If your local 11 Plus test has changed from CEM to GL Assessment, do not restart preparation from zero. Core English, maths, vocabulary and problem-solving skills still matter. The important change is to check the current local format, identify the GL question types your child has not met and practise the answer-sheet method they will actually use.
This guide explains what a move from CEM to GL means in practical terms, using Redbridge as a current example.
There is no single national GL 11 Plus format. GL supplies tests to different admissions authorities, but the combination of subjects, number of questions and timings can vary by area. Always use the current council, consortium or school guidance for your child’s target exam.
What is the difference between CEM and GL?
CEM and GL Assessment are test providers. Both have been used for selective-school entrance testing, but parents should not treat the names as complete descriptions of an exam. The admissions authority decides which provider and local test arrangement to use.
| What may change | What parents should do |
|---|---|
| Question types | Compare official familiarisation material with the resources already being used. |
| Paper structure | Check which subjects are combined and whether sections are separately timed. |
| Answer method | Practise transferring answers accurately to the correct answer sheet. |
| Balance of content | Spend more time on locally relevant question types without abandoning strong foundations. |
What does the current Redbridge GL test include?
For September 2027 entry, Redbridge Council states that the test is provided by GL Assessment and consists of two papers:
- English and Verbal Reasoning
- Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning
The council also warns that general GL familiarisation material may not exactly match the local test’s number of questions, question types or difficulty. That is why parents should use official material for familiarity and a broader preparation plan for skill development.
What preparation can stay the same?
- Regular reading and discussion of unfamiliar vocabulary.
- Secure arithmetic, fractions, measures and multi-step problem-solving.
- Careful comprehension and accurate use of grammar.
- Logical thinking, pattern recognition and explaining how an answer was found.
- Reviewing mistakes instead of simply counting completed pages.
These foundations transfer between test providers and also support a child’s wider schoolwork.
What should change when moving to GL?
1. Map the exact local paper
Write down the subjects, paper combinations, answer method and current guidance for the target area. Do not use a neighbouring council’s format as a substitute.
2. Identify unfamiliar reasoning types
GL verbal and non-verbal reasoning can include question formats that children may not regularly meet at school. Begin with a clear explanation, then short untimed practice, followed by mixed and timed work.
3. Practise multiple-choice answer sheets
Knowing the answer is not enough if it is marked in the wrong row. Practise checking the question number, filling the intended box clearly and recovering calmly if one question is skipped.
4. Use full papers later
Topic practice teaches the method. Full papers test whether the child can recognise and apply it under time pressure. Use both, in that order.
Build the reasoning skills that Redbridge tests
Verbal Reasoning Book 1
Structured practice for word, letter and logic-based reasoning.
Non-Verbal Reasoning Book 1
Learn common visual patterns before moving to mixed papers.
3D and Spatial Papers
Focused plan-view, elevation, net and compound-shape practice.
GL Set 1 Mixed Papers
Mixed English, maths and reasoning practice after the methods are secure.
Want to try a question type first? Visit our free 11 Plus reasoning PDF hub. On paid product pages, choose Digital Download where available for the PDF edition.
Watch a current spatial-reasoning tutorial
This tutorial demonstrates how to approach plan views, also called bird’s-eye or top-down views. It is one example of why children need to learn a method before attempting a timed mixed paper. See more worked examples on the Redbridge Tuition YouTube channel.
Frequently asked questions
Are old CEM books now useless?
No. English, maths and broader thinking practice can still be educationally useful. However, a book designed around question types that are absent from the target exam should not dominate the final preparation stage.
Does every GL area use the same paper?
No. GL Assessment advises families to check the relevant admissions authority because local tests vary. Use the exact current local guidance and do not rely only on the logo on a book cover.
Should my child only practise questions that appear in the exam?
Not throughout the whole preparation period. Broad reading, vocabulary and problem-solving build useful foundations. Closer to the test, practice should become more closely matched to the confirmed format.
Where can I get official GL familiarisation material?
GL Assessment provides free familiarisation materials. These help children understand the multiple-choice layout, although GL notes that local timings and question numbers may differ.
Choose the next step
Compare current classes and prices, or book a free trial at Loughton or Seven Kings.
View Classes, Times and Prices | Book a Free Trial | Contact Us