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Words tested in both exam formatsWhat Is 11 Plus Vocabulary and Why Does It Matter?
11 plus vocabulary refers to the advanced English words that children need to know for grammar school entrance exams in England. Whether your child is sitting a GL Assessment, CEM, or FSCE exam, a strong vocabulary is essential for scoring well in the English and Verbal Reasoning sections. Our free 11 plus vocabulary list contains 565+ carefully selected words that commonly appear in grammar school entrance exams, each with a definition, example sentence, synonyms, antonyms, memory tip, and British audio pronunciation. You can download the full list as a free printable PDF or browse it letter by letter using the A–Z above.
How Is Vocabulary Tested in the 11+ Exam?
Vocabulary is tested differently depending on the exam board your child's school uses:
GL Assessment
Tests vocabulary through Verbal Reasoning questions — synonyms, antonyms, odd-one-out, closest meaning, and word connections. Children must identify words with similar or opposite meanings under timed conditions.
CEM (Durham University)
Tests vocabulary through English comprehension and cloze passages. Children must understand word meanings in context, choose the best word to complete a sentence, and infer meaning from surrounding text.
Creative Writing
Many grammar schools include a creative writing task. Children with a wider vocabulary can use more precise and expressive language, which earns higher marks for style and word choice.
Want to see how vocabulary is tested in real exam conditions? Try our free 11+ practice tests — with instant marking and explanations for every question.
Tips for Building Your Child's 11 Plus Vocabulary
1
Read widely
Encourage your child to read a variety of books, newspapers, and magazines. Exposure to new words in context is the most natural way to build vocabulary.
2
Learn 5-10 new words per day
Use our word list to learn a small number of words each day. Practise using them in sentences to help with retention and understanding.
3
Focus on synonyms and antonyms
GL Verbal Reasoning heavily tests synonyms and antonyms. When learning a new word, always learn at least two synonyms and one antonym alongside it.
4
Play vocabulary games
Our 6 free interactive games make vocabulary practice fun and engaging. Regular short sessions (10-15 minutes) are more effective than long, infrequent study.
5
Use a vocabulary journal
Keep a notebook of new words encountered during reading. Write the word, its meaning, and use it in an original sentence.
6
Learn word roots, prefixes & suffixes
Understanding common Latin and Greek roots (e.g. "bene" means good, "mal" means bad) helps children work out the meaning of unfamiliar words in the exam.
Frequently Asked Questions About 11 Plus Vocabulary
How many words for 11+?
Aim for 500-1000 advanced words. Our list covers the most tested words in GL & CEM exams.
Do you have vocabulary games?
Yes! We have 6 free interactive games including Word Match, Synonym Snap, and Speed Quiz.
Works for GL and CEM?
Yes! Our words are tested in both exam formats, categorised by difficulty level.
Is it really free?
Yes, 100% free! All words, games, and features - no registration required.
For independent schools too?
Absolutely! Perfect for both grammar school and independent school entrance exams.
Best way to learn vocabulary?
Combine reading, using words in sentences, learning synonyms, and playing our vocabulary games.
How is vocabulary tested in the 11+?
GL exams test through verbal reasoning (synonyms, antonyms, word connections). CEM exams test through comprehension and cloze passages.
What age to start vocabulary prep?
Year 4 (age 8-9) is ideal to start. This gives 1-2 years to build a strong vocabulary before the 11+ exam.
Vocabulary Is Just the Start
The 11+ tests English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Get access to practice tests, mock exams, interactive lessons and progress tracking across all four subjects.