Loading...So, welcome to our post explaining the difference between the CEM Select 11+ and the Other 11 plus exams. In partnership with 11+ prep specialist.
11+ exam Differences
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).
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.
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.
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. An 11+ CEM Select assessment takes approx. 60 mins.
- Three or four of the modules will cover 11+ 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.
- 11+ Non-Verbal Ability is assessed by a single non-verbal reasoning module in the CEM Select assessment battery of tests.
4. The core 11+ Verbal Reasoning modules are 11+ Comprehension and Missing Words
Other possible 11+ CEM Select verbal reasoning modules are known by CEM Select as:
- Shuffled Sentences,
- Anagrams,
- Multiple Meanings,
- Selected Letters,
- Letter Connections and
- Related
4. The 11+ CEM has Numerical Reasoning modules with either 1 or 2 numerical reasoning modulesmodules.
So, when it’s one, then this is called General Maths by 11+ CEM Select.
If it’s two numerical reasoning modules in your particular 11+ CEM Select bespoke assessment then these are split into an Arithmetic module and a Data Problems module.
5. The 11+ 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!
Once your child understands this, they can approach their 11+ assessment test with confidence. They won’t get stressed out if they run out of the limited 11+ administration 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 ant 11+ question.
8. No negative 11+ CEM Select marking.
Make an intelligent guess for the most challenging, 11+ time- consuming 11 plus questions for you. DO NOT skip it. There’s no downside to this approach and significant potential upside in terms of extra marks gained.
DO NOT spend too long on ANY 11+ 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, ask yourself, Will this 11+ approach take too long? So it really is better to make an intelligent guess and move on as the opportunity cost is too great.
11 plus 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. The 11+ test-taker miss out on many more marks on much easier 11+ questions.
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.
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.
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
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 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.
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 11+ numerical reasoning, 11+ verbal reasoning and 11 plus non-verbal reasoning modules.
- There will be no surprises on 11+ exam day.