GL Assessment provides 11+ exams for over 80% of grammar schools in England. If your child is taking a GL test, it’s important to understand what’s involved and how to prepare.
We've got all the information you need to know here, including free resources to help your child prepare.
What is GL Assessment?
GL Assessment is a test provider that creates 11 plus exams. Their exams are used by most UK grammar schools, and some independent schools, to decide which children will be offered a place.
GL exams used by grammar schools are paper-based and non-adaptive. This means that all students are given the same questions, and the difficulty doesn’t change depending on the answers your child gives.
The 11+ is meant to be challenging. It identifies children in the top 25% of the year group.
What subjects are on GL Assessment 11+ papers?
GL 11+ papers cover four subjects:
Not all schools and regions use every subject. They can combine any of the papers with their own test content.
The English and maths papers are based on the Key Stage 2 curriculum, including some Year 6 content your child may not have learned yet.
English
The GL Assessment English paper structure varies, but the most common format is:
A reading comprehension text with 25 questions
Three spelling, punctuation and grammar sections with 8–10 questions each
Reading comprehension
In the reading comprehension section, your child will read a text about two pages long. They’ll then answer questions to show their understanding of the passage.
The questions test skills like inference, deduction, and understanding of vocabulary. The text could be fiction, non-fiction, or poetry, traditional or contemporary, so familiarity with vocabulary across different genres is helpful.
All example questions shown in this article are from GL Assessment 11+ practice papers on Atom. They show the level of challenge and common question formats.
Spelling, punctuation and grammar
There are different types of spelling, punctuation and grammar questions on the GL test. These include:
Complete the sentence - your child chooses the correct word or phrase to fill a gap so the sentence is grammatically accurate.
Spot the mistake - a sentence is given with an error in spelling, punctuation, or grammar, and your child must find or correct it.
Maths
Most GL 11+ tests include a maths paper with 50 questions to answer in 50 minutes. It helps if your child can work with numbers quickly and confidently. Learn how to prepare for 11 plus maths here.
The questions follow the Key Stage 2 curriculum and cover:
Number
Measurement
Data
Algebra
Geometry
The ‘number’ questions come up most often – there are usually five times more number questions than any other type.
All questions are multiple choice. For more information on how to fill in 11+ answer sheets correctly, read our step-by-step guide for parents.
Verbal reasoning
The verbal reasoning paper tests how well your child can spot patterns and work with words. There are usually around 80 questions.
To do well, your child needs a wide vocabulary and confidence using words in different situations. This section often suits children who enjoy reading, writing, or subjects like English and history.
Some question types can feel tricky at first. It’s a good idea to familiarise your child with the different types of verbal reasoning questions early on.
Top tip: Knowing synonyms (words that mean the same) and antonyms (opposites) can really help, find free worksheets to support this here.
Non-verbal reasoning
Non-verbal reasoning tests how well your child can solve problems using pictures and patterns. They’ll need to spot rules, work out sequences, and think logically.
GL’s non-verbal reasoning paper usually has 80 questions, split into four sections of 20. Each section is timed separately, and all children move on to the next section at the same time.
Get top tips for non-verbal reasoning here.
Try Atom’s free GL Assessment course
Is your child taking the 11+? Help them prepare with Atom's free 11+ course.
You'll get English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning lessons sent straight to your inbox. Each lesson includes a downloadable practice paper in the style of GL Assessment 11+ exams, so your child can put thought into action!
Ready to get started?
Fill out the short form below and we'll send Lesson 1 straight to your inbox.
How is the GL Assessment 11+ scored?
Your child’s scores from each paper are added together to give a total score. Some subjects may count for more than others. The total is then age-standardised, so that younger children aren’t at a disadvantage.
There is no set pass mark. Each school decides its own qualifying score, and some areas are more competitive than others. Find out more about grammar schools in your area.
Atom’s 11 plus practice papers show your child’s standardised age score (SAS). For grammar school entry, we suggest aiming for a score of at least 120.
How many questions are on GL Assessment 11+ tests?
The number of questions and the timing of the test are different between consortia (school groups) and individual schools.
Aside from school-specific variations, 'standard' GL Assessment formats are:
English: 49–56 questions in 50 minutes
Maths: 50 questions in 50 minutes
Verbal reasoning: 80 questions in 60 minutes
Non-verbal reasoning: 80 questions in 60 minutes
How to prepare for GL Assessment 11+ exams
It’s best to start preparing as early as possible, from Year 3 onwards. Starting early and practising in short, regular sessions helps reduce stress and build confidence.
Build curriculum knowledge
It’s tempting to jump straight into past papers, but that can be discouraging. Your child will make better progress by first building a strong understanding of the topics covered in the 11+.
Practise exam technique
Once your child feels confident with the content, start using 11 plus practice papers. This will help them get used to GL-style questions and timing and build time management skills.
Celebrate progress
To keep motivation high, celebrate small wins - like finishing a topic, trying a new question type, or improving a score. Breaks and rewards keep revision positive and engaging.
Support wellbeing
The 11+ can feel overwhelming at times. Talk to your child about how they’re feeling, keep things calm, and use tools to help manage any test-day nerves.
Prepare for GL 11+ exam success with Atom
Is your child applying to a grammar or independent school? Prepare for the GL 11+ exam the smart way with Atom Home.
With expert-designed resources tailored to the GL assessment, Exam Prep Plus subscribers can access the ultimate package to prepare for 11+ exams.
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Unlimited practice papers, with different questions in each download.
An exam plan covering the exam curriculum for all your child's target schools.
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Everything you need to ace the 11+
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