What Are The Different Types of 11 Plus Exam Boards?

The first step in preparing your child is identifying the 11 Plus exam board for the Grammar School exam. There are two main 11 Plus examination boards, and even though their test formats are similar, your child will need to prepare differently for each.

We will analyse each exam board more closely as we explore the differences between CEM and GL examinations in this post.

The 11 Plus GL Exam Board

GL stands for Granada Learning, the body that conducts the tests for most 11 Plus exams. Previously known as the National Education Foundation for Education Research (NFER), the examination board was acquired by Granada Learning in 2001. The NFER research company continues to exist.

Subjects Covered

Mathematics, English, Spatial Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning are the subjects the GL exam board covers in the 11 Plus examination. Grammar schools are at liberty to determine what set of subjects they will test for admission.

The Exam Format

On average, GL tests last about 45 minutes, and most questions are multi-choice questions, excluding Verbal Reasoning and Maths tests that require written answers. Questions are taken from an incredibly large database, but there are a limited number of styles and formats.

The 11 Plus CEM Exam Board

Due to concerns over preparation for the GL Assessment, the Cambridge Assessment Centre for Evaluation & Monitoring launched the CEM examination in 1999. The new examination body was established to enhance the clarity of 11 Plus questions and ensure a more equitable assessment process.

The CEM website states that children can prepare for our 11 Plus entrance assessments by concentrating on individual tasks, finishing assignments given by their school, taking notes and striving to understand all the terms in any books they read.

Subjects Covered 

The CEM assessment includes numerical reasoning, Verbal reasoning, and Non-verbal Reasoning. The questions asked in the examination align more with the Key Stage 2 syllabus. The CEM concept of Verbal Reasoning is deeper than GL (Granada Learning) and encompasses comprehension.

The CEM test is extremely time-constrained, accentuating this by segmenting the paper into timed parts. Once the time runs out in a section, the student is not permitted to return to that section. An example might be a reading comprehension test with 20 questions you must answer in 15 minutes.

Reading fluency and proficiency are crucial for students. If a child is a reluctant reader, this can hinder his or her chances of passing the test. You must build your child’s vocabulary – antonyms, synonyms and homonyms – and his or her understanding of words.

What Do 11 Plus Exams Consist Of? 

School and district-specific assessments vary, but most assess the areas listed below. There will be some or all of the following components in 11 Plus and similar exams around the country: English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-verbal Reasoning.

Consequently, your child will have to sit for four exams. The exams are a mixture of spoken and written tests. Your child must take tests in all of these areas.

You must help your child prepare for these exams outside of school since they usually differ from the school curriculum. If you want your child to prepare independently, taking 11 plus tuition outside of school is the best option. An alternative option to help your child prepare for 11 Plus exams is to hire a private tutor to guide and instruct them individually. This option can be beneficial in terms of helping your child develop and hone their skills, as well as providing personalised support and feedback that can help them stay motivated and confident.

The Grammar School exam isn’t difficult, but preparing for it and other exams makes it challenging. So ensure they are prepared for the test with the necessary assistance. Devise a mock test and practice paper plan for your child to help them achieve their goals.

Some Tips To Prepare For Exam Board Assessments

• Whether your child is taking the GL Assessment or CEM 11+ test, make sure he or she is familiar with the types of questions in each subject using practice tests.
• Having a deep and rich vocabulary is essential when taking a CEM test. Understanding the various methods and tactics will help increase confidence and effectiveness. By reading widely, your child will likely become acquainted with more sophisticated words, which you can integrate into daily interactions.
• Playing board games and doing puzzles can help children learn words’ meanings. Giving your child a chance to take practice tests in real exam situations can prepare them for formal exams – and reduce their stress.
• Additionally, you can provide a positive environment to foster learning by offering rewards when they learn new words, helping them develop a sense of accomplishment and pride in their achievements.
• Encouraging them to look up dictionary words can help build their independent learning skills and teach them the importance of research.
• Especially in the CEM exam, teaching your child to concentrate on the questions they are more familiar with is essential since there may not be enough time to answer them.

Conclusion

Students face many challenges with the entrance exam preparation; however, the knowledge and guidance of the 11 Plus exam board syllabus can be mastered, and your child can achieve excellent grades.