11+/CEM
Introduction
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GL Assessment (previously known as NFER) and the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring (CEM) provide examinations and assessments for pupils gaining entry into grammar schools or other academically selective institutions. If your child is applying for a selective place, you should contact the individual school who will be able to offer further guidance on their admissions. It is also a good idea to visit each school with your child to get a better feel and see if it is the right environment for them.
The 11+
The 11+ is a standardised examination. Candidates are tested on English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Pupils will generally sit the 11+ in the autumn term of their final year in primary school (Year 6).
Grammar Schools in Cheshire
There are 4 grammar schools in Cheshire.
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Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Altrincham
Altrincham Grammar School for Girls,Altrincham
Loreto Grammar School, Altrincham
St Ambrose College, Altrincham
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​These are state-funded secondary schools with a strong focus on academic achievement. To register for the 11+ exam in Cheshire, you need to apply through the individual schools or the relevant local authority (Cheshire East or Cheshire West and Chester). A few grammar schools also have intake into Year 8 and Year 9 (known as late transfer) and test pupils with an equivalent 12+ or 13+ exam.
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Here is a comparison table for the entrance exams at the four schools:​​​
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Altrincham Grammar School for Boys (AGSB)
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Assessment Provider
​GL Assessment
Subjects/Format
​English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning (standard GL format). The entrance examination will consist of two tests, each approximately 60 minutes in length.
Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (AGGS)
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Assessment Provider
​GL Assessment
Subjects/Format
​English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning (standard GL format). The entrance examination will consist of two tests, each approximately 60 minutes in length.
Loreto Grammar School
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Assessment Provider
​Combination of GL Assessment
+ school written papers
Subjects/Format
​GL Assessment papers in Verbal Reasoning (50 minutes) and English (45 minutes) with school-written maths exam (45 minutes).
St Ambrose College
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Assessment Provider
​Combination of GL Assessment
+ school-written papers
Subjects/Format
​GL Assessment paper in Verbal Reasoning (50 minutes) – multiple choice, with school-written papers in English (35 minutes) – multiple choice, and maths (35 minutes) – multiple choice.
GL Assessments are based on the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum. Test papers are presented as a question booklet with a pre-printed answer sheet.
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Students should familiarise themselves with the multiple-choice layout of the test, content and examples of some types of questions they will face. ​​
Some schools administer multiple papers on the same day with short breaks, while others spread them out over different days. The test scores will be standardised according to age. ​​​​Grammar school places are then offered according to the individual school's admissions policy.
Independent Schools in Cheshire
There are a range of independent schools in Cheshire covering mixed schools, schools for boys and schools for girls.
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Alderley Edge School for Girls, Alderley Edge
Hulme Hall Grammar School, Stockport
Stockport Grammar School, Stockport
The King's School, Maccesfield
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Entry Requirements
Selective schools have the autonomy to design and administer their own entrance exams, often referred to as the 11+ test. While many use elements of verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English, and mathematics, the specific format, content, and weighting of these components can vary significantly between schools. Some independent schools use the CEM (Centre for Evaluation & Monitoring) Select test as part of their 11+ admissions process.​
Please note that although some of the schools listed below are called grammar, they are in fact, independent (fee paying) schools.
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​Here is a comparison table for the entrance exams at the schools:​​​​​​​​​​
Abbey Gate College
Assessment Provider​
GL Assessment
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Subjects/Format
​CAT4 (GL Assessment), with school-written English and maths.
Alderley Edge School for Girls
Assessment Provider​
Internal Entrance Exam
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Subjects/Format
​School's own exam testing in English, maths and reasoning.
Cheadle Hulme School
Assessment Provider​
CEM Select
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Subjects/Format
​Verbal reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, and Numerical Reasoning.
Cransley School
Assessment Provider​
Internal Entrance Exam
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Subjects/Format
​School's own exam testing in English and maths.
Hulme Hall Grammar School
Assessment Provider​
CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test) provided by GL Assessment​
Subjects/Format
​Non-Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Spacial Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning.
Stockport Grammar School
Assessment Provider​
Internal Entrance Exam
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Subjects/Format
​School's own exam testing in English, maths and verbal reasoning.
The Grange School
Assessment Provider​
Combination of Internal Exam and CEM Select
Subjects/Format
​School's own exam testing in English, maths and verbal reasoning.
The King's School, Chester
Assessment Provider​
Internal Exam and CEM Select
Subjects/Format
​School's own exam testing in English and maths and CEM Select.
The King's School, Maccesfield
Assessment Provider​
Internal Exam
Subjects/Format
​School's own exam testing in English, maths and verbal reasoning.
The Queen's School, Chester
Assessment Provider​
Internal Exam
Subjects/Format
​School's own exam testing in English, maths and non-verbal reasoning.
What is CEM?
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CEM Select Is a computer-based entrance assessment. CEM Select 11+ and 13+ are held depending on the school's admissions process. CEM Select is highly time-pressured examination with six sections that have a combined time limit of 60 minutes. Unlike other online assessments such as the ISEB Common Pre-Test (CPT) and the Secondary Transfer Test (STT); CEM Select is non-adaptive. This means that the questions are pre-selected; candidates will see the exact same questions throughout the test. They can also move back through the questions to double-check their answers.
What different question formats do CEM use?
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There are three different question types in the test:
1. Multiple choice
Multiple-choice questions make up the vast majority of the CEM Select test. Candidates will need to use their mouse or trackpad to select the correct answer from a group of options shown on the screen. The option selected will be highlighted in yellow.
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2. Drag and drop
Candidates will need to use their mouse or trackpad to drag one of several options and drop it into the correct place on the screen.
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3. Auto-complete
Candidates will need to type the correct letters into each answer to auto-complete the word. If they type the incorrect letters, it will not auto-complete.
This familiarisation test will help your child understand the different question formats.
What is CAT4?
CAT4 stands for Cognitive Abilities Test, Fourth Edition.
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CAT4 is a computer-based entrance assessment. The test duration is 45 minutes.
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CAT4 assesses how students think and learn, rather than what they have learned from the curriculum.
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Four Key Areas are tested:
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Verbal Reasoning: Evaluates the ability to understand and reason with words.
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Non-Verbal Reasoning: Assesses the ability to solve problems using shapes, diagrams, and other visual representations.
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Quantitative Reasoning: Measures the ability to use numerical skills to solve problems.
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Spatial Reasoning: Assesses the ability to think about objects in three dimensions and understand spatial relationships.
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After completing the tests, each pupil's scores will be age-standarised to take into account how well they have performed and their date of birth at the time of the exam. Each school has their own secure account through which they access the assessment and results, which are made available to them within 72 hours of when the candidates take the tests. While most schools share CAT4 results, some may share them on request or not at all, depending on their policies. Whereas, parents will not see their CEM Select results. As every school will have its own Planned Admission Number (PAN), the 'pass mark' or 'required standard' will vary depending on how many pupils the school can admit into that year group. This means there is no universal pass mark.
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SEND Pupils
CEM Select Entrance Assessments allow 25% extra time for SEND pupils.
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If you have any further queries, please contact the school where your child will be sitting the CEM Select examination.
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