Free 11 Plus Maths Practice Tests 2026 — All Topics Covered for GL & CEM
The 11 plus maths paper is entirely calculator-free and covers the complete KS2 curriculum at speed. This guide gives you free 11 plus maths practice tests for every topic — from fractions and algebra to geometry and word problems — with the exact strategies that work for GL Assessment and CEM formats. No sign-up. No fees. Start practising today.
📋 What This Guide Covers
What Maths Topics Are Tested in the 11 Plus?
The 11 plus maths paper covers the complete KS2 mathematics curriculum — everything taught from Year 3 to Year 6. However, unlike school tests, it is entirely calculator-free, fast-paced, and includes multi-step word problems that combine multiple topics in a single question.
📌 GL Assessment Maths Format
GL Assessment uses a dedicated maths paper: 40–50 questions in 45–50 minutes (approximately 60 seconds per question). No calculator. All topics from the KS2 curriculum may appear. Separate from the English, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning papers.
⚡ CEM Maths Format
CEM uses numerical reasoning blended within mixed papers. Questions are faster-paced (approximately 45–50 seconds each), use more word-problem contexts, and appear alongside verbal and non-verbal questions. Vocabulary comprehension matters as much as calculation ability in CEM maths.
Free 11 Plus Maths Practice Tests
Take these free practice tests in order — from topic-specific to full timed papers:
| Practice Test | Topics Covered | Questions | Time | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maths Diagnostic | All topics — baseline check | 30 | Untimed | Start → |
| Number & Arithmetic Test | Times tables, factors, primes, powers | 30 | 30 mins | Start → |
| Fractions, Decimals & Percentages | Conversion, operations, percentages of amounts | 25 | 25 mins | Start → |
| Algebra & Sequences Test | Equations, substitution, nth term | 25 | 25 mins | Start → |
| Geometry & Measures Test | Area, perimeter, angles, shapes | 25 | 25 mins | Start → |
| Data & Word Problems Test | Mean, graphs, multi-step problems | 25 | 25 mins | Start → |
| Full GL Maths Mock Paper 1 | All topics — timed exam conditions | 45 | 45 mins | Start → |
| Full GL Maths Mock Paper 2 | All topics — timed exam conditions | 45 | 45 mins | Start → |
Key Maths Topics — Strategies & Common Mistakes
The foundation of all 11 plus maths. Automatic recall here saves time across the entire paper.
- Multiplication tables to 12×12 — must be automatic
- Factors, multiples, LCM and HCF
- Prime numbers and prime factorisation
- Powers and square/cube roots
- Order of operations (BIDMAS)
The most commonly missed topic group. Multi-step questions combine all three in a single problem.
- Equivalent fractions and simplification
- Adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions
- Converting fractions ↔ decimals ↔ percentages
- Percentages of amounts and percentage increase/decrease
- Ratio and proportion
Often underestimated. Algebra questions at 11 plus are accessible with the right strategies.
- Writing and solving simple equations
- Substituting values into expressions
- Number sequences — find the next term and nth term
- Function machines
- Forming equations from word descriptions
Composite shapes and angle properties are the most frequently tested geometry topics.
- Area and perimeter of rectangles, triangles, circles
- Composite shapes — split into simpler parts
- Angle properties (triangles, quadrilaterals, on a line)
- Properties of 2D and 3D shapes
- Volume and surface area of cuboids
Data questions often trip students who misread the scale or confuse mean with median.
- Mean, median, mode and range
- Bar charts, line graphs and pie charts
- Frequency tables and two-way tables
- Probability as fractions
- Drawing conclusions from data
The hardest question type — requires reading, planning, and multi-stage calculation.
- Identify what is being asked before calculating
- Plan the steps needed to reach the answer
- Use trial and error for "find the number" problems
- Check units in all answers
- Always show working — partial credit counts
Mastering Calculator-Free Maths
No calculator is allowed in any 11 plus maths paper. This is the single biggest difference from classroom maths and the factor that most surprises students on their first timed practice paper. The solution is building mental arithmetic automaticity — not just knowing methods, but being able to apply them instantly.
