Free 11+ GL Assessment Sample Tests 2026: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning & Non-Verbal Reasoning
GL Assessment is used by approximately 70% of UK grammar schools — making GL sample tests the most important preparation resource for the majority of 11+ candidates. This guide provides free GL Assessment sample tests for all four papers, with strategies specific to each subject, a complete format breakdown, and direct access to online practice tests for 2026 grammar school entrance.
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What Is GL Assessment — Format and Structure
GL Assessment (GL Education Group) produces the most widely used 11+ entrance examination in the UK. Grammar schools in Kent, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Yorkshire, Essex and many other regions rely on GL Assessment to select their Year 7 intake each year.
A key advantage of GL Assessment for students is its highly consistent format. Question types, paper structure, and difficulty levels remain stable year on year, making past papers and sample tests exceptionally valuable for preparation. Students who complete 6+ GL sample papers of a given subject develop automatic pattern recognition that significantly improves speed.
| GL Paper | Duration | Questions | Content | Calculator? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | 45–50 mins | Variable | Reading comprehension + Creative writing | No |
| Mathematics | 45–50 mins | 40–50 | All KS2 topics | No |
| Verbal Reasoning | 50 mins | 80 | 21 question types mixed | No |
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | 50 mins | 80 | 6 NVR types mixed | No |
📌 Key Facts About GL Assessment 2026
- All four papers are separate examinations — not a single combined test
- Calculators are not permitted in any GL paper including Mathematics
- All sections typically carry equal weight in final standardised scores
- Scores are age-standardised — older Year 6 students are not penalised
- Official free sample materials are available from GL Assessment directly
Free GL Assessment English Sample Tests
45–50 minsThe GL Assessment English paper tests two distinct skills in the same 45–50 minute session: reading comprehension (understanding and analysing a passage) and creative writing (producing an original narrative or descriptive piece). These require different preparation strategies.
What GL English Sample Tests Cover
- Reading comprehension: Literal questions (finding information), inference questions (reading between the lines), vocabulary questions (word meaning in context), literary device identification (simile, metaphor, personification)
- Creative writing: Narrative structure (opening hook, scene-setting, complication, resolution), descriptive language, varied sentence structure, spelling and punctuation
✅ GL English Sample Test Strategy
- Time split: Aim for 20–25 minutes on comprehension, 25–30 minutes on creative writing
- Read questions first: Before reading the passage, scan the questions — this focuses your reading on what matters
- Evidence from text: Every comprehension answer should be supported by specific evidence from the passage
- Plan before writing: Spend 3–4 minutes planning your creative writing structure before writing a single word
Free GL Assessment Mathematics Sample Tests
45–50 mins | No calculatorThe GL Assessment Mathematics paper covers the entire KS2 mathematics curriculum — but without a calculator, and at a pace that requires strong mental arithmetic fluency. The 40–50 questions must be completed in 45–50 minutes, giving approximately 60 seconds per question.
What GL Maths Sample Tests Cover
- Number and arithmetic: multiplication, division, factors, multiples, powers
- Fractions, decimals, and percentages
- Algebra: simple equations, sequences, substitution
- Geometry: area, perimeter, angles, properties of shapes
- Data handling: mean, median, mode, graphs
- Measures: units conversion, time, money
- Ratio and proportion
- Word problems across all topics
⚡ GL Maths Critical Priority
Automatic recall of multiplication tables to 12×12 is not optional for GL Maths — it is essential. Students who hesitate on basic multiplication lose 10–15 seconds per question, which compounds across 40+ questions. Build automatic fact recall through daily 5-minute drills from 3–4 months before the exam.
Free GL Assessment Verbal Reasoning Sample Tests
50 mins | 80 questionsThe GL Assessment Verbal Reasoning paper is one of the most time-pressured sections in any UK school entrance exam — 80 questions in 50 minutes averages just 37 seconds per question. Strong vocabulary and automatic pattern recognition are essential for success.
GL Verbal Reasoning Question Types (21 types total)
- Synonyms and antonyms
- Word analogies
- Classification and odd one out
- Letter codes and coding
- Hidden words
- Compound word connections
- Letter and number sequences
- Anagrams
- Logic problems and deduction
- Move a letter, complete the word, word in the middle
📌 VR Timing Strategy
At 37 seconds per question, GL Verbal Reasoning is genuinely fast. Build speed through vocabulary mastery (strong vocabulary makes synonym questions near-instant) and systematic strategies for each question type. Use our full Verbal Reasoning Hub for strategies for all 21 question types.
