As you navigate the 11+ landscape, you’ll quickly encounter the “alphabet soup” of exam providers: GL, CEM, ISEB, and more. For many years, the two dominant players for grammar school entrance exams were GL Assessment and CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring).
While they both aim to test a child’s academic potential, their approach to the English exam is fundamentally different. Understanding this difference is crucial because it dictates the skills your child needs to develop and the way they should prepare.
Although CEM has recently stopped providing paper-based 11+ exams (with most schools now using GL), many resources, tutors, and schools still refer to the “CEM style.” Understanding what this means will give you a complete picture of the 11+ landscape.
At elevenplus.com, we believe in demystifying the process. This guide will provide a clear, side-by-side comparison of the two English exam styles.
In this definitive guide, you will learn:
- The core philosophy behind each exam provider.
- A clear breakdown of the differences in structure, content, and timing.
- How to determine if your child’s learning style is a good fit for the current GL exam format.
The Core Difference: Predictability vs. Speed
The fundamental difference between the two styles can be summed up in one word for each:
- GL (Granada Learning) = Knowledge: GL exams are known for being straightforward and strongly aligned with the Key Stage 2 national curriculum. They test a child’s deep understanding of English rules and comprehension skills in a structured way.
- CEM = Speed: CEM exams were designed to be more “tutor-proof” and less predictable. They place a huge emphasis on a wide vocabulary, verbal reasoning, and the ability to work accurately under intense time pressure.
Side-by-Side Comparison: GL English vs. CEM English
| Feature | GL Assessment English | CEM English (Legacy Style) |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Highly structured. Typically a long comprehension passage followed by distinct SPaG sections, allowing for focused work. | Mixed and unpredictable. May jump between short texts, vocabulary, and SPaG questions, requiring high mental agility. |
| Content Focus | Strong focus on core curriculum skills: comprehension, grammar, spelling, punctuation. Rewards deep knowledge. | Very heavy emphasis on vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms, and verbal reasoning. Rewards breadth of vocabulary. |
| Comprehension Style | Usually one long, classic text (fiction or non-fiction) with detailed questions, testing reading stamina. | Often uses multiple shorter passages, testing the ability to switch context and understand information rapidly. |
| Timing & Pacing | Challenging but steady. Sections are clearly defined, allowing for methodical work. | Extremely fast-paced. Deliberately designed to test a child’s ability to work quickly under intense pressure. |
| Predictability | High. GL publishes practice materials, so the format is well-known and allows for targeted preparation. | Low. The format was deliberately varied to prevent “teaching to the test,” making preparation more difficult. |
Tailoring Your Preparation: Which Style Suits Your Child?
Since most grammar schools now use the GL Assessment, understanding the skills it rewards is key. By contrasting it with the legacy CEM style, you can see if your child’s natural strengths are a good fit and where to focus your efforts.
A GL-style preparation approach is best for a child who:
- Thrives with structure and a clear plan.
- Is a deep thinker and enjoys getting into the detail of a long text.
- Benefits from methodical practice and mastering specific curriculum topics.
- Can build stamina to concentrate on a single task for an extended period.
- Your focus should be: Deep comprehension practice (using our P.E.E. method), mastering SPaG rules, and building reading stamina.
A CEM-style preparation approach was better suited to a child who:
- Has an exceptionally wide vocabulary.
- Can think very quickly on their feet and enjoys a fast-paced challenge.
- Is mentally agile and doesn’t get flustered when switching between different types of tasks.
- The focus was: Daily vocabulary building from an early age and extensive practice with timed exercises to improve speed.
[Image: A split-screen graphic showing a typical GL-style comprehension question on the left and a CEM-style synonym question on the right.]
The Current Landscape
It’s important to note again that as of late 2022, CEM no longer provides paper-based 11+ exams. The vast majority of grammar school consortiums, including those in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, now use GL Assessment.
Therefore, for most parents, preparing for the structured, curriculum-focused GL style is the correct approach. Understanding the CEM style is useful for context and for tackling older practice materials, but mastery of the GL format is the key to success in most current 11+ exams.
Ready to start your focused GL preparation?
➡️ Our GL Assessment Practice Packs are specifically designed to mirror the format, style, and content of the real exams, giving your child the most authentic practice possible.