The 5 Mental Arithmetic Skills That Save Most Time
- Times tables to 12×12 — if your child hesitates on 8×7, they're losing seconds on dozens of questions. This must be fully automatic before timed papers begin
- Division facts from times tables — 56 ÷ 7 = 8 should be as instant as 7 × 8 = 56
- Percentage benchmarks — know instantly that 10% = ÷10, 5% = ÷20, 25% = ÷4, 50% = ÷2
- Fraction-decimal-percentage equivalents — 1/4 = 0.25 = 25% without calculation
- Rounding and estimation — quickly checking that an answer is in the right ballpark catches calculation errors
✅ Daily Mental Maths Routine (5–10 minutes)
- Monday: Times tables speed test (all tables 1–12 in under 3 minutes)
- Tuesday: 20 percentage calculations mentally (15% of 60, 35% of 80 etc.)
- Wednesday: Fraction ↔ decimal ↔ percentage conversions (15 conversions in 5 minutes)
- Thursday: Mental addition and subtraction of 3-digit numbers
- Friday: Mixed rapid-fire: 20 questions, 3 topics mixed
Strategies for 11 Plus Maths Word Problems
Word problems combine reading comprehension with mathematical calculation — and they are consistently the questions where students lose the most marks through misreading, not mathematical inability.
The 4-Step Word Problem Method
- Read twice: First read for context and story. Second read to identify specifically what is being asked and what information is given.
- Underline the question: Physically underline the sentence that states what must be found. This prevents the most common error of solving the wrong thing.
- Plan before calculating: Write the calculation steps in order before doing any arithmetic. "I need to find the total cost, then subtract the discount, then add VAT."
- Check the units: Does the answer need to be in metres, pence, kilograms? A numerically correct answer with the wrong units loses the mark.
6-Week 11 Plus Maths Improvement Plan
Week 1 — Diagnostic & Number Foundation
- Complete untimed diagnostic test across all topics — score each topic area separately
- Identify 2 weakest topic areas — these become Weeks 2–3 priority
- Start daily mental maths routine (5–10 minutes every day)
- Times tables check: every table to 12 — any hesitation = daily drill required
Weeks 2–3 — Targeted Topic Practice
- Fractions/Decimals/Percentages practice: 15 questions daily using Maths Hub
- Algebra and sequences: 10 questions daily — substitution and equation solving
- Geometry: area/perimeter of composite shapes daily
- Review every wrong answer — identify whether it was a knowledge gap or a reading error
Weeks 4–5 — Timed Practice & Mixed Papers
- Begin timed topic tests — 20 questions in 20 minutes
- Complete mixed topic papers combining all areas
- Focus on word problems: practise the 4-step method on 5 word problems daily
- First full timed mock paper — 45 questions in 45 minutes
Week 6 — Full Mock Exams & Final Polish
- Complete two full timed maths mock papers under exam conditions using Full Mock Test Hub
- Review every wrong answer: which topic? Which error type?
- Light daily practice in final 3 days — confidence building only
All 11+ Resources — Free, No Sign-Up
Frequently Asked Questions
What maths topics are tested in the 11 plus exam?
The 11 plus maths paper covers the complete KS2 curriculum without a calculator: number and arithmetic, fractions/decimals/percentages, ratio and proportion, algebra, geometry (area, perimeter, angles, shapes), data handling, measures, and multi-step word problems. All topics may appear in a single 45–50 minute paper requiring approximately 60 seconds per question.
How long is the 11 plus maths test?
GL Assessment: dedicated maths paper, 45–50 minutes, 40–50 questions (approximately 60 seconds each). CEM: numerical reasoning blended into mixed papers at approximately 45–50 seconds per question. No calculator in either format.
Are calculators allowed in the 11 plus maths test?
No. Calculators are strictly not permitted in any 11 plus maths paper — GL Assessment, CEM, or any major grammar school entrance exam. All calculations must use mental arithmetic or written methods. Automatic times tables recall and mental percentage calculation are essential preparation priorities.
What is the most difficult maths topic in the 11 plus?
The most commonly missed topics are: fractions combined with percentages and ratio in multi-step problems, algebra substitution, area and perimeter of composite shapes, and multi-step word problems requiring several calculation stages. These require systematic practice with worked examples rather than simple repetition.
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