The search for free, high-quality practice materials for the CEM 11 Plus exam is a common task for parents preparing their children for selective school entrance in the United Kingdom. The Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring (CEM) is one of the primary providers of 11 Plus assessments, used by numerous grammar schools and selective schools across the country. Understanding the format and accessing reliable practice papers is a crucial step in the preparation process. The provided source materials offer a guide to free resources, including official familiarisation documents, publisher-generated practice papers, and specific information for various schools and consortia that use CEM tests. This article collates and explains the available information, focusing on how UK parents can access these materials at no cost.
The sources indicate that while CEM does not publish past papers in the traditional sense, a range of publishers and educational websites have created practice papers designed to mirror the style and content of CEM assessments. Furthermore, official familiarisation guides are available for specific test formats, such as the CEM Select online test. These resources are typically provided as downloadable PDFs and are often accompanied by answer keys. It is important to note that the CEM exam format can vary significantly between different school consortia and regions, and practice materials should be selected to match the specific test a child will be taking.
Understanding CEM and Its Assessment Format
CEM assessments are designed to evaluate verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and numerical reasoning skills. A key characteristic of CEM papers, as highlighted in the source material, is that they do not split questions into separate, distinct sections for each discipline. Instead, questions from different topics are interspersed throughout the exam, requiring students to switch between different types of thinking quickly. The format is often described as "mixed" or "integrated."
Another important point from the sources is the reported bias in the volume of questions towards verbal reasoning disciplines, particularly vocabulary breadth. This suggests that a strong focus on vocabulary development is a critical component of preparation. Furthermore, the sources caution that CEM can introduce entirely new question types without warning, which underscores the importance of developing core skills and flexible thinking rather than relying solely on memorising specific question formats.
The CEM exam can be delivered in two primary formats: a traditional written paper-based test and an online computer-based test, known as CEM Select. The online test is marked by CEM, while the written test may include elements such as creative writing. The sources provide examples of both formats being used by different schools.
Official CEM Familiarisation Materials
The most authoritative resources available are the official familiarisation materials produced by CEM itself. These guides provide essential information about the exam format, question types, and what to expect on test day. They are the best starting point for understanding the nature of the assessment.
One key resource is the general CEM familiarisation guide. This is described as an "all-in-one booklet" that provides detailed information on Word Choice, Pictures, Comprehension, and Maths. It gives examples of the types of questions students will encounter and is suitable for any child preparing for a CEM test, regardless of the specific school they are applying to.
For schools that use the online CEM Select test, an official familiarisation test is available. This allows students to experience the computer-based interface and the style of questions in a practice environment. The sources mention that this test is particularly useful for applications to schools like Gateways School and The Harvey Grammar School, where the CEM Select format is used.
In addition to the general guide, some specific schools provide their own familiarisation documents. For example, the sources list a "Devon – Torquay Boys’ Grammar School CEM 2019 Entry Familiarisation Guide" as a more up-to-date guide provided by that school. Parents are advised to check the website of their target school for any specific familiarisation materials they may offer.
Publisher-Generated Free Practice Papers
Since CEM does not release past papers, publishers have developed practice materials based on their interpretation of the CEM format. The sources identify several publishers that offer free PDF practice papers. These papers are designed to be representative of what a CEM paper might look like, though they are not official exam papers.
CGP (Coordination Group Publications) is a prominent publisher in the 11 Plus space. The sources note that CGP produces practice papers, and while they typically offer three separate papers for the three disciplines, the actual CEM exam format usually involves two 45-minute papers with a mix of questions from all disciplines. CGP's free resources are mentioned across several sources.
Bond 11 Plus is another major publisher. The sources indicate that Bond offers free familiarisation PDFs. These are likely to be general guides or sample questions rather than full past papers.
Examberry Papers is highlighted as a source of free, downloadable PDF practice papers. Specifically, the sources list "Examberry Papers – Free Non-Verbal Reasoning Paper 1" and a corresponding "Free Non-Verbal Reasoning Pack 1" which includes the test, multiple-choice sheets, and answers. These resources are explicitly noted as being in PDF format with answers provided, and no sign-up or login is required to access them.
School-Specific and Consortium-Based Resources
Many grammar schools and selective schools form consortia to administer the 11 Plus test, often using a common exam board and format. The provided sources include information and links to practice materials tailored for specific school consortia and individual schools that use CEM assessments.
The sources list several consortia and schools for which resources are available: * Bexley Selection Test: The sources mention a "Bexley Selection Test" paper with answers provided on the last page. * Slough Consortium * Trafford Grammar Schools * Shropshire, Walsall and Wolverhampton * Shepway Test: This test is used by schools in the Shepway area, such as The Harvey Grammar School and Folkestone School for Girls. It is described as a test that gives students a second chance to show selective ability, as they only need to achieve the required standard on one of the tests (either the written or online test) to be deemed selective. The written test includes creative writing and other questions, while the online test assesses verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and mathematics. * The Kent Test: While the Kent Test is primarily operated by GL Assessment, the sources provide a detailed breakdown of its format for context. It consists of two 1-hour exams and a 40-minute writing exercise. The first test covers English and Maths, and the second covers Reasoning. All questions are multiple-choice with a separate answer sheet. * Reading Girls’ School: The sources provide practice papers in a similar style to those used by Reading Girls’ School, which uses CEM. They also detail the school's admission criteria, including up to 42 places selected by ability assessed through selection tests. * Gateways School and The Harvey Grammar School: Both are noted to use the CEM Select online test, and the sources provide links to the official familiarisation test for this format.
For each of these, the sources often provide links to practice papers, sample questions, or familiarisation guides that are specifically relevant to the test format used by that consortium or school.
Accessing and Using the Free Resources
The process for accessing these free resources is straightforward, as described in the sources. Most are available as direct downloads from educational websites or publisher pages. The sources emphasise that "no sign up or login is required" for many of the free PDF practice papers, making them easily accessible to all parents.
When using these resources, it is important for parents to: 1. Identify the correct test format: Determine whether the target school uses a paper-based CEM test or the online CEM Select test. This will dictate which familiarisation materials are most relevant. 2. Match practice to the school/consortium: Use practice papers that are designed for the specific consortium or school, as the mix of question types and emphasis (e.g., verbal vs. non-verbal reasoning) can vary. 3. Focus on core skills: As advised in the sources, preparation should focus on developing core skills in vocabulary, comprehension, maths, and reasoning, rather than just practising specific question types. 4. Use official familiarisation first: Start with the official CEM familiarisation guide to understand the exam's structure and expectations.
Conclusion
The landscape of CEM 11 Plus preparation is supported by a variety of free resources, though these are not official past papers. Parents can access a range of materials, from general official familiarisation guides to publisher-generated practice papers and school-specific sample questions. Key sources for these free resources include educational websites like 11plusguide.com, examberrypapers.co.uk, and thecambridgeexams.co.uk, as well as publishers such as CGP and Bond. The most authoritative starting point is the general CEM familiarisation guide, which provides a comprehensive overview of the exam format. For schools using the CEM Select online test, an official familiarisation test is available. It is crucial to select practice materials that align with the specific test format used by the child's target school or consortium, as the CEM exam can vary significantly in its delivery and emphasis.