Updated July 2026: This article originally compared GL Assessment and CEM as the two main paper-based 11+ formats. That was accurate historically, but the landscape has changed. CEM stopped supplying paper-based 11+ exams in 2023, most former CEM grammar-school regions have moved to GL Assessment, and FSCE is now a growing third format used by some grammar schools and consortia.

One of the most common sources of confusion for families starting 11+ preparation is this: there is no single 11+ exam. Different regions, and even different schools, use different formats — and preparing for the wrong one is a real problem.

The current picture is no longer simply "GL vs CEM". For grammar-school admissions, GL Assessment is now the dominant provider. CEM still exists, but it no longer offers paper-based 11+ exams. FSCE is a newer not-for-profit format that is being adopted by a growing number of grammar schools and consortia.

GL Assessment

GL Assessment is the most widely used current grammar-school 11+ format. It typically involves recognisable subject sections:

The questions follow predictable formats — the same question types appear repeatedly across different papers, which means GL rewards systematic preparation. If your child knows the question types and has practised them, they are more likely to recognise the format on the day.

GL Assessment is used in: many grammar schools in Kent, Essex, Lincolnshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, and many regions that previously used CEM.

CEM: now online-only, not paper-based grammar-school 11+

CEM was introduced partly as a response to concerns that traditional 11+ papers were too coachable. Historically, CEM papers mixed subjects within papers, placed strong emphasis on reading speed and vocabulary, and used less predictable question formats.

However, the key update for parents is this: CEM stopped offering paper-based 11+ exams in 2023. Most former CEM grammar-school regions have since moved to GL Assessment. CEM still exists, but mainly as an online-only assessment provider rather than a current paper-based grammar-school 11+ provider.

That means older articles and forum posts saying that Birmingham, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Shropshire or parts of Yorkshire "use CEM" may now be out of date. Always check the school or consortium admissions page for the current year.

FSCE: the newer format parents need to know

FSCE stands for Future Stories Community Enterprise. It is a not-for-profit exam provider originally linked to Reading School, and it is now used by a growing number of grammar schools and consortia.

FSCE is not simply a replacement version of CEM. It is structurally different: there are no standalone VR or NVR papers in the traditional GL sense, and the format places more emphasis on English, Maths, Creative Writing and wider Key Stage 2 curriculum knowledge.

For a fuller explanation, read our companion guides: What Is the FSCE 11+ Exam? and Which Grammar Schools Use the FSCE 11+ Exam?

How to find out which format applies to you

The honest answer is: check directly with your target school or your local authority's grammar school consortium. Don't rely on outdated guides online — regions do change providers, and the recent CEM-to-GL and GL-to-FSCE changes show how quickly this can happen.

Most grammar school websites state clearly which exam format they use in their admissions information. If they don't, a quick email to the admissions office will get you an answer.

Does it matter for preparation?

Yes — but less at the foundation stage than in the final months before the exam.

The core skills that selective-school exams test are broadly similar: strong vocabulary, sharp reasoning, solid maths, reading comprehension, accuracy under time pressure, and the ability to write clearly. A child who has genuinely developed these abilities is in a better position whatever format their target school uses.

Where format matters most is in the final 6–12 months of preparation:

  • For GL Assessment: practise the specific question types and learn to recognise them quickly.
  • For FSCE: focus strongly on curriculum Maths, English comprehension, creative writing and applying Key Stage 2 knowledge flexibly.
  • For online CEM where relevant: focus on reading speed, broad vocabulary, mixed-question confidence and time management.

If your child is in Year 3 or 4, don't worry too much about format yet. Build the foundations. The format-specific work comes later, once you have confirmed the current admissions format for your target school.

What 11 Plus Tips covers

Our question bank supports GL Assessment-style preparation, legacy CEM-style skills and FSCE-aware curriculum focus. We cover the core foundations — Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning — while also building reading comprehension, vocabulary, accuracy, problem-solving and creative writing.

When your child is in Year 5 or 6 and you know which format applies, the platform's adaptive difficulty engine helps them focus on the right areas at the right intensity.