Search "free 11+ resources" and you'll get thousands of results — most of them recycled, watermarked, or hiding behind an email-capture wall that hammers your inbox for weeks. A genuinely free resource does three things: it teaches the exact question type your child will meet under GL Assessment conditions, it lets you practise under a timer, and it gives you an answer key so you can mark honestly at home. This is an honest, tested list of the resources that clear that bar, plus the traps to avoid and a simple plan for turning free materials into a real preparation routine.
What separates a good free resource from filler
Since CEM discontinued its separate 11+ tests around 2022-2023, the market has consolidated. GL Assessment is now the dominant provider across most grammar-school regions, with bespoke consortium papers such as CSSE in Essex and the ISEB Common Pre-Test used by many independent senior schools. That matters for resources: a worksheet written for the old CEM format, or one that never names an exam board at all, tells you nothing about whether it matches your child's real paper. Before you download anything, ask three questions:
- Does it name the board and format? GL papers are multiple-choice, answered A-E on a separate OMR sheet, tightly timed at roughly a minute a question, no calculator. A good resource mirrors that.
- Does it cover the four skill areas? English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning (VR) and Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR). Thin sites only do one.
- Is there an answer key or mark scheme? Without one, you can't tell progress from guesswork.
The free resources that genuinely deliver
1. Quest Arena (this site)
Everything here is free with no email capture, no card and no trial: 5,057 worksheets covering every 11+ subject and question type, 700+ timed mock papers with marking schemes, and centre-specific mocks tuned to 52 selective centres. Each skill links to a matching printable worksheet and an online timed drill, so you can teach a method, then test it under exam pressure the same afternoon. Our revision hub and exam guides explain each question type in plain English, and everything reflects the current post-CEM GL landscape rather than out-of-date CEM material.
2. CGP free sample packs
CGP sells paid 11+ books but publishes genuine free sample sheets. They are useful for previewing their house style before you spend money, though the free portion is deliberately small.
3. BBC Bitesize KS2
Not 11+ specific, but excellent for shoring up foundations — particularly maths topics like fractions, percentages and averages, plus reading and writing. Use it to fix a weak strand, then return to timed 11+ practice.
4. School and consortium past papers
Some grammar schools and consortia publish one or two familiarisation papers on their own websites — look at Tiffin, KCS Wimbledon, Pate's and the CSSE site for Essex. The catch is that these are often two to three years old and limited in number, so treat them as a taste of the real thing rather than a full course.
The "not actually free" traps
Plenty of sites advertise free access but attach a hidden cost. Watch for these:
- Card-upfront "free trials" that quietly convert to a paid subscription after seven days.
- Email-capture-then-spam pages that hand over one paper, then bury your inbox.
- Copyright-dodgy "free downloads" that are actually scanned commercial papers — poor quality and bad for the whole community of families.
- Board-blind worksheets that never say whether they match GL, CSSE or ISEB, so you can't tell if the practice is relevant.
A comparison at a glance
| Resource type | Cost | Answer key? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quest Arena worksheets and mocks | Free, no sign-up needed | Yes, every item | Full timed practice across all four skills |
| Publisher sample packs | Free taster, rest paid | Usually | Previewing a book's style |
| BBC Bitesize | Free | Self-check quizzes | Fixing subject foundations |
| School past papers | Free where published | Sometimes | Familiarity with one school's format |
Turning free materials into a real plan
Resources only work if you use them well. A "little and often" routine beats weekend cramming. Start early — Year 4 or the beginning of Year 5 — and build a 12-to-18-month plan. A workable weekly shape is:
- Two or three short worksheet sessions (20-30 minutes) targeting one skill each.
- One full timed section under exam conditions, using the answer sheet to practise bubbling.
- A ten-minute review where your child re-marks mistakes and you talk through the method.
- From the end of Year 5 summer, add a full mock paper every few weeks and use the results to steer revision. If your child sits GL, our GL papers page matches that format precisely.
Free resources can carry a well-organised family a long way. What they can't do is give personalised feedback on creative writing, spot an individual weak area for you, or adapt pace to one child. If you can self-mark and explain answers calmly, free is genuinely enough. If not, a few targeted hours of tutoring on top of free practice is usually better value than a full paid programme.
Frequently asked questions
Is free 11+ practice really enough to pass?
For many families, yes — provided the practice is timed, matched to the right board, and reviewed honestly. Standardised age scores are age-adjusted (roughly 69-141, with 100 average), and consistent, well-marked practice is what moves a raw score. Exact qualifying marks vary by area and year, so focus on steady improvement rather than a single target number.
How do I know a worksheet matches my child's exam?
Check that it names the board and question type. Use our 11+ process guide and grammar school directory to confirm whether your area uses GL, CSSE or an independent-school pre-test, then filter your practice accordingly.
When should we start using these resources?
Early Year 5 is ideal for most families, with a lighter start possible in Year 4. Check the key dates page so you can work backwards from the exam and leave room for full mocks in the final months.