How to prepare for CEM exams?

In CEM exams, typically more questions are likely to be answered in the allocated time, as compared to GL and the weighting of each subject for your child’s final mark will be unknown before the exam. 

Depending upon the school and region Standard Format, Multiple Choice, or a combination may be used. CEM papers are combined, with one exam of English and verbal reasoning and another including maths and non-verbal reasoning.

Skills tested

The skills that are tested in CEM exams are maths, English, comprehension, spelling, and vocabulary. Verbal reasoning in CEM is very different from verbal reasoning in GL. In CEM having a wide-ranging vocabulary is a success point.

How to prepare?

Improve Vocabulary: By far we know the importance of vocabulary. If your child is appearing for the CEM exam, work hard on developing a deep and strong vocabulary.

1. For this, you can start practicing more sophisticated words in your normal conversations while explaining their meaning. 
2. Practice synonyms and antonyms: You can encourage your child to use synonyms in your normal conversations. 
3. Use of gamification: Learning too many words can be difficult for a child, you can ask your child to solve vocabulary worksheets in our KidSmartapp. (Our app facilitates, number of vocab worksheets, which your child can practice daily to improve their vocabulary) 
4. Try to read widely with your child, and solve more crosswords with them.
   

Improve Speed and Time Management: the other two skills that your child needs to work on is speed and time management.

1. Plenty of timed practice can bring a lot of difference in improving your child's speed and time management skills. 
2. You can ask your child to practice past paper or practice paper to give them an idea and get them used to formal exam conditions. This will help them feel more confident about the 11+ exam.
   

How to prepare for GL exams?

GL exams include four subjects that are English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning/spatial awareness. Schools can choose combinations according to their selection policy. Mostly GL exams are either standard format or multiple-choice questions depending upon the region.

Although test length varies from school to school the most common exam time is 45 minutes. GL exam uses a variety of questions taken from the GL Assessment Question bank and uses across all four subjects. For your child to get familiar with these question types, your child needs thorough practice and preparation. 

How to prepare?

Complete Information about the paper: Before starting the preparation it is important to know everything about the exam your child will be taking. As the exam details will vary from region to region and even from school to school. 

Familiarise your child with the format: If your child is preparing for the GL Assessment-examined test, it is important to familiarise him with the format, as the question type can be much more unpredictable as compared to CEM, encourage your child to solve plenty of practice and past paper.

How to prepare for South West Herts Consortium exams?

How to prepare for Buckinghamshire Grammar School Consortium Exam?

The Buckinghamshire Grammar School consortium has 13 schools and from 2019, the exam board in Buckinghamshire for 11+ tests is GL Assessment. The exam is divided into two papers- 

1. Verbal reasoning, technical English, and comprehension 
2. Non-verbal reasoning, spatial reasoning, and mathematics 

All questions are multiple-choice and the paper lasts for 45 minutes each.

How to Prepare -

1. Building skills and Confidence - a child can get overwhelmed while appearing for the exam, it is necessary to prepare them and develop speed and time management skills in them. The best way for this is by encouraging them to practice past papers.  
2. Cover all Topics - 11+ tests include various topics, some of which may not be taught at school like non-verbal reasoning. Make sure your child covers all the topics as questions covered in these tests require in-depth knowledge.