11+ English is really four subjects wearing one name: comprehension, vocabulary, SPaG and (in some regions) writing. Here's the map and where the marks live, so you can stop practising vaguely and start practising the exact question types your child's paper will throw at them.
What the modern 11+ English paper actually looks like
For most grammar-school regions the 11+ English paper is set by GL Assessment. A typical GL English paper runs about 50 minutes and is built around one or two reading passages (a page or two of fiction or non-fiction) followed by roughly 18 to 30 comprehension questions, plus short standalone sections of about 8 to 10 questions each on spelling, punctuation, grammar and vocabulary. Answers are multiple choice, marked A to E on a separate OMR answer sheet, with no calculator and roughly a minute per question. It is worth clearing up an old myth: the separate CEM 11+ tests were largely phased out around 2022–2023, so if a blog still frames the choice as "CEM versus GL", it is out of date. GL now dominates, while CSSE runs the Essex exam with free-response maths and a written task, and many independent seniors use the ISEB Common Pre-Test plus their own creative writing.
Scores are reported as a Standardised Age Score (SAS), not a raw mark. The SAS is age-adjusted so a summer-born child is not penalised, sits roughly between 69 and 141, and puts the average at 100. Many grammar schools look for around 111 or above, but exact pass marks vary by area and year, so treat any single number with care. When you check the key dates for your region, note which board your target schools use, because the format shapes everything below.
Strand one: comprehension, where most marks live
Comprehension is the biggest block, and the marks are weighted towards inference rather than simple retrieval. Children need to read fiction (a narrative extract with characters and dialogue), non-fiction (articles, biography, letters, information texts) and sometimes poetry, then answer questions that test different skills. Non-fiction questions lean towards purpose and fact; fiction questions lean towards feelings, motives and language; poetry questions ask about imagery and form. Recognising the question type instantly is half the battle, so it helps to learn the tell-tale stems. Our own guide to the seven question types goes deeper, but this table is the quick map.
| Question type | Tell-tale stem | What it tests |
|---|---|---|
| Retrieval | "Where did…", "What time…" | Finding a stated fact |
| Inference | "How did the character feel when…" | Reading between the lines |
| Word-in-context | "The word X most nearly means…" | Meaning as used in the passage |
| Language device | "Which of these is a metaphor?" | Spotting figurative language |
| Word class | "Which word is an adverb?" | Parts of speech |
| Main idea | "The passage is mainly about…" | Summary and gist |
A quick worked example. Imagine the extract reads: "Maya's fingers hovered over the rusty latch. Behind it, something scratched." A retrieval question ("What was on the latch?") is answered directly: rust. An inference question ("How did Maya feel?") has no stated answer, so you gather clues: her fingers hovered, she did not open it, and there was a scratching noise, so the best answer is "nervous" or "hesitant" rather than "excited". A word-in-context question ("'hovered' most nearly means…") wants "paused" or "lingered", not "flew", because that is how the word works in this sentence. The method matters more than any single answer, so teach a repeatable routine.
- Skim the passage once for the gist (about a minute).
- Read the question before scanning back for the answer.
- Underline the exact words that prove your answer.
- On multiple choice, eliminate the two obviously wrong distractors first.
- Watch for the word "not" in a question stem — it flips everything.
Strand two: vocabulary, the shared engine
Vocabulary powers both the English and the Verbal Reasoning papers, so it repays daily effort more than any other strand. The core question types are synonyms (closest in meaning), antonyms (opposites), word-in-context, and cloze. The fastest way to grow word power is through Greek and Latin roots, prefixes and suffixes: a child who knows aqua, tele, bio and port can decode dozens of unseen words. Our 12-month vocabulary plan sets a steady pace, and the revision hub keeps the drills self-marking. Encourage ambitious upgrades in writing too: replace "said" with murmured, insisted or protested, and "nice" with welcoming, generous or serene.
Strand three: SPaG (spelling, punctuation and grammar)
SPaG marks are the easiest to bank because the rules recycle predictably. Learn the figurative-language terms, the parts of speech and the apostrophe rules once, and they reappear paper after paper. Start with the language devices children are most often asked to identify.
| Term | Child-friendly meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simile | Compares using "like" or "as" | as brave as a lion |
| Metaphor | Says one thing is another | the classroom was a zoo |
| Personification | Gives objects human traits | the wind whispered |
| Alliteration | Same sound starts nearby words | slippery silver snakes |
| Onomatopoeia | A word that sounds like its noise | buzz, crash, sizzle |
| Hyperbole | Deliberate exaggeration | I've told you a million times |
Parts of speech are the other guaranteed marks. A short reference table with a spotting tip fixes them fast.
| Word class | Example | Spotting tip |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | river, London | a person, place or thing |
| Verb | run, is, think | a doing or being word |
| Adjective | golden, fierce | describes a noun |
| Adverb | quickly, quietly | often ends in -ly, describes a verb |
| Pronoun | she, it, they | replaces a noun |
| Preposition | under, before | shows position or time |
| Conjunction | and, but, because | joins two parts |
| Determiner | the, a, this, some | sits before a noun |
The apostrophe trap
Apostrophes catch more children than any other punctuation mark, so drill the three uses. Contractions shorten words: do not becomes don't, it is becomes it's. Singular possession adds 's: the dog's bowl (one dog). Plural possession adds only an apostrophe after the s: the dogs' bowls (many dogs). The classic exam trap is its versus it's: "it's" only ever means "it is" or "it has", while "its" (no apostrophe) shows possession — the cat licked its paw. Homophones are the twin of this skill; our must-know punctuation rules cover the full set, but keep a memory trick handy for the worst offenders: there/their/they're, your/you're, practice (noun) versus practise (verb, remember "ice" is a thing, a noun).
Strand four: writing, where it is set
Not every region marks writing, but CSSE (Essex), Medway and most independent schools do, and the task is usually creative or continuous writing from a picture, a story opening, or a prompt such as a diary or persuasive letter. Examiners reward plot structure, sentence variety, ambitious vocabulary, accurate punctuation and clear paragraphing. Teach a simple five-part plan and spend three to five minutes on it before writing.
- Beginning — set the scene and hook the reader.
- Build-up — raise tension with detail.
- Problem — the moment something goes wrong.
- Resolution — how it is solved.
- Ending — a reflective final line.
Yes, spelling and punctuation count in the writing task, and running out of time is the most common way marks are lost, so ring-fence the last two to three minutes for proofreading. Our creative writing guide has model paragraphs and openers. Whatever your region, put it all together under timed conditions with free English worksheets and full English mocks, then track progress on the exam guides hub.
Common examiner pet-hates
- Answering inference questions without quoting evidence from the text.
- Ignoring the word "not" or "except" in a question stem.
- Choosing a synonym that fits the word generally but not in context.
- Writing a story with no paragraphs and no ending.
- Spending 20 minutes on comprehension and rushing the writing.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the 11+ English paper?
Most GL English papers last around 50 minutes, covering one or two passages plus short SPaG and vocabulary sections. CSSE and independent papers that include writing are usually longer, so always check your specific school's format.
Is 11+ English multiple choice?
In most GL regions, yes: children shade A to E on a separate OMR answer sheet. CSSE and many independents use free-response formats and a written task, which are marked by hand against a mark scheme.
What counts as a good SAS score?
The Standardised Age Score averages 100 and is adjusted for your child's age. Many grammar schools look for roughly 111 or higher, but the real pass mark shifts by area and year, so use practice results to spot trends rather than to predict a place.