Expert Insights

What are the differences between the GL and CEM 11+ Grammar School Admissions Exams?

Published 21st April 2023

The 11+ Grammar School Admissions Exam is a test taken by primary school students in the UK to determine their eligibility for admission to a grammar school. Two commonly used exams are the Granada Learning (GL) and the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring (CEM) exams.

The GL Exam
The GL exam is a multiple-choice test that covers four subjects: English, mathematics, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. The English and mathematics sections test students' knowledge of the primary school curriculum, while the verbal and non-verbal reasoning sections assess their problem-solving and analytical skills. Many grammar schools in the UK use the GL exam, and its results are provided to parents and schools within two weeks of the exam.

The CEM Assessment
The CEM assessment, on the other hand, is an adaptive test that adjusts the difficulty of questions based on a student's performance. The exam also covers English, mathematics, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning, but the questions are designed to be more challenging and to assess students' ability to apply their knowledge to new situations. Fewer grammar schools use the CEM exam, but CEM's results are highly regarded for their accuracy and reliability.

To summarise, here are the two main differences:

The GL exam is a traditional multiple-choice test that covers the primary school curriculum.
The CEM assessment is an adaptive test assessing students' ability to apply knowledge to new situations.

Both exams are widely used and respected by grammar schools, and parents should research which exam is used by the schools they are interested in and prepare their child accordingly.

Which local authorities use GL Exam and which use CEM Assessment for 11+ Grammar School admission?

The following areas use GL's 11+ Exam:
Birmingham, Buckinghamshire, Dorset, Kent, Lancashire & Cumbria, Lincolnshire, Medway, Northern Ireland, and Warwickshire.

The following areas use the CEM 11+ Assessment:
Berkshire, Bexley, Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Walsall, and Wolverhampton.

Some areas use a combination of GL and CEM for the 11+ exam:
Devon, Essex, Greater London, Hertfordshire, Trafford, Wiltshire, Wirral, Yorkshire.

How can I prepare for the GL Exam and CEM Assessments?

Joining Ivy Education in May Half-Term for one of our small online group 11+ Grammar School Revision courses will provide excellent preparation for both the Granada Learning (GL) and Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring (CEM) exams.