Free GL Assessment Non-Verbal Reasoning Sample Tests
50 mins | 80 questionsThe GL Assessment Non-Verbal Reasoning paper tests visual and spatial problem-solving — the ability to identify patterns, complete matrices, and understand 3D relationships — using shapes and diagrams without any language. It is the most improvable section of the 11+ exam.
GL NVR Question Types (6 types)
- Matrices: Complete a missing shape in a grid pattern
- Sequences: Find the next shape in a progression
- Shape analogies: Apply a transformation rule to a new shape
- Odd one out: Identify the shape that doesn't belong
- 3D visualization and nets: Identify how a 2D net folds into a 3D cube
- Rotation and reflection: Identify rotated or reflected shapes
✅ NVR Most Improvable Section
Non-verbal reasoning is highly responsive to practice because the question types are finite and learnable. Students who struggle initially often show 25–35% score improvement within 6–8 weeks of systematic practice. Use physical 3D cube nets for 3D visualization questions — hands-on practice builds spatial intuition that paper-only practice cannot achieve.
Free Full GL Assessment Mock Exams
Individual subject sample tests build skills. Full four-paper GL mock exams build exam stamina, time management, and the mental endurance needed to perform across 3.5 hours of high-stakes assessment. Take at least 3–4 full GL mock exams in the final 6 weeks before the real exam.
| Mock Exam | Papers Included | Difficulty | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Mock Exam Set A | English + Maths + VR + NVR | Standard | Start Mock → |
| GL Mock Exam Set B | English + Maths + VR + NVR | Standard | Start Mock → |
| GL Mock Exam Set C | English + Maths + VR + NVR | Challenging | Start Mock → |
| GL Diagnostic Test | All 4 subjects (shortened) | Mixed | Start Diagnostic → |
Which UK Regions Use GL Assessment?
GL Assessment is used by grammar schools across the majority of England's selective regions. However, exam providers can change between years — always verify with your specific target schools before selecting preparation materials.
| Region | GL Assessment Usage | Notable Schools |
|---|---|---|
| Kent | Most grammar schools | Invicta Grammar, Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar |
| Buckinghamshire | Most grammar schools | Royal Grammar School High Wycombe, Wycombe High |
| Essex | Majority use GL | King Edward VI Grammar, Colchester Royal Grammar |
| Surrey & Sussex | Most selective schools | Tiffin Girls, Sutton Grammar |
| Yorkshire | Most grammar schools | Grammar schools across West and North Yorkshire |
| Hertfordshire | Majority use GL | Various selective schools |
| London | Many grammar schools | Henrietta Barnett, Queen Elizabeth's Boys |
All Free GL Assessment Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What subjects are tested in GL Assessment 11+ exams?
GL Assessment tests four separate subjects: English (45–50 minutes, reading comprehension and creative writing), Mathematics (45–50 minutes, 40–50 questions without a calculator), Verbal Reasoning (50 minutes, 80 questions), and Non-Verbal Reasoning (50 minutes, 80 questions). Each is a separate paper administered independently.
Are GL Assessment sample tests available for free?
Yes. GL Assessment publishes official free sample materials at 11plus.gl-assessment.co.uk/pages/free-materials. Omishaan UK also provides completely free online practice tests for all four GL Assessment subjects. Publishers Bond and CGP have also released free sample papers that closely match GL Assessment formats.
How long is the GL Assessment 11+ exam?
The complete GL Assessment spans approximately 3.5 hours across all four papers: English (45–50 minutes), Mathematics (45–50 minutes), Verbal Reasoning (50 minutes), and Non-Verbal Reasoning (50 minutes). Papers are typically administered across multiple sessions. Build full exam stamina through regular four-paper mock exam practice in the weeks before the real assessment.
How is the GL Assessment 11+ scored?
GL Assessment converts raw scores to age-standardised scores to ensure fair comparison. Standardised scores typically range from approximately 69 to 141, with 100 representing average performance. Grammar schools set individual cutoff scores based on available places and annual applicant cohort performance — exact cutoffs are not published in advance and vary between schools and years.
Which UK regions use GL Assessment for grammar school entrance?
GL Assessment is used by grammar schools in Kent, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Sussex, Essex, Hertfordshire, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, Medway, Wirral, Trafford, and many London grammar schools. GL is also used in Wales and Northern Ireland. Always verify with specific target schools as providers can change between years.
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