How to Prepare for the GL 11 Plus Exam
If your child is targeting QE Boys, Henrietta Barnett, Tiffin, the Sutton grammars (Wilson’s, Sutton, Wallington), Wilmington, the Reading Kendrick School, or many of the other state grammars across England, the 11+ exam they sit will be set by GL Assessment.
Each grammar school chooses which papers to include, but the underlying material comes from GL’s defined question banks. Once you understand how GL works, you can prepare with confidence.
What is GL Assessment?
GL Assessment is one of the UK’s longest standing educational assessment companies. Their 11+ papers are used by the majority of state grammar schools and by some independents. Papers are highly standardised, multiple choice, and built around a defined set of question types.
GL produces papers in four subjects:
- English (comprehension, vocabulary, grammar and punctuation, sometimes spelling)
- Maths (KS2 curriculum content)
- Verbal reasoning (drawn from the standard 21 question types)
- Non verbal reasoning (shapes, sequences, patterns)
Different grammar schools use different combinations. Some use all four. Some use just maths and English. Always check the admissions page of your target school to confirm.
What GL papers actually look like
GL papers are mostly multiple choice, with answers marked on a separate answer sheet. This format has implications for technique.
Multiple choice means strategy matters
If a child cannot find the right answer immediately, they should eliminate clearly wrong options first. Even guessing between two remaining options is better than skipping. Train this habit early.
Separate answer sheets mean care matters
Many marks are lost from misalignment between question and answer sheet. Train the habit of regularly checking that question 23 is actually being marked in row 23 of the answer sheet.
Tight timing means pace matters
GL papers are time pressured. The skill of moving past difficult questions and returning is essential. A child who insists on solving every question in order will run out of time on the easier ones at the end.
Year by year preparation for GL
Year 4: foundations
Reading, vocabulary, times tables, mental maths fluency. No formal GL practice. Light introduction to verbal reasoning in summer term of Year 4 if your child is ready.
Year 5 autumn: systematic teaching
Begin systematic verbal reasoning, working through the 21 standard question types. Begin systematic NVR. Continue English (comprehension, writing) and maths in line with the standard 11+ approach. Roughly one hour per subject per week, including the lesson itself.
Year 5 spring: timed sections introduced
Within each subject, introduce timed sections. Verbal reasoning: 20 questions in 5 minutes. NVR: a full type set under time. Maths: a 15 minute mental maths drill. English: a 30 minute comprehension. Begin first mocks.
Year 5 summer: full timed papers
Full GL style papers in all four subjects, weekly. Mock exams every three to four weeks. Vocabulary work intensifies. Identify weak types in verbal reasoning and NVR; revise to mastery.
Summer holiday: peak intensity
Two to three weeks of focused daily work, around 90 minutes a day, ideally a half term or summer intensive course where possible. Build in proper rest weeks before and after.
Year 6 autumn (the final weeks)
Most state grammars test in early September of Year 6. By that point, prep should be sharp rather than heavy. Daily light practice. Sleep, food, exercise. Calm parents.
GL specific tips that lift scores
1. Master the standard 21 verbal reasoning types
GL verbal reasoning rewards children who recognise question types instantly. Children who have to puzzle out the format of a question lose time before they have even started solving.
2. Train the answer sheet habit
Practise on real GL style answer sheets where possible. The skill of marking the correct row, neatly, while keeping pace, is its own discipline.
3. Use elimination on multiple choice
If a child does not know the answer, eliminate the wrong ones. The probability of guessing correctly from two options is far higher than from five.
4. Practice timing on individual subjects
GL papers can run as separate timed sections. Train pace within each, not just within full papers.
What to use for GL practice
- Bond 11+ workbooks, in their GL aligned format. The most widely used self study resource.
- CGP 11+ papers for additional practice.
- GL Assessment’s own familiarisation guides, available on their website. Use these as your reference for question style.
- Mock exams from a reputable provider, modelled specifically on GL format, sat in person where possible.
What different schools require within GL
Important: not every grammar school using GL uses all four GL papers. A few examples.
- QE Boys (Barnet) currently uses two papers, both maths and English in their own format derived from GL material
- Henrietta Barnett School uses a multiple choice round 1 (maths and English in GL format) followed by a written round 2
- Latymer School uses its own English and maths papers, not pure GL, although the underlying skills overlap
- Tiffin School uses a non standardised maths and English format
- Sutton, Wilson’s, Wallington use GL papers across maths, English and verbal reasoning
- Reading Kendrick School uses GL across maths and English
Always check the current admissions page of your target school to confirm the exam structure for the year your child will sit.
Our weekly workshops follow a GL aligned curriculum across all four subject strands, with weekly homework, regular timed sections, and termly mocks. Children targeting GL grammar schools follow a structured pathway from Year 4 to exam day.
Frequently asked questions
When does my child sit the GL exam?
Most GL grammar schools test in the first weeks of September of Year 6. Registration deadlines fall as early as June and July of Year 5. Exact dates vary by school, so always check each target school's admissions page.
How is GL different from CEM or ISEB?
GL is heavily standardised and uses the 21 verbal reasoning types and a defined NVR structure. CEM (now Cambridge Select Insight) was historically less predictable in question style and emphasised fluency. ISEB is online, adaptive, and used as a pre test before independent school written papers. They are different exams and need slightly different preparation.
Are GL papers harder for children with English as an additional language?
Verbal reasoning and English elements rest heavily on English vocabulary, which can disadvantage EAL children. The fix is the same as for any child: wide reading from a young age, plus systematic vocabulary work. Some schools have policies on EAL applicants; check individual admissions pages.
Can I prepare my child for GL myself without formal classes?
Yes, particularly if your child is in Year 4 or early Year 5 and you have time. By summer of Year 5, when timed papers and mocks become serious, most parents find external structure pays for itself in time saved and emotional weight removed.
What if my child does well in mocks but struggles on the day?
Common, and usually addressable. Often the issue is exam day environment unfamiliarity rather than knowledge. More mock exposure in real conditions, plus calm preparation in the final days, usually closes the gap.
