← Back to Guides

What Is in the GL 11 Plus? Parent Guide

27 September 2026 · The ElevenReady Team

If you are wondering what is in the GL 11 Plus, the short answer is this: most GL Assessment papers test a mix of English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, though the exact combination varies by area and school. That variation is often the part that catches parents out, so it helps to know both what these subjects mean and how they tend to appear in the exam.

GL Assessment is used by many grammar schools and consortia across the UK, but there is no single national GL paper sat by every child. Some children sit two papers, some more, and the balance of question types can differ. That is why it is always worth checking your local authority, grammar school admissions pages and familiarisation materials alongside your child’s preparation.

What is in the GL 11 Plus exam?

The GL 11 Plus exam usually includes questions from English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. In some areas, these are split into separate papers; in others, they are combined into mixed papers with timed sections.

English questions often cover reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar. Maths usually focuses on the Year 5 and early Year 6 curriculum, with arithmetic, problem solving and basic reasoning. Verbal reasoning tests how well a child works with words, letters and language patterns. Non-verbal reasoning looks at shapes, patterns, sequences and visual logic.

The key point for parents is that GL papers are typically fast-paced. Children need subject knowledge, but they also need to read carefully, switch between question types and manage time sensibly.

What does GL Assessment English test?

GL Assessment English tests reading, vocabulary and core SPaG skills such as spelling, punctuation and grammar. It is not usually about writing long creative answers under exam conditions.

Children may be asked to read a passage and answer multiple-choice questions on meaning, inference or vocabulary in context. They might also tackle synonyms, antonyms, cloze exercises, spelling patterns and punctuation choices.

This can feel different from school English because the questions are often more compressed and time-sensitive. A child may understand a text perfectly well in class but still need practice answering quickly and accurately in a multiple-choice format.

Useful preparation includes regular reading, discussing unfamiliar words, and short bursts of grammar and punctuation practice. If your child reads widely but rushes, slowing down just enough to avoid easy mistakes can make a real difference.

What maths comes up in the GL 11 Plus?

GL 11 Plus maths usually covers number, calculation, fractions, decimals, percentages, measures, shape, space, data and worded problems based on primary-school content. The level is broadly in line with what strong Year 5 and Year 6 pupils are expected to know.

What makes it challenging is less about advanced content and more about speed, accuracy and interpretation. Children need secure number facts, confidence with written and mental methods, and the ability to pull the right method out quickly when a question is wrapped in words.

• Times tables and number bonds need to be fluent.
• Fractions, decimals and percentages should feel connected, not separate topics.
• Word problems need calm reading and careful extraction of key information.
• Checking matters, especially on multi-step questions.

If your child finds maths difficult, start with accuracy before speed. If they are already strong, build in timed practice gradually so they learn to stay precise under pressure.

What are verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning in the 11 Plus?

Verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning are problem-solving papers that test patterns, logic and processing rather than straightforward school subjects. They can feel unfamiliar at first, even for very able children.

What is verbal reasoning?

Verbal reasoning uses words, letters and codes. A child might need to spot letter sequences, complete analogies, find hidden words, solve coded relationships or identify patterns in language. Strong vocabulary helps, but so does learning the common question types.

Many children improve quite quickly once they realise verbal reasoning is not random. It becomes much less daunting when they can recognise the structure of a question and apply a method.

What is non-verbal reasoning?

Non-verbal reasoning uses pictures and shapes. Children may be asked to find the next shape in a sequence, identify rotations and reflections, spot similarities, or choose the odd one out. This is really about visual logic.

For some children, non-verbal reasoning is a pleasant surprise because it feels like puzzles. For others, it is the hardest part because the patterns are not obvious straight away. Either way, explicit practice helps. Once a child learns to look for movement, symmetry, shading and shape changes, the questions become far more manageable.

How is the GL 11 Plus different from school tests?

The GL 11 Plus is different from school tests because it is usually more heavily timed, more multiple-choice and more focused on consistency across a range of question types. A bright child can know the material but still need practice in exam technique.

In class, teachers often reward method, explanation and extended thinking. In the 11+, children also need to cope with pace, answer selection and moving on from a tricky question without getting stuck. That is why preparation should include both learning and familiarity.

It also explains why mocks can be useful later on. They are not essential at the very start, but they can help children get used to the feel of formal timed papers before the real thing.

If you want a broader overview of the format and approach, the ElevenReady guide to how ElevenReady works and our 11 Plus resources for parents are good places to start.

How should my child prepare for each part of the GL 11 Plus?

Your child should prepare for each part of the GL 11 Plus with a balanced routine that builds skills first and then adds timed practice. Cramming lots of papers without understanding the underlying question types is rarely the best route.

1. Check your local exam mix. Confirm whether your target schools use GL Assessment and which subjects are tested.
2. Build foundations. Keep reading, vocabulary work and core maths skills ticking over every week.
3. Teach the question types. This matters especially for verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
4. Add timing gradually. Start untimed if needed, then introduce shorter timed sets.
5. Review mistakes properly. Look for patterns: rushing, weak vocabulary, misreading or method gaps.

A calm, steady approach works better than making home feel like a permanent exam hall. Small, regular sessions are usually easier to sustain, and children tend to respond better when they understand why a paper felt hard.

Parents often feel more settled once they know what is in the GL 11 Plus and can see that each area is teachable. None of it needs to be mysterious. With the right support, most children become more confident simply because the format stops feeling unfamiliar.

If you are comparing schools as well as exams, our grammar school and admissions information can help you organise the bigger picture around preparation.

Common questions

Does every GL 11 Plus include all four subjects?

No. Many GL exams draw from English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, but the exact combination depends on the school or consortium.

Is the GL 11 Plus harder than SATs?

It is different rather than simply harder. The content may overlap with primary school, but the pace, multiple-choice format and reasoning question types can feel more demanding.

When should Year 5 children start preparing?

That depends on the child and the local test date, but most families do best with steady preparation in Year 5 rather than a last-minute rush in Year 6.