Does CEM publish past papers?

No. CEM does not publish official past papers, which is intentional. This is done to prevent direct drilling from past papers and to ensure children are assessed on genuine ability. However, several reputable educational publishers produce high-quality CEM-style practice materials, and these are widely recommended for preparation.

What subjects does the CEM 11+ test?

CEM typically tests English and verbal reasoning (combined), Mathematics and sometimes non-verbal reasoning, though the inclusion of non-verbal reasoning varies by region. The English and verbal reasoning section covers comprehension, vocabulary, cloze exercises, synonyms and antonyms. The maths section covers numerical reasoning, arithmetic and problem-solving. The specific combination depends on the local authority or school administering the test.

Why is CEM considered harder to prepare for?

CEM is considered harder to prepare for because it changes its format regularly, does not publish past papers, and places enormous time pressure on children. The vocabulary-heavy nature of the English sections also means that last-minute preparation is ineffective. Children need to have built wide reading habits and strong vocabulary over a sustained period, ideally from Year 4 onwards.

When should my child start preparing for the CEM 11+?

Most families begin laying foundations in Year 4 with wide reading, vocabulary building and arithmetic practice. Targeted CEM-specific preparation with practice papers and timed exercises typically starts from the beginning of Year 5. Given CEM's unpredictable nature, earlier and broader preparation is generally better than intensive last-minute cramming.

How is the CEM 11+ scored?

CEM uses a Standardised Age Score (SAS) with an average of 100. Raw marks are adjusted to account for a child's exact age at the time of sitting the exam, meaning younger children in the cohort are not disadvantaged. A competitive score is generally considered to be around 118–121 or above, but this varies by school and region. Some areas use a pass/fail qualifying system, while others rank all candidates.

11 Plus Exam Provider

CEM 11 Plus

Complete Parent Guide

CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring), based at Durham University, is one of the two main 11+ exam providers in England. Known for its unpredictable format and fast pace, the CEM 11 plus is used by grammar schools across several key regions including Buckinghamshire, Birmingham and parts of the North West.

Durham University ProviderUnpredictable FormatEnglish & Maths FocusStandardised Age Scores

Young student concentrating on a CEM 11 plus practice exercise at his laptop

CEM

CEM Durham

Durham University provider

Multiple Choice

Varies by region

Fast-Paced

Strict time limits

SAS

Standardised Scores

Age-adjusted results

✎

Paper-Based

Not online or adaptive

🌍

Key Regions

Bucks, Birmingham & more

CEM 11 Plus — fast-paced, unpredictable and highly competitive

Know The Provider

What Is CEM?

CEM stands for Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring and is part of Durham University. It is one of the two main providers of 11+ entrance exams in England, alongside GL Assessment. CEM was developed specifically to create a more school-curriculum-based assessment that is harder to prepare for through rote practice and coaching. The format is deliberately varied from year to year to discourage hot-housing and to identify children with genuine academic ability.

CEM is still very much active and continues to be used widely across several grammar school regions. Its papers are considered more unpredictable than GL Assessment, which makes thorough and broad preparation especially important for children sitting the CEM 11 plus.

Coverage

Which Schools & Regions Use CEM?

CEM is used by grammar schools across several important regions of England.

Region	Details
Buckinghamshire	All 13 grammar schools in Buckinghamshire switched to a CEM-style test for their Secondary Transfer Test
Birmingham & West Midlands	Several Birmingham grammar schools including King Edward VI Foundation schools use CEM-based papers
Gloucestershire	Grammar schools including Pate's Grammar use CEM Assessment papers
Warwickshire	Grammar schools in Warwickshire including Alcester and Stratford use CEM tests
Shropshire	Haberdashers' Adams and other grammar schools in the county use CEM-style papers
Cheshire & North West	Several grammar schools in and around Cheshire use CEM-based assessments
Other Areas	Various individual grammar schools and some independent schools across England also use CEM papers

Always confirm with your specific target school whether they use CEM, as formats can change and some schools use a mix of providers.

Exam Structure

CEM Exam Format

One of the most important things to understand about CEM is that the format varies deliberately. The structure can change between regions and from one sitting to the next, which is why broad skills-based preparation is essential rather than drilling one specific layout.

Feature	Details
Answer Format	Typically multiple choice or standard answer, depending on the region and paper
Delivery	Paper-based (not online)
Adaptive?	No — fixed format, all children answer the same questions in the same paper
Number of Papers	Usually 2 papers, though some regions use 3 shorter sections within those papers
Duration	Each paper typically lasts around 45–60 minutes including instructions
Format Variability	CEM deliberately varies question types and section lengths to reduce the effect of coaching
Mixed Subjects	Subjects may be mixed within a single paper rather than each subject having its own paper

What’s Tested

Subjects Covered

CEM typically tests three main areas, though how they are grouped within papers can vary.

