GL Assessment vs CEM: What's the Difference?

When you start looking into the 11+, one of the first things you'll need to work out is which exam board your child's target school uses. There are two main ones: GL Assessment and CEM. They're quite different in style, so it genuinely matters which one you're preparing for.

What is GL Assessment?

GL Assessment is the most widely used 11+ provider in England. You'll find their papers in grammar schools across Kent, Essex, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire and many other counties.

• Each subject gets its own paper, so Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning are tested separately
• The question formats are consistent and predictable, which makes structured preparation feel very manageable
• Results come back as age-standardised scores (typically between 69 and 141), adjusted for how old your child was on test day
• It's multiple choice throughout

What is CEM?

CEM was developed by Durham University and is used in areas including Birmingham, Berkshire, parts of Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

• Subjects are combined in a single sitting rather than tested separately, so Maths and Verbal questions are often mixed together
• CEM deliberately uses less familiar question formats to reduce the benefit of heavy drilling
• Speed is a real challenge here. Finishing the paper in time is something children genuinely need to practise for
• It uses a mix of multiple choice and written answers

Key differences at a glance

How to find out which board your school uses

Schools aren't always upfront about this, but it's easy enough to find out. Here are three ways:

1. Check the school's admissions page. Most grammar schools state their provider clearly
2. Look at your Local Education Authority (LEA) website. County-level information is usually published there
3. Just call the school and ask. They're used to the question and will tell you

How Onzely helps with both

Onzely covers question types from both GL Assessment and CEM papers, across Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The adaptive engine adjusts to your child's level automatically, and timed practice sessions help build the speed that CEM in particular demands. So whichever board you're preparing for, you're covered.