Bexley
Birmingham
Chelmsford
Devon
Gloucestershire
Shropshire
Walsall
Warwickshire
Wirral
Wolverhampton

Each region has different types of questions and even different subjects. Most 11-Plus exams incorporate verbal reasoning (word puzzles), Maths and English (comprehension and/or creative writing). Some also include non-verbal reasoning (picture puzzles) and Science. Some are multiple choice, others require candidates to write the answers.

What’s in the CEM 11 Plus?

There are several companies which provide 11-Plus exam papers. However, the main two are GL Assessment and Durham’s CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring). Although GL Assessment still remains the biggest supplier of 11-Plus papers for schools and local authorities, Durham CEM’s papers are gaining in popularity because they claim to be more ‘tutor-proof’.

In addition to these two companies, 10 grammar schools in the Essex area have their own 11-Plus exam. In Northern Ireland, candidates take a separate exam called the Northern Ireland Transfer Test.

English 11+ CEM topics

Here are in our opinion the 11 plus English topics that are most likely to come up in your 11 plus English questions:

Alliteration
Ordering Alphabetically
Antonyms
Apostrophes
Capital Letters
Commas
Compound Word
Comprehension
Connectives / Conjunctions
Direct Speech
Fact and Opinion
Indirect Speech
Metaphors
Onomatopoeia
Paragraphs
Prepositions
Punctuation
Similes
Synonyms
They’re, Their, There
Verbs
You’re, Your

CEM 11+ non-verbal reasoning test practice

Non-verbal reasoning examinations are one of the most used ways for testing a student in the 11+ grade.
Preparation is the key and there are many different strategies that the student can adapt for taking the test successfully.
It also tests the analytical skills of the students such as shape-based problem-solving skills, puzzles, and many other abstract concepts.
This kind of reasoning can also be practiced very well in the comfort of home using different strategical locations. The students will require a strong support structure for making it to the end of the examinations and the online tests will make it possible for them.
The exam boards usually use different letters and shapes to identify the skills of the students and asking them what is the closest thing related to it. However, it has to be kept in mind that there will be no words, involved in this type of test.
There might be codes as it is used by many schools under a specific GL code. The first tip for any student appearing on this test is spotting the different patterns of shapes.

Top 5 CEM 11+ non-verbal reasoning tips

The application of logic and special awareness will be required for passing this test and one should be able to spot different patterns showcased in the form of shapes.
Secondly, there are certain things that the newly practicing students will need to look out for to make the learning process easier and to quickly address the issues. All of these below discussed suggestions can be practiced at home to make sure that the child is ready on the test day. A method similar to the CGP method can be followed so that the child learns easier and quicker.
The third tip is to invest time and get familiar with the questions. The student will not make themselves familiar with the different aspects of the test in the first place and only they will be able to build a thought process for connecting with the questions asked in the test. Once the student has spent effective time getting familiar with the shape patterns, then they need to start practicing effectively. The more they practice the quicker the better they will get. Spotting the patterns at the time of the exam will become easier this way.
Fourth tip is to be open-minded and give a shot to all types of approaches towards solving the questions. They can be different approaches to non-verbal learning. The first step will be to understand what the student should be looking for in the patterns and which may range anywhere from shapes to numbers, rotations, eliminations, etc.
The fifth step involves practicing the skill before they move on to a new skill and once the process is complete then they will practice on certain combinations and the different areas, where they are better now and then trying to ask themselves questions to understand how well they can grasp it.

GL tests, GL Assessment papers pdf and gl assessment sample papers

Top Ten CEM 11+ non-verbal reasoning tips

Sixth step is to memorize the patterns from the questions you’re answering. The questions that usually come in the examination will assist you in getting the answers right in the shape-based questions is understanding which one is the odd one out.It would also be valuable of being good at counting. The counting part comes, in which you will have spot patterns as well. One will have to link between the different pattern shapes and understand which of them represents a link between themselves.
The seventh tip is to be familiar with color combinations. There can be another type of question in which you will have to determine which point of black shapes looks similar to the same of the white shapes and then also figure out which shapes are unlike the others.The outline of the large shape will slowly become large and will slowly be dashed.
The next tip is to watch closely and understand which figures have a changing pattern among them and if they can be changed in some way to form a similar pattern. With effective practice, one will be able to recognize the patterns during the exams quite easily.
Ninth tip is to determine from where you’re appearing. If the student is appearing from an Essex-based, then there is no requirement for preparing for the NVR test, as the students there are judged based on Mathematics and English examinations only.
The last tip is to practice reasoning questions. With efficient help and willpower, any student can crack this test, even though NVR skills are not taught the primary school sessions. There is help available online and with a decent amount of practice almost anyone will be able to understand the questions based on different shapes and patterns.

