GL Assessment 11+ (English, maths and verbal reasoning)
Three multiple choice GL Assessment papers in September of Year 6, English, maths and verbal reasoning, with no non-verbal reasoning: used in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Wiltshire, Lancashire (Lancaster Royal and Bacup and Rawtenstall) and at Loreto and St Ambrose in Trafford and St Anselm’s and Upton Hall on the Wirral (Upton Hall sets English and verbal reasoning only). Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole move to Quest Assessments from the September 2027 sitting, with three 40 minute papers in the same subjects; Bishop Wordsworth’s moves to two Quest papers for entry in 2028.
At a glance
Subjects
Maths, English and verbal reasoning
Answers
Multiple choice
Usually held
September
Set by
GL Assessment
Schools
12
The papers
Stage
Paper
How it is answered
Prism practice paper
11+
English
Multiple choice
45 questions, 45 minutes
11+
Maths
Multiple choice
50 questions, 50 minutes
11+
Verbal Reasoning
Multiple choice
80 questions, 50 minutes
Test setters rarely publish how many questions a paper has, so the question counts are the length of Prism’s practice papers; timings follow the setter’s published guidance where there is any. Arrangements change from year to year: always check them with the school or local authority.
How to prepare for the GL
The GL Assessment 11+ (English, maths and verbal reasoning) covers maths, English and verbal reasoning. Most families start steady preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5, building accuracy first and speed later, then sit timed papers through the summer before the test, which usually takes place in September.
For maths, secure the Key Stage 2 arithmetic, fractions, ratio and problem solving before moving to the multi-step questions that separate the strongest candidates.
For English, read widely every day and practise comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar; selective tests reward precise word knowledge.
Verbal reasoning is a set of learnable question types, such as letter codes, hidden words and word analogies. Learning each type, then practising it against the clock, lifts scores quickly.
Which is the longest: 510 m, 0.5 km, 52,000 cm, 0.48 km, 450 m?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, 52,000 cm
How to work it out
Change them all to the same unit.
510 m = 510 m; 0.5 km = 500 m; 52,000 cm = 520 m; 0.48 km = 480 m; 450 m = 450 m.
The longest is 52,000 cm.
Why the other options are wrong
A (0.48 km): 0.48 km is 480 m, less than 52,000 cm (520 m).
B (0.5 km): 0.5 km is 500 m, less than 52,000 cm (520 m).
C (450 m): 450 m is less than 52,000 cm, which is 520 m.
E (510 m): 510 m is less than 52,000 cm, which is 520 m.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
What does the word “cursory” mean?
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, quick and not thorough
How to work it out
“Cursory” (adjective) means quick and not thorough.
For example: A cursory glance missed the error.
Why the other options are wrong
A (stiff; or strict): That is what “rigid” means, an unrelated word. “cursory” means quick and not thorough.
C (able to do something well): That is what “capable” means, an unrelated word. “cursory” means quick and not thorough.
D (sweet and soothing in sound): That is what “dulcet” means, an unrelated word. “cursory” means quick and not thorough.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word goes best with these three?
sleet, thunder, mist
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, rain
How to work it out
sleet, thunder, mist are all weather, and so is rain.
Why the other options are wrong
A (bronze): “bronze” is a metal, not one of the kinds of weather that the three words are.
B (guitar): “guitar” is a musical instrument, not one of the kinds of weather that the three words are.
C (zinc): “zinc” is a metal, not one of the kinds of weather that the three words are.
E (dresser): “dresser” is a piece of furniture, not one of the kinds of weather that the three words are.
Questions parents ask
What subjects are in the GL?
The GL tests maths, English and verbal reasoning.
When is the GL?
The main test usually takes place in September of Year 6. Dates change each year, so always confirm them with the school or local authority.
How should my child prepare for the GL?
Build the core skills in Year 4 and 5, learn each question type, then practise timed papers in the GL format. Prism builds this plan automatically from a free starting assessment.
Find out where your child stands today
Practise straight away at your child’s school year in maths and English, with verbal and non-verbal reasoning for the 11 Plus, and every answer explained. A free check, whenever you like, shows what to practise next and builds a weekly plan, for their year or for your target schools. Parents follow progress free.