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What are GL Assessments?
The 11+ GL Assessments are a series of exams designed to assess students’ abilities for entry into selective secondary schools.
GL Assessments are used mainly for grammar school entrance exams and some independent schools.
GL Assessments 11+ are paper-based, multiple-choice and not adaptive, meaning that all children will sit the same test and the difficulty will not change depending on how many questions your child answers correctly.
The exam is designed to challenge students with strong academic ability, reasoning skills, and work habits, identifying those capable of thriving in a rigorous school environment.
It aims to challenge the top 25% of the year group, including questions on material that may not have been taught in the classroom yet.
What is in the 11+ GL Assessment?
The 11+ GL Assessments cover the following subjects:
English
The English section assesses reading comprehension, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary. Students must demonstrate their ability to accurately interpret texts, infer meaning, and apply grammatical rules. Some tests may also include creative or persuasive writing tasks.
What is in the English section of GL 11 Plus assessments?
Although the structure varies depending on the school, the most common structure is:
- Reading Comprehension: (20–30 minutes)
- Grammar and Punctuation: (10–15 minutes)
- Spelling and Vocabulary: (10–15 minutes)
The entire section of the assessment generally lasts 50 minutes, with some flexibility depending on the structure of the test. Always confirm with the admissions department of your local grammar school or local authority for exact details.
Reading Comprehension
In this section, your child will be expected to read a piece of text, usually a page long (A4) and answer a series of questions based on the text. The text could be an extract from a published modern or classic fictional story, a poem or a non-fiction text i.e. advertisement, biography, diary entry, letter, news article, etc.
The questions will test your child on their understanding of the text, vocabulary, inference, analysis and deduction skills.
Some questions may test understanding of concepts such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, metaphors, personification, and similar language features.
Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling and Vocabulary
Students should be able to identify and correct punctuation, grammar, or spelling mistakes in a passage or sentence.
They also need to accurately answer questions that require them to ‘complete the sentence’.
Maths
The Maths section focuses on numerical reasoning, arithmetic, problem-solving, and applying mathematical concepts from the Key Stage 2 curriculum. Topics include fractions, decimals, percentages, algebra, and worded problems that require logical thinking.
What is in the Maths section of GL 11 Plus assessments?
The maths section of the 11+ GL assessment is 50 minutes long, with 50 questions.
All questions are multiple-choice.
The GL 11+ Maths assessment typically covers the full range of Key Stage 2 topics, including:
Number
- Place value
- Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
- Fractions, decimals, and percentages
- Rounding and estimating
- Negative numbers
Algebra
- Simple equations and expressions
- Number patterns and sequences
Geometry
- Properties of 2D and 3D shapes
- Symmetry, angles, and rotations
- Perimeter, area, and volume
- Coordinates
Measurement
- Units of length, mass, and capacity
- Converting between units
- Time
Statistics
- Reading and interpreting charts, graphs, and tables
- Averages (mean, mode, median, and range)
Problem-Solving
- Multi-step word problem
- Logical reasoning and application of mathematical concepts
Some questions may also challenge students with advanced Year 6 content that they may not yet have studied in school. Always check the specific syllabus for your child’s local area or school.
Verbal Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning tests a student’s ability to process and manipulate language. Questions cover vocabulary, word patterns, letter codes, analogies, and logical deductions. This section evaluates language comprehension and critical thinking skills.
What is in the Verbal Reasoning section of GL 11 Plus assessments?
The 11+ Verbal Reasoning GL paper consists of 80 questions and lasts around 40-50 minutes.
Vocabulary
- Synonyms: Finding words with the same meaning.
- Antonyms: Finding words with the opposite meaning.
- Word Definitions: Identifying meanings of words in context.
Spelling and Grammar
- Identifying incorrect spellings.
- Completing sentences with appropriate words.
Word Relationships
- Analogies: Completing sentences like “Dog is to Bark as Cat is to ______.”
- Matching Pairs: Identifying relationships between word pairs.
Letter and Word Patterns/ Sequences
- Spotting missing letters.
- Rearranging letters to form a word.
- Identifying words that fit into a sequence or group.
- Identifying sequences in letters or words.
- Completing missing elements in a series.
Code Breaking
- Understanding patterns where letters or numbers are replaced by codes.
- Deciphering coded messages.
Logical reasoning
- Logical deduction based on a sequence of statements.
- Solving riddles or puzzles that involve reasoning.
Comprehension
- Reading passages and answering questions to test understanding.
- Inference questions based on written information.
Homophones and Confusing Word
- Tests the ability to distinguish between similar-sounding words.
- Focuses on words with different meanings and spellings, such as “their” and “there.”
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning assesses spatial awareness, pattern recognition, and problem-solving using shapes and diagrams. Students must identify sequences, mirror images, rotations, and logical connections between figures. This section tests reasoning skills that do not rely on language.
What is in the Non-Verbal Reasoning section of GL 11 Plus assessments?
The 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning GL paper comprises 80 questions split into 4 sections.
Each section should take 10 minutes.
They focus on assessing a student’s ability to understand, analyse, and solve problems involving visual information. These questions often involve shapes, patterns, and spatial relationships.
Common types of questions include:
Sequences
- Students must identify the next shape or pattern in a sequence. They analyse how the shapes change based on rotation, reflection, shading, or size.
