Home › CEM 11+ guide
CEM-style 11+ mock papers
CEM, part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, wrote the 11+ for many grammar school areas for years. It stopped setting grammar school 11+ tests after the autumn 2022 round, so it’s worth knowing what that means before you buy CEM-style practice.
Independent practice papers in the CEM style — not official CEM papers.
What happened to the CEM 11+
What changed
CEM no longer sets 11+ tests for grammar schools. The last CEM grammar school tests were sat in autumn 2022, for September 2023 entry.
Where those areas went
Most former CEM areas now use GL Assessment or a test set by their own consortium of schools. Always check your local admissions page for your child’s entry year.
What CEM was known for
Short time limits, papers that mixed verbal, numerical and non-verbal questions together, and a strong focus on vocabulary — synonyms, antonyms and cloze passages.
Cambridge Select Insight
Cambridge now offers an online entrance assessment called Cambridge Select Insight (formerly CEM Select), used by some independent schools. It is a different test from the old CEM 11+.
What’s in our CEM mock sets
There are 13 complete sets, A to M. Every set contains these papers, all timed and marked the moment your child finishes, with a worked explanation for every question and a breakdown by topic.
| Paper | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 — Verbal & Numerical | 50 | 30 min |
| Paper 2 — Comprehension & Verbal | 45 | 30 min |
| Paper 3 — Non-Verbal & Vocabulary | 44 | 25 min |
| Whole set | 139 | 85 min |
How our papers compare to the real test
Tips for practising
- Check the test first. Find out which provider your area or school uses for your child’s entry year. CEM-style papers work best as extra speed and vocabulary practice alongside papers in your real test’s format.
- Build vocabulary daily. Synonyms, antonyms and word puzzles carry a lot of marks in our CEM-style papers, and vocabulary helps in comprehension in every test.
- Train speed. Our CEM-style papers allow about 36 seconds per question in Paper 1. Practising at that pace makes the timing of other tests feel more comfortable.
- Expect the unexpected. Question types are mixed and change from paper to paper, which trains your child not to panic when something unfamiliar appears.
Questions parents ask
Does the CEM 11+ still exist?
Not for grammar school entry. CEM stopped setting 11+ tests for grammar schools after the autumn 2022 round, and those areas moved to other providers, mostly GL Assessment.
So why do you still sell CEM-style papers?
Because the skills they train — speed, vocabulary and coping with mixed question types — are useful for any 11+ test, and many tutors still use CEM-style practice for exactly that. We say this plainly so you can decide whether they suit your child.
Are these official CEM papers?
No. They are independent practice papers in the CEM style. We are not connected with Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
Try a free sample first
Every CEM paper has a free sample, so your child can try the format before you buy.