GL vs CEM 11+: What's the Difference and How to Prepare
Not all 11+ exams are the same. GL Assessment and CEM test different skills in different ways - and preparing for the wrong format can cost vital marks.
Read more → Verbal Reasoning11+ Verbal Reasoning: 10 Tips to Boost Your Score
Verbal reasoning is one of the most practiced - and most misunderstood - parts of the 11+. Here's what the question types actually test and how to get faster.
Read more → Exam Dates11+ Exam Dates 2025–2026: When Is the 11+ and How to Register
GL exams typically fall in September and October of Year 6. CEM dates vary by consortium. Here's a full guide to timing and registration.
Read more → Non-Verbal ReasoningNon-Verbal Reasoning for the 11+: A Parent's Complete Guide
NVR is the 11+ subject parents worry about most - because it's hard to explain and almost impossible to practice with a pen and paper at home.
Read more → Parent StoryWhy I Built This App (And Why It Nearly Broke Our Family)
The honest story behind 11+ Prep - what went wrong, what worked, and why a £50-an-hour tutor shouldn't be the only option.
Read more → Getting StartedWhat Actually Is the 11+?
GL, CEM, CSSE, SET - a plain English guide to what the 11+ tests, who sets it, when it happens, and what you need to do before buying a single practice book.
Read more → Study TipsHow Much Should Your Child Practice?
Why 15 minutes a day beats two hours on Saturday - what a realistic preparation week looks like, and how to spot burnout before it sets in.
Read more → AdviceTutors vs Apps: What's Actually Worth the Money?
An honest breakdown of what each does well, when you genuinely need both, and the red flags to watch for when hiring an 11+ tutor.
Read more → Parent GuideHow to Prepare Without Destroying Your Relationship
The 11+ preparation period damages more families than the exam does. A practical guide to keeping it calm, consistent, and survivable for everyone.
Read more → Selective SchoolsHow to Prepare for the Tiffin Test
Tiffin Boys and Girls are genuinely oversubscribed. What the test covers, realistic timelines, how to practice, and when to start without burning out.
Read more → Regional GuidesThe Kent 11+ Test: What You Actually Need to Know
GL Assessment format, which Kent grammars participate, exam dates, scoring, and how familiarisation beats cramming.
Read more → Question BreakdownEvery Verbal Reasoning Question Type (With Examples)
All 21 GL verbal reasoning types explained with examples and tips. Long-form reference guide for pattern recognition and practice.
Read more → Exam FormatsCEM vs GL: How the Two 11+ Exams Differ
GL is predictable; CEM is not. Practical differences in question types, timing, past paper value, and which areas use which exam board.
Read more → Getting StartedStarting 11+ Prep in Year 4
Should you start this early? The honest answer - what Year 4 looks like vs Year 5, building foundations without drilling, burnout prevention.
Read more → Independent SchoolsIndependent School 11+ Exams vs Grammar Schools
ISEB Common Pre-Test, bespoke school papers, interview components, and how independent schools use exam results differently.
Read more → App ComparisonBest 11+ Apps in 2026: An Honest Comparison
Atom Learning, Bond, EdPlace, 11+ Prep - what the main apps actually cost, what they cover, and which suits different families.
Read more → Free ResourcesFree 11+ Practice Online: What's Actually Available
An honest guide to what's genuinely free, what has a catch, and how far free resources will realistically take you.
Read more → Verbal ReasoningVerbal Reasoning Practice for the 11+: What Works
Most children practice VR in the wrong way. Here's what actually improves scores - and the mistakes most families make without realising.
Read more → Home PrepHow to Prepare for the 11+ at Home (Without a Tutor)
A practical weekly structure for home prep - what to do, when to do it, and the situations where a tutor actually adds value.
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