Odd One Out
- Students are given a group of shapes or patterns and must identify the one that doesn’t belong based on differences in size, shape, shading, rotation, or position.
Analogies
- These involve comparing relationships between pairs of shapes or patterns.
For example: Shape A is to Shape B as Shape C is to ?
Matrices
- A grid of shapes is presented with one missing. Students determine the relationship between shapes in rows and columns to identify the missing shape.
Reflections
- These questions test symmetry and reflection. Students identify how a shape looks when reflected in a mirror or flipped horizontally/vertically.
Rotations
- Students must determine how a shape would look if it were rotated a specific number of degrees clockwise or counterclockwise.
Codes
- Shapes are represented by a set of codes or symbols. Students must decode the pattern and apply it to answer questions.
3D Shapes and Nets
- These questions test spatial awareness. Students might be asked to match a 3D shape to its net or predict how a shape looks when folded.
Embedded Figures
- Students locate a smaller shape that is hidden within a larger, more complex design.
Completing the Picture
- A partial shape or pattern is shown, and students must choose the correct piece that completes it.
Common Question Types for Non-Verbal Learning
Odd One Out
Identify the image that does not belong in a group based on shared characteristics. Example features:
- Shape type (e.g., squares vs. circles).
- Shading (e.g., solid vs. striped).
- Orientation (e.g., rotated shapes).
Sequences
Find the next shape in a sequence by spotting patterns. Patterns can involve:
- Movement (e.g., clockwise rotation).
- Adding or removing features (e.g., extra lines or shapes).
- Alternating designs.
Analogies
- Determine the relationship between two shapes and apply it to a new pair. Example: “Shape A is to Shape B as Shape C is to ____?” What relationships could this involve?
Transformations (e.g reflection, rotation, enlargement) or changes in shading, size, or orientation.
Embedded Figures
Find a specific shape hidden within a larger, complex diagram. This requires scanning for partial or rotated matches.
Matching Pairs
Identify which shape matches or completes another shape based on given criteria. This often involves:
- Symmetry or reflection, or fitting pieces together.
Shape Grids
Complete a grid where rows and columns follow a logical rule. May include progressions (e.g increasing number of sides or dots). Or alternating colours or designs.
Rotations and Reflections
Identify how a shape changes when it is rotated, flipped, or mirrored. Requires understanding spatial manipulation.
3D Shapes
Work with cubes, nets, or other three-dimensional figures. Example questions…
- Which net folds into a given cube?
- Which cube matches a given flat pattern?
When is the GL 11 Plus assessment taken?
The 11+ GL assessment is usually taken in September of the child’s final year of primary school. The results are typically available to parents in October, allowing them to apply for secondary schools.
How to prepare for GL assessment?
Preparing for the GL 11+ assessment is an important milestone for your child’s educational journey. A structured approach can help them navigate the challenges of the exam with confidence and ease. Here’s how to get started.
Understand the Exam Format
The GL 11+ tests assess skills in English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Each subject requires targeted preparation, so it’s vital to familiarise your child with the topics and question types early on.
Create a Study Plan
- Start Early: Many parents begin preparation in Year 4 to allow ample time to cover the curriculum and build confidence. Starting at least 6–12 months in advance is ideal.
- Regular Practice: Dedicate consistent time each week to each subject, gradually increasing intensity as the exam approaches.
- Balance Workload: Mix new learning, targeted review of weak areas, and timed practice tests to simulate exam conditions.
Focus on Key Areas
English
- Comprehension: Help your child practice extracting information and answering questions about passages.
- Vocabulary: Enhance their word knowledge with flashcards or apps like Quizlet.
- Spelling and Grammar: Review rules and encourage them to write accurately.
Maths
- Core Topics: Cover arithmetic, geometry, algebra, and problem-solving thoroughly.
- Mental Maths: Build speed and accuracy in calculations – mastering timetables is especially important!
- Timed Practice: Use past papers to develop time management skills.
Verbal Reasoning
- Logic Puzzles: Work on analogies, synonyms, and patterns in letters and words.
- Techniques: Teach strategies for eliminating incorrect answers efficiently.
Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Shape Patterns: Practice identifying sequences, rotations, and reflections.
- Spatial Awareness: Use puzzles to develop visual reasoning skills.
Practice Papers: A Must
Completing practice papers is essential for success. They help your child:
- Develop time management skills.
- Get comfortable with the format and structure of the test.
- Analyse mistakes to avoid repeating them.
Prioritise questions, tackling easier ones first and returning to more challenging ones later.
Support Emotional Well-Being
The 11+ can be stressful, so it’s important to support your child’s mental and emotional health.
- Encourage regular breaks.
- Maintain a positive and encouraging environment to build their confidence.
- Balance their study schedule with hobbies and downtime to keep them motivated.
Seek Professional Support
If you’re feeling unsure or overwhelmed, professional guidance can make all the difference.
At Sparkling Minds Tuition, we offer:
- Expert Tuition: Tailored one-on-one sessions.
- Workshops: Focused on key skills and exam strategies.
- Comprehensive Resources: Designed to support your child at every stage of their preparation.
The Sparkling Minds Difference
We believe every child deserves the best chance to shine. With a combination of consistent practice, breaking down topics, proven strategies, and a focus on well-being, we help students approach the GL 11+ assessment with confidence and resilience.
👉 Ready to start your child’s 11+ journey?
Contact us today to explore how we can help!
