Here’s something that frustrates me: parents spend months preparing their child for the 11 Plus, only to discover – sometimes just weeks before the exam – that they’ve been preparing for the wrong format.
It happens more often than you’d think.
“But I thought the 11 Plus was just English and maths!” they say. Or “I didn’t know Kent was different from Bexley!” Or “Nobody told me there were two different exam boards!”
So let me clear this up once and for all. Let me explain exactly what the 11 Plus format looks like, how it varies, and what your child actually needs to prepare for.
The Four Core Areas (But Not Every School Tests All Four)
Most 11 Plus exams draw from these four areas. But – and this is crucial – not every exam tests all four.
English
This is the one everyone expects. But it’s not just “can your child read and write?”
What it typically includes:
– Reading comprehension (understanding texts, making inferences, analysing language)
– Grammar and punctuation (identifying and correcting errors, understanding sentence structure)
– Spelling and vocabulary
– Creative writing (for some schools, not all)
Comprehension is usually the largest section. Your child will read passages and answer questions that test not just whether they understood the basic facts, but whether they can read between the lines, understand the author’s intent, and analyse how language is used.
Grammar isn’t just “spot the mistake.” It’s understanding how language works – clauses, phrases, active and passive voice, all that stuff that makes parents’ eyes glaze over but is actually really important.
And creative writing? Some schools include it, some don’t. When it is included, it’s usually a short story or descriptive piece written to a prompt. They’re looking for imagination, structure, vocabulary, and technical accuracy.
Maths
Again, everyone expects this. But 11 Plus maths goes beyond what most primary schools cover.
What the maths paper typically includes:
– Arithmetic (the basics – addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, but with bigger numbers and under time pressure)
– Fractions, decimals, and percentages (converting between them, calculations with them)
– Algebra (yes, really – simple equations and sequences)
– Geometry (area, perimeter, angles, shapes)
– Problem-solving (word problems that require multiple steps and logical thinking)
– Data handling (interpreting graphs, charts, and tables)
The tricky bit? It’s not just about knowing how to do these things. It’s about doing them quickly and accurately under pressure.
A child who can work through a problem methodically in 5 minutes will struggle if they only have 45 seconds.
Verbal Reasoning
This is where parents start to panic, because it’s not something we did at school.
Verbal reasoning tests how well your child can think with words. It’s about logic and language combined.
What it typically includes:
– Word relationships (analogies like “hot is to cold as up is to ___”)
– Coding and decoding (if CAT = DBU, what does DOG equal?)
– Synonyms and antonyms
– Word patterns and sequences
– Logic problems using words
It sounds weird, but it’s actually testing really valuable skills – pattern recognition, logical thinking, and the ability to manipulate language.
The good news? These skills can be taught and practiced. The bad news? If you don’t know this section exists until a month before the exam, you’re in trouble.
Non-Verbal Reasoning
And this is where parents really start to sweat, because it looks completely alien.
Non-verbal reasoning tests logical thinking using shapes and patterns instead of words. It’s testing pure reasoning ability without language getting in the way.
What it typically includes:
– Pattern recognition (what comes next in this sequence?)
– Shape manipulation (rotation, reflection, combination)
– Odd one out (which shape doesn’t belong?)
– Analogies with shapes (this shape is to that shape as this one is to ___?)
– 3D visualization (what would this shape look like from a different angle?)
Children either find this really easy (because they’re naturally good at spatial reasoning) or really hard (because they’re not). But again, it can be taught and practiced.
The Formats That Actually Exist
Now, here’s where it gets complicated. Because there isn’t one 11 Plus. There are multiple versions, depending on where you live and which schools you’re applying to.
The Kent Test
Used for grammar schools in Kent. Tests all four areas – English, maths, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Two papers, about 100 questions total, strict time limits.
This is a tough exam. The pass mark is usually around 320-332 out of 420. You need to be strong across all four areas.
GL Assessment
Used in many areas including parts of London (like Sutton). Typically tests English, maths, and both types of reasoning. Multiple-choice format. Very time-pressured.
CEM (Durham University)
Used in areas like Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire, and some London boroughs up until a couple of years ago, when CEM decided to stop writing paper-based exams.
This is a different format that has more emphasis on comprehension and problem-solving, less on learned knowledge. Harder to prepare for because it tests aptitude more than knowledge.
Bexley Test
Similar to GL but with its own quirks. Heavy emphasis on reasoning. The pass mark varies year by year.
Independent School Exams
Each independent school can set its own exam. Some use GL or ISEB. Some create their own papers. Most private schools include creative writing; some don’t. Some test science (especially for 13 Plus exams).
You MUST check exactly what format your target schools use.
The Variation That Catches People Out
Here’s what trips families up: assuming all 11 Plus exams are the same.
They’re not.
A child perfectly prepared for the Kent Test might struggle with the CEM exam, because they’re testing different things in different ways.
A child who’s brilliant at reasoning might struggle if their target school focuses heavily on English and maths.
You need to know exactly which format your child will face, and prepare accordingly.
How to Find Out What Your Child Will Face
Step 1: Identify which grammar schools or independent schools you’re targeting.
Step 2: Go to each school’s website and look at their admissions information. They should specify which exam board they use.
Step 3: Look up that exam board’s format. They usually provide sample papers or familiarisation materials.
Step 4: Prepare for that specific format.
Don’t just buy generic “11 Plus” materials and hope for the best. Make sure you’re preparing for the right exam.
What This Means for Preparation
Once you know the format, you can prepare strategically.
If your child is taking the Kent Test, they need to be strong across all four areas. No point being brilliant at maths if they’re weak at reasoning.
If they’re taking a CEM exam, they need to focus more on comprehension and problem-solving, less on learned vocabulary.
If they’re applying to an independent school with creative writing, they need to actually practice writing stories, not just doing comprehension exercises.
At Geek School Tutoring, the first thing we do is identify exactly which exams your child will be taking. Then we tailor our preparation to that specific format.
We don’t waste time on content that won’t be tested. We focus on what actually matters for your child’s specific exams.
That’s why our students achieve a 100% pass rate. Because we prepare them for the right exam, not a generic version of it.
The Bottom Line
The 11 Plus format varies significantly depending on where you live and which schools you’re targeting.
Don’t assume. Don’t guess. Find out exactly what your child will face, and prepare accordingly.
Book a £5 assessment with us today and we’ll identify exactly which exams your child needs to take and create a tailored preparation plan. We’ve got centres in Beckenham and Lewisham, plus online tuition available.
Because preparing for the right exam is the first step to passing it.
Joycellyn
Managing Director, Geek School Tutoring
Author: Joycellyn Akuffo
Managing director of Geek School Tutoring, 11 Plus exam expert and tutor, and journalist.
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