What is the CEM 11+ exam?

Originally created by Durham University, the CEM 11+ exam has become more popular with grammar schools who fear that the existing 11+ exam system had become too transparent. The CEM exam has been designed to address concerns over question spotting and ‘teaching to the test’.

To tackle these issues the CEM 11+ differs from the GL 11+ exam, with a very different exam format and a perceived increase in the level of difficulty.

For more detailed information about the CEM 11+ exam, read our blog ‘11+ exam boards: CEM vs GL – what’s the difference?’.

How long does it take to study for CEM?

The CEM exam is purposefully designed to make exam preparation difficult. There are many different question types and the exam board introduces new question styles regularly in order to make the content of the papers unpredictable. With this in mind, it is important to start preparing for CEM exams early. Bond provides CEM resources from age 8-9 through to age 10-11.  If you are thinking about CEM preparation before Year 4, you may wish to familiarise your child with problem-solving and Key Stage 2 maths, and ensure they are reading widely. Try our Bond Placement Tests to establish your child's strengths and weaknesses in English, maths, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning and tailor their CEM preparation from there.

What is a good score on the CEM test?

For CEM tests, there are no past papers available to view. Usually, the exam is made up of two 45-minute papers, but this can vary depending on the local authority and school. It is also important to note that your child’s result will not be given as a raw mark but a standardised score. This is because there are a set a set number of places for each school and the schools can’t offer over what they have available. This means that the pass mark is moveable. When completing Bond practice papers, children scoring 85% are working at a good level for the 11+, although this is, of course, not a guarantee that they will perform this way in the actual exam. It is therefore very important to go back over all the mistakes your child makes in 11+ preparation.

Are CEM tests hard?

CEM tests are believed to be more academically challenging exams. This is because they often require the child to draw on a broad vocabulary. These tests also feature questions phrased in a more complex way. Additionally, as there are no past papers to prepare from, and the content is variable, they are harder to predict. The questions often require the child to utilise many skills. For CEM tests, your child needs to be able to think logically and systematically, have strong numeracy skills and a firm grasp of spellings and grammar, and be able to unpick complex comprehension passages.

How Bond can help you prepare for the CEM 11+ exam:

Our range of CEM online test practice materials and exam papers are designed to help support you throughout your 11+ journey, from taking your first steps into assessing your child’s abilities, all the way through to conducting realistic mock exams at home. All aspects of the 11+ are here, including maths, non-verbal reasoning, English and verbal reasoning.

11+ exam practice: Assessment and standard test papers

Bond CEM Assessment Papers – assess and target

• Carefully graded practice papers to assess your child's strengths and weaknesses.
• Provides the widest range of question types for 11+ English and Verbal Reasoning practice in a realistic exam style.
• Practical tips from expert authors and a 'next steps' planner help improve exam skills. Buy now

 Bond CEM Test Papers – develop key exam skills

• Mock test papers simulate the 11+ exam, enabling children to develop the key exam skills of: following instructions, reading the question carefully and time management.
• Covers all question types your children will experience in the real exam.
• Clear explanations for each answer help improve exam skills.
• Tips for exam success, written by leading 11+ tutors and packed with advice to help gain extra marks. Buy now

To find out more, download our free sample CEM practice test.

Supportive learning resources: How to do… guides and the Parents’ Guide

Bond How to do… guides – learn and understand

• Packed with worked examples for each question type so that you can understand how questions should be answered.
• Effective step-by-step strategies and techniques for tackling each type of 11+ Maths and Non-verbal Reasoning questions.
• Practical activities you can do with your child to improve understanding. Buy now

Bond Parents’ Guide – understand the 11+

• The essential manual for all parents whose children are about to embark on their 11+ journey with a new section on the CEM exam.
• Contains unique placement tests, personal learning plans and practical advice
• Written by an experienced 11+ tutor, it offers a practical 4-step approach to guide you through the entire process. Buy now

Engaging Online Revision: Bond Online

Used by thousands of parents and children every year, Bond Online is a fun and engaging way of helping your child prepare for the 11+:

• Unlimited access to thousands of 11+ practice questions.
• CEM-specific tests that will help your child prepare for their actual exams.
• Instant marking and feedback for children and parents.
• Progress reports on each subject and topic. Buy now