11PlusQuest is an 11+ exam preparation app for children aged 8–11. It covers all GL and CEM English and Verbal Reasoning skills through 40+ interactive game modes, with adaptive AI, exam-date tracking, and a parent progress dashboard.

Does 11PlusQuest cover GL and CEM verbal reasoning?

Yes. 11PlusQuest covers the full GL Assessment question taxonomy (Types A–U) and the CEM verbal skills syllabus, as well as ISEB Independent Schools common pre-test verbal components.

How much does 11PlusQuest cost?

11PlusQuest is £4.99/month or £47.99/year. A 7-day free trial is included with no credit card required.

What age is 11PlusQuest suitable for?

11PlusQuest is designed for children aged 8–11 preparing for 11+ grammar school or independent school entrance exams, typically in Year 4, 5 or 6.

Learn English Vocab AND have fun. WordQuest turns kids and adults into WORD champions through interactive quests, daily challenges, and real progress tracking. Build exam-crushing skills while actually enjoying the journey.

CEM 11+ Exam: What It Is, How It Works & How to Prepare

The CEM 11+ is used by grammar schools in Essex, Hertfordshire, Trafford and other areas. It's deliberately different from GL — here's what that means for preparation.

💡 The core insight: CEM rewards children who actually understand language — not just those who've drilled question types. Wide reading and active vocabulary building are the most effective preparation strategies.

Which Areas Use CEM?

Essex

KEGS, Chelmsford County High, Colchester RGS, etc.

Hertfordshire

Watford Grammar, St Albans Girls, Dame Alice Owen's

Wiltshire

Bishop Wordsworth's, South Wilts Grammar, St Edmund's Girls

Birmingham (some)

King Edward VI Foundation consortium

Shropshire

Shrewsbury High School and others

Trafford

Altrincham Grammar, Sale Grammar and others

Note: Many schools don't publicly disclose their test provider. Always check individual school admissions pages.

CEM vs GL: Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect	GL Assessment	CEM
Question format	Predictable types (A–U). Each type appears separately.	Questions blend comprehension, vocabulary and reasoning in one passage.
Preparation approach	Learn each question type in isolation, then drill speed.	Build deep vocabulary and fast reading. Less format-drilling, more fluency.
Vocabulary testing	Standalone synonym/antonym questions (Types A & B).	Vocabulary tested in context — meaning inferred from passage.
Coachability	High — specific techniques for each type.	Lower — designed to reduce coachability. Rewards genuine language ability.
English paper	Often separate from VR paper (e.g. Kent).	English and VR blended into single integrated papers.
Used in	Kent, Buckinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Gloucestershire	Essex, Hertfordshire, Wiltshire, Trafford, some Birmingham

How to Prepare for CEM: The Right Approach

Read every day — from Year 3

No preparation strategy for CEM is more effective than wide reading. Fiction, non-fiction, newspapers, quality children's books — all build the vocabulary fluency CEM rewards.

Build vocabulary through active use

Don't memorise word lists. Learn words in context: find their synonyms, use them in sentences, understand their nuance. This is what CEM tests — meaning in context, not isolated definitions.

Practise reading comprehension with unfamiliar texts

CEM passages are unfamiliar by design. Speed-reading for meaning, inference, and vocabulary in context are skills that need to be practised — not just tested.

Still do verbal reasoning practice

Even in CEM, verbal reasoning skills (analogies, codes, word relationships) are tested. GL question type practice is still useful — it just shouldn't be the only thing you do.

The Vocabulary App That Works for CEM

11PlusQuest builds vocabulary through game-based, contextual learning — exactly what CEM rewards. Synonyms, analogies, figurative language and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CEM 11+ exam?

CEM stands for the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring, part of Durham University. CEM designs and administers 11+ tests for grammar schools that want a less "coachable" alternative to GL Assessment. CEM papers blend English comprehension, vocabulary and verbal reasoning into integrated passages.

How is CEM different from GL?

GL Assessment uses predictable, labelled question types (A–U) that can be practised systematically. CEM tests are deliberately unpredictable — questions change format year to year, and vocabulary is tested in context within reading passages rather than in isolation. This means broad reading and genuine vocabulary depth matter far more.

Can you prepare for CEM 11+?

Yes — but the preparation approach is different. Rather than drilling GL question types, CEM preparation should focus on: (1) wide reading from Year 3 onwards, (2) building vocabulary through active engagement (games, in-context use, not lists), (3) comprehension practice with unfamiliar texts, and (4) general verbal reasoning practice including analogies, codes and word relationships.

Which counties use CEM for 11+?

CEM is used by grammar schools in Essex (Chelmsford, Colchester, Southend), Hertfordshire, Wiltshire, parts of Birmingham (KE Foundation), Trafford (Greater Manchester), and several other areas. Many schools don't publicly disclose which provider they use — check individual school admissions pages.

Is 11PlusQuest useful for CEM preparation?

Yes. 11PlusQuest builds the vocabulary, word relationship skills, analogical thinking and figurative language that CEM tests — all through game-based practice. Because CEM rewards genuine vocabulary depth over format familiarity, the game-based approach (learning words through use, not lists) is particularly well suited.