Differences between CEM and GL tests

CEM exams group the Verbal Reasoning 11+ and the English 11+ tests together. CEM exams are also divided into separately timed sections. It’s therefore important that children learn how to manage their time correctly as it’s not possible to return to sections once completed. Nevertheless, the CEM entrance tests cover the same subject areas (Maths, English, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning) as the GL Assessment tests. They also have the same standardized pass-mark (121).

See our useful guides called Where is my local grammar school?

Where’s my local London Grammar Schools?

What are the CEM and CEM Select pre-Tests?

It’s an online test created by the Centre of Evaluation and Monitoring (CEM).

It assesses Verbal, Non-Verbal and Numerical Ability. The test contains a number of unique features and question types, such as drag and drop, auto-completes and more. It is also highly time pressured.

Made up of two papers.
Each of the two CEM 11+ papers has a mixture of separately timed sections.
Resistant to coaching. This makes the CEM 11+ exams fairer.
Made-up of questions linked to Key Stage 2 content. In particular, vocabulary and speed.

The off-line CEM and online CEM Select Entrance Assessments

Both CEM versions assess Verbal, Non-Verbal and Numerical Ability.

These pre- tests contain a number of unique features and question types, such as drag and drop, auto-completes and more

Whereas, the CEM 11+ exams are:

Made up of two papers.
Each of the two CEM 11+ papers has a mixture of separately timed sections.
Resistant to coaching. This makes the CEM 11+ exams fairer.
Made-up of questions linked to Key Stage 2 content. In particular, vocabulary and speed.

Key 11 Plus Exam Papers’ Questions Differences

CEM and GL are two different exam boards that are the exam boards in virtually all regions where the 11+ is still used. Although the CEM and GL exams cover roughly the same 11+ topics, there are differences in how they work.

CSSE 11 plus exams are however for those that want to apply for one of the 10 Grammar schools in the consortium of selective schools in Essex.

We expect this feature will help you to earn more about the 11 plus exam paper questions differences.

CEM and GL assessment

The two predominant 11 Plus examiners are:

GL Assessment, formerly known as NFER.
CEM exams were developed by the University of Durham’s Centre for Evaluation & Monitoring.
They do not publish CEM 11 plus practice materials.
CEM also change the format of examinations to minimise ‘teaching to the test’.
Hence there is an increasing number of switches to using CEM examinations.

CEM Select exam prep

What are the main CEM Select challenges?

Well, the test contains a number of unique features and question types, such as drag and drop, auto-completes and more. It is also highly time pressured.

CEM Select practice

How can parents learn best about the Maths CEM SELECT paper?

A goos question. Well, here’s the Maths CEM 11 plus familiarisation materials:

How to quickly learn what’s in the non-verbal reasoning CEM SELECT paper?

Here are the Non-Verbal Reasoning CEM 11 plus familiarisation materials:

How can parents learn best what the Verbal Reasoning CEM SELECT paper looks like?

Here are the Verbal Reasoning CEM 11 plus familiarisation materials:

How can I quickly learn about the CEM SELECT English paper?

Here are the English CEM 11 plus familiarisation materials:

Key CEM Select Background Facts

Firstly, CEM is the 11 Plus examination board for several regional 11 Plus grammar school entrance papers. The CEM Select tests Numerical Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Non-verbal reasoning skills.

How to pass the CEM 11+ Test

At such a young age, children should not, in an ideal world, ever feel stressed about things like exams, and as such the more relaxed your child feels about his or her 11 plus tuition, the better. A sad reality of the 11 plus is that every year over-stressed children come out of the exam in floods of tears, and nothing will make your child more panicky on the day than a stressful couple of weeks leading up to the test.

We would recommend that you begin light preparations for your child while they are in year 4.

