GL Assessment 11+ Mock Exams
Realistic GL-style practice tests for grammar school entry in 2026. Timed sections covering English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning with instant results and detailed performance analysis.
What is GL Assessment?
GL Assessment is one of the two main providers of 11+ entrance tests used by grammar schools and selective schools across England and Northern Ireland. It is now part of Renaissance Learning (which acquired GL Assessment in 2023) and has been developing educational tests for decades. GL Assessment tests are used alongside those produced by CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring at Durham University) as the primary 11+ exam formats in the United Kingdom.
The GL Assessment 11+ test is a standardised, multiple-choice examination that assesses children across four key subjects: English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Each subject is tested in a separate timed section, and all answers are recorded on a multiple-choice answer sheet. The standardised format means that GL tests follow consistent question types and structures, making it possible for children to familiarise themselves with the format before the exam.
Unlike CEM tests, which draw questions from a larger and less predictable question bank, GL Assessment tests use well-established question types that have been used consistently over many years. This means that targeted practice with GL-style questions is particularly effective. However, GL Assessment does not publish full past papers. They do provide official familiarisation materials with sample questions, but these are limited in scope. This is why practising with realistic GL-style mock exams is one of the best ways to prepare your child for the actual test day.
The GL Assessment 11+ test is typically sat in September of Year 6, although exact dates vary by region. Results are usually released in October, and parents then use these to apply for grammar school places through the local authority admissions process.
GL Assessment 11+ Exam Format
The GL Assessment 11+ test is divided into separate timed sections for each subject. All questions are multiple choice. The exact timing and number of questions can vary slightly by region, but the table below shows the typical format used in most GL Assessment areas.
| Subject | Typical Timing | Question Types | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | Approximately 50 minutes | Reading comprehension, grammar, punctuation, spelling, cloze passages | Multiple choice |
| Mathematics | Approximately 50 minutes | Arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percentages, geometry, data handling, word problems | Multiple choice |
| Verbal Reasoning | Approximately 45 minutes | Synonyms, antonyms, word codes, letter sequences, logic, analogies | Multiple choice |
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | Approximately 45 minutes | Pattern recognition, spatial reasoning, sequences, matrices, odd one out | Multiple choice |
Note: The exact number of questions and time allocated per section can vary between regions. For example, the Kent Test (PESE) uses a specific combination of papers, while other areas may group subjects differently. Always check with your local authority or target school for the precise format used in your area.
Which Regions Use GL Assessment?
GL Assessment is used by grammar schools in many parts of England and Northern Ireland. If your child is applying to a grammar school in any of the following areas, they will sit a GL Assessment-style 11+ test. Knowing which test provider your target school uses is essential so that your child can practise with the correct format. You can explore all available regions and formats on our 11+ mock exams hub.
How to Prepare for a GL 11+ Exam
Effective preparation for the GL Assessment 11+ requires a structured approach that covers all four tested subjects and builds strong exam technique. Here are practical steps to help your child succeed.
1. Start Early and Plan Ahead
Begin preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5. This allows time to cover all four subjects thoroughly without rushing. Create a realistic revision timetable that allocates time to English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning each week.
2. Focus on Verbal Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning is often the subject children find most unfamiliar, as it is not part of the standard school curriculum. Practise the common GL question types including word codes, letter sequences, analogies, synonyms and antonyms. Regular practice builds familiarity and speed.
3. Build Non-Verbal Reasoning Skills
Non-Verbal Reasoning tests pattern recognition and spatial awareness using shapes and diagrams. Practise with GL-style questions covering sequences, matrices, odd one out, and spatial reasoning. Learning to identify the underlying rules in patterns is the key skill.
4. Strengthen Core Maths and English
Ensure your child has a strong grasp of the Year 5 and Year 6 Maths curriculum, including fractions, decimals, percentages, geometry and data handling. For English, focus on reading comprehension, grammar rules, punctuation and spelling. Wide reading helps build vocabulary and comprehension speed.
5. Practise Under Timed Conditions
Time management is critical in the GL 11+ test. Each section has a strict time limit, and children who are not prepared for the pace often leave questions unanswered. Practise with timed exercises and build up to full-length timed mock exams.
6. Take GL-Style Mock Exams
Mock exams are the single most effective way to prepare for the real test. They replicate the full exam experience, build stamina and exam confidence, and provide detailed feedback on strengths and weaknesses. Aim to complete at least three to four mock exams before the actual test day.
Our GL Assessment-style mock exams are designed to replicate the real test as closely as possible. Each mock exam includes separate timed sections for all four subjects, multiple-choice answer format, instant marking with detailed scoring, and a comprehensive performance report showing results by subject and topic.
Frequently Asked Questions About GL Assessment 11+
GL Assessment 11+ tests are used in a number of regions across England and Northern Ireland. Key areas include Kent, Enfield and Barnet in London, Lincolnshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, and parts of Devon including Torbay. In Bromley, Newstead Wood School uses GL Assessment, while St Olave's Grammar School uses its own entrance test. Bexley previously used GL Assessment but switched to Quest Assessments for 2026 entry. In Northern Ireland, the GL-style transfer test is used for grammar school admissions. The specific format and weighting of subjects may vary slightly between regions, so it is important to check the requirements for your target schools.
The GL Assessment 11+ exam tests four core subjects: English (including reading comprehension, grammar, punctuation and spelling), Mathematics (covering the Key Stage 2 curriculum including arithmetic, fractions, geometry, data handling and problem solving), Verbal Reasoning (testing vocabulary, word patterns, logic and language-based problem solving), and Non-Verbal Reasoning (assessing pattern recognition, spatial awareness and abstract reasoning using shapes and diagrams). Each subject is assessed in its own timed section.
The GL Assessment 11+ test is typically sat in September of Year 6, when children are aged 10 or 11. Some regions may hold their tests in early October. Registration deadlines vary by area but are usually in the summer term of Year 5. It is advisable to begin preparation well in advance, ideally from Year 4 or early Year 5, to allow sufficient time to cover all four subjects and build exam technique.
GL Assessment does not release full past papers for the 11+ test. However, they do publish official familiarisation materials, which include sample questions and guidance on the question types and format that children can expect. These familiarisation materials are typically made available through the local authority or school admissions office. To supplement this limited official material, practising with GL-style mock exams is one of the most effective ways to prepare.
Mock exams are an essential part of GL 11+ preparation. They allow your child to experience the full exam format under timed conditions, helping to build familiarity with the question types and reduce anxiety on the actual test day. Mock exams also develop time management skills, which are critical because each section of the GL test has a strict time limit. After completing a mock exam, the detailed performance report highlights specific strengths and weaknesses across all four subjects, enabling you to focus revision on the areas that will have the greatest impact on your child's score.
Prepare for GL Assessment 11+ with Confidence
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