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 several providers of multiple choice style questions:
FSCE - Future Stories Community Enterprise
In Trafford for the 2027 entrance exam a new provider has been signed. We will know more about the content and delivery of the exam once familiarisation packs are made available in the spring of 2027. It is likely to remain 2 papers of about 50 minutes each based mainly on mathematics and English.
A link to their website is here.
GL ASSESSMENT
GL ASSESSMENT provides most of 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 between 3 - 15 minutes to complete one part before moving on to the next. The invigilator will time these. The make up of papers typically looks like this:
Paper A
Verbal Reasoning Comprehension ad English
Verbal Reasoning
Paper B
Non-Verbal Reasoning (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) GL 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 2026 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 2027 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
FSCE + Monday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F
GL 3.45 - 4.45 pm
FSCE + Monday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F
GL 5-6 pm
FSCE + Monday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F
GL 6.15-7.15 pm
FSCE + Tuesday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F
GL 3.45 - 4.45 pm
FSCE + Tuesday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F
GL 5-6 pm
FSCE + Tuesday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F
GL 6.15-7.15 pm
FSCE + Wednesday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F
GL 3.45 - 4.45 pm
FSCE + Wednesday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F
GL 5-6 pm
FSCE + Wednesday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F
GL 6.15-7.15 pm
FSCE + Thursday Oct 2026 Limited Sept 2027 Live
GL 3.45 - 4.45 pm availability Online
FSCE + Thursday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 Live GL 5-6 pm Online
SEND
students
FSCE + Thursday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 Online
GL 6.15 - 7.15pm Group
Clare's Groups
Schools Day/time Starts Availability Ends Style
FSCE + Monday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F
GL 4.30-5.30 pm
FSCE + Monday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F
GL 6-7pm
FSCE + Tuesday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F GL 5.30-6.30pm
FSCE + Wednesday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F GL 4.30-5.30pm
Chris's Groups
Schools Day/time Starts Availability Ends Style
FSCE + Monday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F
GL 5-6pm
FSCE + Monday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F
GL 6.15-7.15pm
FSCE + Tuesday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F
GL 3.55-4.55pm
FSCE + Tuesday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F
GL 5-6pm
FSCE + Tuesday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F
GL 6.15-7.15pm
FSCE + Wednesday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F
GL 3.45-4.45pm
FSCE + Wednesday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F
GL 5-6pm
FSCE + Wednesday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F
GL 6.15-7.15pm
Amy's Groups
Schools Day/time Starts Availability Ends Style
FSCE + Tuesday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F
GL 4-5pm
FSCE + Tuesday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F
GL 5.15-6.15pm
FSCE + Tuesday Oct 2026 FULL Sept 2027 F2F
GL 6.30-7.30pm
Due to demand we have added an extra two classes for autumn 2026. 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