11 Plus Past Papers 2026: Free 11 Plus Practice Papers for GL Assessment, Kent Test & CEM
Searching for 11 plus past papers or free 11 plus papers is usually the first step parents take once they start preparing for grammar school entrance — and it's also where preparation most often goes wrong, with the wrong format, low-quality materials, or no answer explanations. This guide brings together exactly where to find genuinely free, high-quality 11 plus practice papers, how they differ from Bond 11+ and other paid options, how to access an 11 plus exam online, GL Assessment and Kent Test-specific resources, and 11 plus maths worksheets alongside verbal and non-verbal reasoning practice — all completely free, no registration required.
Omishaan UK is part of the global Omishaan educational network, which also provides free NAPLAN practice tests for Australian students and free EQAO practice tests for Ontario students.
📋 Complete Table of Contents
- 11 plus past papers vs practice papers — the key difference
- Where to find genuinely free 11 plus papers
- Free 11 plus papers by subject
- GL Assessment and Kent Test past papers
- CEM practice papers — why official past papers don't exist
- Bond 11 plus — and the free alternative
- 11 plus maths worksheets — building blocks, not the whole picture
- Taking the 11 plus exam online for practice
- How to use past papers strategically
- A 12-week past papers preparation plan
- The Omishaan global network — UK, Australia, Canada
- Frequently asked questions (14 answered)
11 Plus Past Papers vs Practice Papers — The Key Difference
Almost every parent's 11 plus research begins with a search for "past papers" — but the term is used loosely, and understanding the real distinction shapes which resources are worth your time.
| Feature | 11+ Past Papers | 11+ Practice Papers |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Actually used in real exams previously | Newly written to replicate exam format |
| Authenticity | Highest possible | High when well aligned to format |
| Volume available | Limited — finite supply | Unlimited — can keep practising |
| GL Assessment | Official samples published free | Widely available from publishers and sites |
| CEM | Not published — by design | The primary CEM preparation resource |
| Best use | Calibrate against the real standard | Build volume, speed and confidence |
Effective preparation uses both: start with official GL Assessment past papers or sample materials to understand exactly what the real exam expects, then use practice papers throughout preparation for the repetition that builds genuine speed and accuracy.
Where to Find Genuinely Free 11 Plus Papers
"Free 11 plus papers" is one of the most-searched phrases by parents starting 11 plus preparation — and also one where quality varies enormously, from genuinely useful official materials to thin, poorly explained worksheets designed mainly to capture an email address.
✅ Reliable Free Sources
- GL Assessment official site: Free sample papers across all four subjects — the most authentic GL materials available
- Omishaan UK: Free online practice papers for Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Mathematics and English, with instant scoring and full explanations — uk.omishaan.com
- Bond 11+: Free sample papers and an online assessment test to identify your child's starting level
- CGP Books: Free downloadable sample papers closely matching GL Assessment formats
- Individual grammar schools: Some publish previous entrance test examples directly on admissions pages
⚠️ What to Check Before Using Any Free Paper
- Does it specify whether it follows GL Assessment or CEM format?
- Does it include a full answer key — not just a partial one?
- Are explanations provided, or just final answers?
- Is the difficulty level appropriate for your child's current stage of preparation?
Free 11 Plus Papers by Subject
The subject most parents search free papers for — it contains question types rarely seen in school lessons.
- All major GL question types: synonyms, codes, hidden words, sequences
- CEM-style vocabulary and cloze passages
- Worked strategies for every type
- Progressive difficulty levels
Often under-supplied in free resources due to the visual layout required — but highly improvable with structured practice.
- Matrices, sequences, shape analogies
- 3D nets and rotation/reflection
- Visual worked solutions
- Printable practice materials
Complete KS2 coverage, no calculator — topic worksheets plus full timed papers.
- Number, fractions, algebra, geometry, data
- Multi-step word problems
- Topic-specific and mixed papers
- Mental arithmetic speed builders
Comprehension and creative writing — two distinct skills requiring different practice approaches.
