CEM vs GL: what's the difference for 11+ parents?
What's the difference between CEM and GL for the 11 plus? A plain-English guide for parents on GL Assessment, CEM Select, and how preparation differs.
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Practical guides for parents navigating entrance exams and tutoring
When should my child start 11+ preparation?
When to start 11+ preparation — typical Year 5 timelines, signs of readiness, starting late, and the risk of starting too early.
Read article →How to choose a tutor: the questions worth asking
How to choose a tutor for 11+ or entrance exams — what to look for, questions to ask, and red flags parents should watch for.
Read article →Grammar school vs independent school entrance: what's the difference?
Grammar school vs independent school entrance exams explained for parents — formats, preparation differences, and how to choose your path.
Read article →The ISEB Common Pre-Test: a parent's guide
What the ISEB Common Pre-Tests involve, which schools use them, and how to prepare your child without unnecessary drilling.
Read article →The reading habit: the quiet engine behind every 11+ success
How daily reading builds 11+ vocabulary, comprehension and writing — plus what to do if your child is a reluctant reader.
Read article →The maths foundations every 11+ child needs (and how to spot the gaps)
The KS2 maths foundations that matter most for 11+ — fluency, times tables, problem-solving — and how to build them steadily.
Read article →11+ comprehension: why bright readers lose marks, and how to fix it
Why strong readers lose marks on 11+ comprehension, and the exam techniques that fix it — evidence, mark schemes, question types and timing.
Read article →Creative writing for the 11+: what examiners actually reward
What examiners look for in 11+ creative writing — control, structure and planning — and how to help your child improve without overwriting.
Read article →Verbal Reasoning: what it is and how to help your child prepare
What Verbal Reasoning tests in the 11+, how to learn the question types, and how to build the vocabulary underneath.
Read article →Non-Verbal Reasoning: a plain guide for parents
What Non-Verbal Reasoning tests in the 11+, why practice helps, and how parents can support preparation at home.
Read article →Exam nerves and the 11+: helping your child perform on the day
How to help your child manage 11+ exam nerves — familiarity, what to say, in-exam techniques, and keeping the morning calm.
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