No more than a couple of hours a week should be necessary in the early days, and no more than four or five hours each week even as it gets closer to the actual test. Burdening your child with too much work too soon will simply put them off the process all together. If you are finding that you need to spend huge amounts of time tutoring your child, perhaps it would be wise to question if grammar school is the best environment for them.

Background Reading for the CEM 2022

Reading allows your child to expand his or her vocabulary beyond the typical range of topics; as the old adage goes, reading truly does broaden the mind.

CEM Maths Tips

With regards to the CEM 11 plus maths 2022, it’s best to ensure that your child is confident with everything on the KS2 maths syllabus. Reports from your child’s school should give an indication of whether your child has any major gaps in his/her knowledge. Use Key Stage 2 maths revision resources to fill any of these gaps, and be sure to revisit material that your child struggles on regularly.

Schools often take a modular approach to maths, which means that, if they cover fractions in September of Year 4, they may not cover them again until September of Year 5, by which time they’ve completely forgotten how to do them! Try to resist the temptation to ‘overrule’ your child when examining different methods with which to tackle the basic operations in maths.

The most important thing is to ensure that your child is confident with the basics in the following areas:

The CEM exam topic-by-topic

CEM Maths

Place value, square and cube numbers and roots, prime numbers, factors. Fractions – finding fractions of amounts, equivalent fractions, simplifying fractions, proper fractions, improper fractions, mixed numbers, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions.

Time: Analogue, digital, 12 hour, 24 hour, world time zones.
Decimals, fractions and percentages. Rounding to a given number of decimal places.
Money, our coinage system, currency conversion.
Measurement, metric units of length, mass and capacity.
Area and perimeter including compound shapes. Surface area and volume.
Mean, median, mode and range.
Percentages.
Ratio and probability, scale.
Angles, shapes, compass points, symmetry

CEM English Comprehension

Cloze passages with missing words, again make up your own on subjects that you know will interest your child. You know best what interests your child!
Lots of practice at shuffled sentences is the key to success at this particular element of the CEM test.
I find that children improve dramatically with lots of exposure to these question types.

Pre-test CEM Non-Verbal Reasoning exam paper

Be sure to test your child’s ability in the Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR) component as early as possible.
Many girls perform very well in this section, and equally some boys will struggle.
The best way to improve at NVR is simply practice, practice and more practice.

CEM Mock Exam Practice

Talk to the mock providers – the best ones are the tuition companies that are completely transparent and allow you as parents to see the papers and give a relative score for the cohort.

CEM 11+ Schools

Grammar schools use the:

GL Assessment grammar school entrance exam.
CEM grammar school entrance exam.
Variation or mix of the above.
Their own unique county 11 plus exam.

What are Berkshire grammar school entrance exams?

Berkshire has 6 grammar schools and one bilateral (a school that takes learners of all abilities as well as running a separate grammar school stream). 4 of these schools are in Slough, forming part of the Slough Consortium schools, while 3 (including the bilateral) are in Reading. All the selective grammar schools use CEM assessment, while the bilateral school in Reading makes use of the GL Assessments.

Devon grammar schools’ entrance exams

Devon’s grammar school entrance involves three separate Local Authorities. These include Devon County Council, Plymouth and Torbay. There are a total of 6 exclusive grammar schools and one bilateral school (a school that takes learners of all abilities as well as running a separate grammar school stream) in Devon. The Torbay and Colyton Grammar Schools make use of CEM assessment. Although the Plymouth schools use GL Assessment they also set some of the papers themselves.

What are Manchester’s grammar school entry exams?

Trafford has 7 grammar schools. Each of them has their own entrance exam. Only one, Sale Grammar School (Mixed) use the CEM while the other 6 make use of GL Assessment and their own internal tests in some cases.
Wiltshire has only 2 grammar schools. The one, Bishop Wordsworth’s (Boys) uses CEM and the other, South Wilts Grammar School (Girls) GL assessments.

What are Yorkshire grammar schools’ entry exams?

Yorkshire has 6 grammar schools spread out across 3 local authorities. Heckmondwike Grammar School (Kirklees; mixed) is the only one using the CEM, the others all use GL Assessment.

Recommended free CEM Select resources

CEM SELECT practice

School Entrance Tests