- Reading comprehension and inference
- Creative writing with model answers
- Vocabulary in context
- SPaG practice
GL Assessment and Kent Test Past Papers
GL Assessment is used by roughly 70% of UK grammar schools, making it the format with by far the largest pool of genuinely authentic free past papers and sample materials. The Kent Test — Kent's specific 11 plus assessment, administered across one of England's largest grammar school systems — uses GL Assessment's underlying format with Kent-specific scoring thresholds, which means GL-aligned practice is directly relevant Kent Test preparation.
| Paper | Duration | Relevant For | Practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 45–50 mins | GL regions + Kent Test | English Hub → |
| Mathematics | 45–50 mins | GL regions + Kent Test | Maths Hub → |
| Verbal Reasoning | 50 mins | GL regions + Kent Test | VR Hub → |
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | 50 mins | GL regions + Kent Test | NVR Hub → |
| Full Mock Exam | ~3.5 hrs | All GL/Kent Test candidates | Mock Tests → |
📌 Kent Test Families: Start Here
Because the Kent Test follows the GL Assessment format, there is no need to search separately for "Kent Test only" materials — GL-aligned papers from our GL Assessment Hub and official GL free samples are directly applicable. Always confirm Kent-specific dates and registration deadlines with Kent County Council's own admissions pages, since logistics differ from the underlying exam content.
CEM Practice Papers — Why Official Past Papers Don't Exist
Unlike GL Assessment, CEM deliberately does not publish official past papers, as part of its design philosophy of resisting predictable, drilled preparation. This means quality CEM-aligned practice papers — not past papers — are the primary resource available for Birmingham, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire and other CEM regions.
- CEM blends subjects into two mixed papers rather than four separate ones
- Vocabulary breadth matters across every section, not just verbal reasoning
- Cloze passages are a unique CEM feature absent from GL papers
- Practice should emphasise speed and mental switching between question types
Bond 11 Plus — and the Free Alternative
Bond 11+ is one of the most recognised names in UK 11 plus preparation, publishing the long-running Bond Assessment Papers series used widely by tutors and parents. Bond's graded book series — typically organised by age band and difficulty — offers a large total volume of papers in one purchase, along with some free sample papers and an online placement test on Bond's own site to help identify where a child should start in the series.
📌 Bond vs Free Online Practice
For families weighing whether to buy Bond books or rely on free resources, the honest comparison is this: Bond's strength is its graded structure and large volume in printed or PDF form, useful for families who prefer working offline through a fixed sequence. Omishaan UK's free practice papers cover the same four core subjects — Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Mathematics and English — with instant online scoring and explanations, at no cost, making it a genuinely complete free alternative or supplement for families not wanting to purchase a full book series.
11 Plus Maths Worksheets — Building Blocks, Not the Whole Picture
"11 plus maths worksheets" is a high-volume search term, and topic worksheets are genuinely useful — but they are only the foundation, not complete preparation on their own.
The Three-Stage Maths Preparation Sequence
- Topic worksheets: Build knowledge in fractions, algebra, geometry, data handling — one topic at a time, untimed
- Mixed timed papers: Combine topics at real exam pace (~60 seconds per question in GL Assessment)
- Full mock exams: Complete maths paper under exact exam conditions, integrated with the other three subjects
🎯 The No-Calculator Priority
All 11 plus maths is calculator-free. Automatic times tables recall to 12×12 is the single highest-leverage foundation — a daily 5-minute drill from the start of preparation pays off across every timed maths paper. Start with our Maths Worksheets and Practice Hub.
Taking the 11 Plus Exam Online for Practice
Searches for "11 plus exam online" reflect strong demand for digital practice — and for good reason. While the formal exam itself is typically sat in person, online practice builds the same underlying skills with added benefits: instant marking, detailed explanations, and growing relevance as some regions explore digital delivery formats.
- Instant scoring removes the delay between practice and feedback
- Explanations are delivered immediately alongside results
- Progress can be tracked across multiple sessions
- No printing, no physical paper management
How to Use Past Papers Strategically
- First paper: diagnostic, untimed. Identify which question types produce the most errors before adding time pressure.
- Targeted practice (2–3 weeks). Use subject hubs to fix specific weak areas identified in the diagnostic.
- Second paper: timed, reviewed thoroughly. For every wrong answer, ask: knowledge gap, strategy error, or careless mistake?
- Build speed through volume (4–8 weeks). Alternate targeted practice with timed papers.
