Expert Insights

Can you prepare for the 11+ Grammar School CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) Exam?

Published 28th April 2023

The Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring (CEM) 11+ Grammar School Admissions Exams are highly competitive exams that determine a child's admission to a grammar school. As a parent, it is natural to want to prepare your child as much as possible for these exams, but the question remains: is it possible to prepare your child for the CEM 11+ Grammar School Admissions Exams?

While there's no simple answer, there are various strategies you can use to support your child's success.

Format Familiarisation
One strategy is to familiarise your child with the format of the exam. The CEM 11+ exams often consist of multiple-choice questions that cover a range of topics, such as verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and mathematics. By practising past papers or using online resources, your child can become more comfortable with the format of the exam and develop their problem-solving skills.

Time Management

Time management skills are also essential, as the CEM 11+ exams are timed. You can encourage your child to work efficiently under pressure by setting goals for completing sections of the exam, developing strategies for tackling challenging questions and practising working against the clock.

Extra-Curricular Activities
Additionally, you can support your child's academic development more broadly by encouraging reading, practising mental math, and engaging in problem-solving activities. Balancing exam preparation and other areas of development, such as sports, arts, and social activities, ensures that your child is well-rounded and able to perform their best on the exam day.

While there's no guarantee of success, these strategies can increase your child's chances of doing well on the CEM 11+ exams.

If you're looking for additional support, consider joining Ivy Education's 11+ Grammar School Revision Courses, covering the CEM Assessment format and focussing on exam technique, taking place this May Half Term.