English & Verbal Reasoning

Reading comprehension, vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms, cloze (gap-fill) exercises, spelling and verbal reasoning elements are often combined into one section. A wide vocabulary is essential.

Mathematics

Numerical reasoning, arithmetic, problem-solving, data interpretation, shape, space and measures. Questions often test application rather than just calculation, requiring strong reasoning alongside number skills.

Non-Verbal Reasoning

Not always included depending on the region, but where tested it covers pattern recognition, sequences, spatial reasoning and matrix completion. Some CEM regions have removed NVR entirely from their papers.

CEM deliberately blends English and verbal reasoning into a single section. This is different from GL Assessment where subjects are kept separate. Always check your region’s specific subject combination.

Question Types

Typical Question Style

Extreme Time Pressure

CEM papers are notorious for their very tight time limits. Children often cannot finish all the questions and are expected to work through sections extremely quickly. Speed is as important as accuracy.

Unpredictable Mix

Unlike GL, CEM papers do not follow a rigid predictable structure. Different question types appear throughout each paper and the mix can change from sitting to sitting, making broad preparation vital.

Vocabulary-Heavy

CEM places a particularly strong emphasis on vocabulary. Children with wide reading experience and a large word bank have a significant advantage. Vocabulary building should begin well before Year 5.

Results

Scoring & Results

Aspect	Details
Score Type	Standardised Age Score (SAS) with an average of 100 and standard deviation of 15
Age Adjustment	Raw scores are adjusted for the child's age at the time of the exam so older and younger children within the year group are compared fairly
Competitive Score	A score of around 118–121 or above is generally considered competitive, though thresholds vary significantly by school and region
Qualification Method	Some areas use a qualifying threshold (pass/fail), while others rank all candidates and offer places to the highest scorers
Results Delivery	Results are released by the local authority or school, typically in mid-October, ahead of the secondary school application deadline
Transparency	CEM does not publish past papers, which makes familiarisation practice more challenging than with some other providers

Registration

For state grammar schools using CEM, parents register directly with the school or through the local authority rather than through CEM itself. Registration typically opens in the spring or early summer of Year 5 and closes several weeks before the exam date. Some areas automatically register all children living within the catchment area, while others require parents to complete an application form. Out-of-area applicants can usually apply but should check whether any additional steps are needed and must be aware that deadlines can differ from in-area residents. Always visit your local authority or target school website for the most accurate and up-to-date registration guidance, as processes vary considerably between regions.

Key Dates

Exam Dates & Timeline

A typical timeline for the CEM 11+ process, described as recurring patterns.

When	What Happens
Year 4	Begin building strong English foundations — wide reading, vocabulary expansion, arithmetic fluency and basic reasoning skills
Early Year 5	Start targeted CEM-style preparation including comprehension, vocabulary work and numerical reasoning
Spring / Early Summer of Year 5	Registration typically opens — check your local authority or school for exact dates and process
Summer of Year 5	Registration window typically closes — ensure your application is submitted on time
September of Year 6	The CEM 11+ exam is usually sat at the start of the autumn term
Mid-October	Results are typically released to parents by the local authority or school
31 October	Common Application Form deadline for listing preferred secondary schools
1 March	National Offer Day — secondary school places are allocated

Preparation

How To Prepare

Build Vocabulary Constantly

CEM's English and verbal reasoning sections depend heavily on vocabulary breadth. Encourage wide reading across fiction and non-fiction from Year 3 onwards. Introduce a word-a-day habit and use vocabulary games regularly.

Practise Varied Question Types

Because CEM does not publish official past papers, use reputable CEM-style practice materials from publishers such as CGP and Bond. Vary the types of comprehension passages, cloze tests and maths reasoning questions your child encounters regularly.

Train for Speed Under Pressure

CEM is famous for its time pressure. Practise timed sections from early in Year 5 to build pace. Teach your child to skip questions they are stuck on and return to them. Never let them spend too long on one question.

How We Help

Eleven Ace Support

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1:1 Classes

Personalised one-to-one tutoring tailored to your child's specific needs, strengths and target areas. Maximum focus and fastest progress for the CEM format.

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1:4 Group Classes

Small group classes with a maximum of 4 students. Collaborative learning with plenty of individual attention from the tutor at an accessible price point.

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Live Mock Tests

Realistic timed mock tests under CEM exam conditions with detailed feedback and performance reports. Build confidence, speed and exam technique.

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Free Diagnostic Test

Available for Year 2 to Year 5 students. Identifies your child's strengths and gaps so CEM preparation can be targeted from day one.

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Parent Questions

CEM 11 Plus — FAQs

CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) is part of Durham University and is one of the two main 11+ providers in England. The key difference from GL Assessment is that CEM deliberately varies its format to reduce the advantage of coaching. It blends English and verbal reasoning into one section, has extremely tight time limits and does not publish official past papers. GL Assessment follows a more predictable structure with separate subject papers.

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