- Full mock exams (final 6 weeks). Complete four-paper GL mocks or two-paper CEM mocks under real conditions.
✅ Review Beats Volume
A child who completes 10 papers and reviews every wrong answer thoroughly will improve more than one who completes 40 papers without review. Never skip the review session.
A 12-Week 11 Plus Past Papers Preparation Plan
Confirm format, diagnose, build foundation
- Confirm GL, Kent Test, or CEM format with target schools
- Untimed diagnostic papers across all four subjects
- Start daily vocabulary and times tables drills
Targeted subject practice
- Deep practice on weakest two subjects using dedicated hubs
- Introduce timed papers progressively from Week 5
Full mock exams
- Complete four-paper GL or two-paper CEM mocks every two weeks
- Target lowest-scoring paper after each mock
Light review
- Reduce to 15–20 minutes daily
- One final mock, then stop intensive practice
The Omishaan Global Network
🇬🇧 Omishaan UK — 11 Plus Exams
Free 11 plus past papers, practice papers and online mock exams for GL Assessment, Kent Test and CEM.
Visit Omishaan UK →🇦🇺 Omishaan Australia — NAPLAN
Free NAPLAN practice tests for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 aligned with ACARA v9.0, plus OC Test and Selective School prep.
Visit Omishaan Australia →🇨🇦 Omishaan Canada — EQAO
Free EQAO practice tests for Ontario Grades 3, 6, 9 and OSSLT Grade 10.
Visit Omishaan Canada →All Free 11 Plus Resources
Frequently Asked Questions About 11 Plus Past Papers
Where can I find free 11 plus past papers?
GL Assessment's official site (free samples, all four subjects), Omishaan UK at uk.omishaan.com (free practice papers, no registration), Bond 11+ and CGP (free sample papers), and individual grammar schools' admissions pages.
What is the difference between 11 plus past papers and practice papers?
Past papers are actual previous exam papers; practice papers are newly written to replicate the format. Use past papers to calibrate the standard, and practice papers for ongoing repetition. See our Past Papers Hub.
Are there free papers as an alternative to Bond 11 plus?
Bond publishes some free samples and a placement test on its own site. Omishaan UK provides free papers across all four subjects with instant scoring and explanations as a complete free alternative to Bond's paid book series.
Can I take the 11 plus exam online for practice?
Yes — Omishaan UK provides a free 11+ exam online practice hub with instant marking and full timed mock exams in both GL and CEM formats.
What is GL Assessment and where do I find free GL papers?
GL Assessment is used by ~70% of grammar schools. Official free samples are at GL's website; Omishaan UK's GL Assessment Hub provides additional free practice across all four subjects.
Where can I find Kent Test practice papers?
The Kent Test uses GL Assessment's format with Kent-specific scoring. GL-aligned papers from our GL Assessment Hub are directly relevant — confirm dates with Kent County Council separately.
Are 11 plus maths worksheets enough on their own?
No — worksheets build foundational knowledge but should progress to timed mixed-topic papers and full mock exams. See our three-stage approach in the Maths Hub.
How many past papers should my child complete?
6–10 subject-specific papers per subject plus 4–6 full mock exams in the final 6–8 weeks. Thorough review matters more than volume.
Is verbal reasoning the hardest subject to find good free papers for?
It's the most-searched subject because the question types rarely appear in school lessons. Our Verbal Reasoning Hub covers every major type free.
Why is non-verbal reasoning sometimes underrepresented in free resources?
It requires more complex visual layout to produce. It's also one of the most improvable subjects with structured practice — see our Non-Verbal Reasoning Hub.
Should I pay for practice papers or are free ones enough?
Quality free resources used consistently with thorough review are genuinely sufficient for most families. Paid options like Bond offer convenience and large graded volume rather than meaningfully higher quality.
Do free 11 plus past papers come with answers and explanations?
Quality varies — always check. Omishaan UK's papers include full answers plus explanations for every question.
What's the best free alternative to Bond 11 plus papers?
Omishaan UK covers the same four subjects with instant online scoring and worked explanations, free, as a complete alternative or supplement to Bond's paid series.
When should my child start using past papers?
Begin untimed topic practice 10–12 months before the exam, introduce timed papers around 6 months before, and use full mock exams in the final 8–10 weeks.
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