The 11 Plus and entrance examinations for grammar and independent schools usually use a combination of Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Mathematics and English papers to test students.
There are several types of paper a student may face. Most state grammar schools will test students using multiple choice papers. Students are required to work out their answers and then mark them on a special multiple choice answer grid. The grid is then scanned by a computer and marked. It is really important to practise getting answers correctly onto the grid. There are two providers of multiple choice style questions:
GL ASSESSMENT
GL ASSESSMENT provides nearly all the papers now for 11 plus exams and entrance exams. The papers for entry to a state grammar school tend to be multiple choice and will usually consist of two papers. Each paper takes about 1 hour to complete but each section in each paper is timed separately. This means students will usually have about 10 minutes to complete one part before moving on to the next. The invigilator will time these. The make up of papers in the Trafford area typically looks like this:
Paper A
Verbal Reasoning (likely to include a reading comprehension)
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Mathematics
Paper B
Verbal Reasoning (likely to include a second reading comprehension)
Non-Verbal Reasoning (likely to include spatial reasoning)
Mathematics
GL ASSESSMENT also provides papers which are longer and focus upon one specific subject. Typical lengths and timings are listed below (although these can vary too so always check before you begin preparation) Assessment write papers in two ways. Firstly there are those which are longer and focus upon one specific subject. Typical lengths and timings are listed below (although these can vary too so always check before you begin preparation)
Maths - 50 questions - 50 minutes
English - 50 questions - 35-50 minutes
Verbal Reasoning - 80/85 questions - 50 minutes
Non-Verbal Reasoning 2 x 20 questions - 2 x 10 minutes
Durham CEM
Durham CEM now no longer technically exists as it was acquired by Cambridge University and setting of paper exams from this provider has been stopped. However, there are still some independent schools which use the online format. For this, students may be asked to ask questions on any of the elements mentioned above but as they get more answers correct, the questions become more difficult. Students shouldn't be worried by this.
Many independent schools may also use some aspects of multiple choice papers such as non-verbal reasoning and verbal reasoning but they will often have mathematics and English papers written in standard form. This requires students to work out answers and write them on the papers which are then marked by the school. There are no typical timings here and it is always best to ask each school for copies of past papers or confirmation of which papers students will be required to sit, and how long each will last.
Currently we prepare students in the Greater Manchester area for the schools listed below for face to face tuition but we can help students prepare for examinations in other areas using online tuition. IF you click on any school a link should take you directly to that school's website so you can learn more about it.
Greater Manchester and North West Schools
Alderley Edge Girls' School, Altrincham Girls' Grammar, Altrincham Boys' Grammar, Bolton Grammar Boys, Bolton Grammar Girls, Bridgewater, Bury Grammar Boys, Bury Grammar Girls, Cheadle Hulme, Grange School, Lancaster Royal Grammar, Loreto Grammar, Manchester High School for Girls, The Manchester Grammar School, St. Ambrose College, St. Bede's College, Sale Grammar, Stockport Grammar, Stretford Grammar, Urmston Grammar, Withington Girls' School.
PLEASE NOTE: All classes for students sitting entrance exams in the autumn of 2024 are FULL. If you require more resources to help with your preparation, check out my series of books - Practise and Pass
Bookings for children wishing to begin their tuition in autumn 2024 and autumn 2025 are now open but are filling up fast due to high demand. Please contact us as soon as possible to secure a place for your child.
We now have five dedicated tutors to help students prepare for the 11 plus/entrance exams. We are ALL qualified primary school teachers with current DBS (we've had background checks). Timetables and availability for each tutor are listed below. We are all based in Urmston.
Peter's Groups
Schools Day/time Starts Availability Ends Style
All GL Monday Oct 2024 FULL Sept 2025 F2F
3.45 - 4.45 pm
All GL Monday Oct 2024 FULL Sept 2025 F2F
5-6 pm
All GL Monday Oct 2024 FULL Sept 2025 F2F
6.15-7.15 pm
All GL Tuesday Oct 2024 FULL Sept 2025 F2F
3.45 - 4.45 pm
All GL Tuesday Oct 2024 FULL Sept 2025 F2F
5-6 pm
All GL Tuesday Oct 2024 FULL Sept 2025 F2F
6.15-7.15 pm
All GL Wednesday Oct 2024 FULL Sept 2025 F2F
3.45 - 4.45 pm
All GL Wednesday Oct 2024 FULL Sept 2025 F2F
5-6 pm
All GL Wednesday Oct 2024 FULL Sept 2025 F2F
6.15-7.15 pm
All GL Thursday Oct 2024 Limited Sept 2025 Online
3.45 - 4.45 pm availability
All GL Thursday Oct 2024 FULL Sept 2025 Online
5-6 pm
Clare's Groups
Schools Day/time Starts Availability Ends Style
All GL Monday Oct 2024 FULL Sept 2025 F2F
6-7 pm
All GL Tuesday Oct 2024 FULL Sept 2025 F2F
4.30-5.30pm
All GL Tuesday Oct 2024 FULL Sept 2025 F2F 6-7pm
All GL Wednesday Oct 2024 FULL Sept 2025 F2F
4.30-5.30pm
Chris's Groups
Schools Day/time Starts Availability Ends Style
All GL Monday Oct 2024 FULL Sept 2025 F2F 5-6pm
All GL Monday Oct 2024 FULL Sept 2025 F2F
6.15-7.15pm
All GL Tuesday Oct 2024 FULL Sept 2025 F2F
5-6pm
All GL Tuesday Oct 2024 FULL Sept 2025 F2F
6.15-7.15pm
All GL Wednesday Oct 2024 FULL Sept 2025 F2F
5-6pm
All GL Wednesday Oct 2024 FULL Sept 2025 F2F
6.15-7.15pm
Amy's Groups
Schools Day/time Starts Availability Ends Style
All GL Tuesday Oct 2024 Limited Sept 2025 ONLINE
4.15-5.15pm Availability
All GL Tuesday Oct 2024 FULL Sept 2025 ONLINE
5.30-6.30pm
Keith's Groups
Schools Day/time Starts Availability Ends Style
All GL Wednesday Oct 2024 FULL Sept 2025 ONLINE
4.30-5.30pm
All GL Tuesday Oct 2024 FULL Sept 2025 ONLINE
5.45-6.45pm
Due to demand we have added an extra two classes for autumn 2024. All students need to take an assessment so that we may group them appropriately. Please contact us as soon as possible to secure your child's place:
peter@pjweducation.co.uk or call on 0161 755 3392