11 Plus GL Assessment Mocks | 11+ Online Full-Length Mocks

What are GL Assessment 11+ Mocks?

For many children, sitting the GL 11Plus exam can be a daunting prospect. Regardless of their knowledge in Maths and English, it’s unlikely that most kids will have experienced many formal assessments in these areas- let alone a test which can decide their pathway into a grammar or independent school. Luckily, this is where 11+ GL mocks come into play.

11+ GL mocks are tests which are formatted to be as similar as possible to the real GL 11+ exam; however, unlike the actual GL 11Plus, the result of a mock does not have any consequences on your child’s educational future. 11 plus Mock Exams can therefore be an excellent way for your child to develop their confidence and skills in sitting a formalised 11+ test in advance of their actual assessment. 

Read on to find out more about this excellent method of supporting your child in their journey toward 11 Plus success.

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GL 11+ exam pattern, question styles and subjects covered

The GL exam board is one of the largest 11 Plus administrators in the UK. Their 11Plus exam pattern is split into four key subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Individual schools sometimes might choose to exclude one or two of these. However, it’s generally a safe bet that the GL 11+ will assess these areas.

Unlike some other 11+ boards (such as CEM), the GL board splits these four subjects into clear separate sections. The GL exam papers tend to last 45 minutes- however, this can sometimes vary based on the school or consortium in question. All GL questions are drawn from a standard question bank, and therefore practice (through GL-style resources or mocks) is particularly likely to yield benefits. 

The GL 11 Plus questions can vary between standard format (where children write their answer in a blank space next to the question- for example, creative writing) and multiple choice format (where children are given a range of possible answers to choose from). Therefore, your child should aim to be prepared for both possible question formats.

What are the benefits of 11+ GL mock exams? Why choose mocks instead of normal practice resources?

Not all parents choose to have their child sit 11+ GL mock exams ahead of their real assessment date. So why choose mocks instead of simply using normal 11Plus practice resources?

Well, many families with children who have successfully secured places in grammar schools or selective independent schools do feel that mocks are an exceptionally useful tool in preparing for the 11Plus test. Here are a few benefits of online 11+ mock exams:

1. They provide structure

If your child is preparing for their 11+ exam several months in advance, 11 Plus mocks can be an excellent way of introducing helpful goals or milestones in their study schedule. Your child might benefit from knowing that they are studying for a practice exam, and this might help their studying to be more focused and purposeful.

2. They can lessen the stress of the real exam

Assessments don’t just require knowledge; they also require a calm, confident, organised mindset. For some children, 11+ mocks can be an excellent way of reducing anxiety about their real test, as practicing answering questions in an exam setting can allow them to become familiar with the GL exam pattern, format, timings, and skills associated with answering questions against the clock. 

If your child sits 11Plus mocks, it’s very likely that they will feel an increased sense of confidence approaching their real 11 Plus test date.

3. They can help you identify subject strengths and areas for improvement

For many parents, one of the key benefits of 11Plus mocks is that they are professionally marked and provide a realistic snapshot of a child’s academic abilities. For example, if your child sits an 11Plus mock and scores excellently in Maths but struggles with certain questions in the English section like vocabulary, comprehension, grammar etc., or the Non-Verbal Reasoning section, you will be able to help them focus more on these questions in their study schedule going forward.

4. They can help your child hone their exam skills

Aside from subject knowledge, it’s important your child has a strong set of exam skills- such as good time management and a sound ability to read and answer questions quickly, accurately and effectively. Mocks are often the best way to help your child develop these abilities.

How and when to attend GL mocks

11+ GL Mock exams are run by various providers in many regions across England and on a variety of dates throughout spring until autumn (April through to September are the most popular months). To sign your child up for an 11 Plus Mock exam, try using a search engine to locate nearby venues and providers and complete the booking process online. Costs for mock exams in venues can vary between £60-£150, but often discounts are available.

Regions where 11+ GL Mocks are beneficial

We recommend checking with your local council, school, or grammar consortium to check whether GL 11 plus mocks are suitable practice for your child’s upcoming 11+ exam. That said, regions where GL tests are commonly used include the following:

Buckinghamshire, Cumbria, Devon, Dorset, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Medway, Northern Ireland, Trafford, Wiltshire, Yorkshire

What About Online GL mocks?

If you are not keen to have your child sit a GL mock exam in a venue, you might consider using online GL 11plus  mock exams instead. 

This option can have the benefits of being cheaper and logistically more convenient than mocks held in-person- and while online GL 11+ mocks might not provide the full “realistic” exam-style experience, they can still provide your child with a great deal of excellent practice in question types, following the exam format and timings, and generally honing their assessment skills.

When is the right time to start mock exams?

Deciding when to schedule a mock exam can depend on your individual child and their circumstances. It can also depend on whether you plan to have your child sit a GL 11+ mock test more than once, or if you only plan to have them sit one.

Some parents opt to book mocks several months in advance; while this could have advantages, it’s important to remember that scheduling a mock too early might not be that useful. That said, you should also avoid booking very late.

We recommend scheduling at least 6 or 8 weeks before their exam date and usually no more than 3 months ahead; this will leave a useful amount of time to receive their result and to adapt their study schedule based on the outcome.

What to do before, during and after a GL 11+ Mock:

Before:

Ensure your child is aware when they’re sitting the mock that it’s designed to help them and is therefore nothing to be nervous about- it is a learning experience.

Have them revise KS2 National Curriculum for Maths and English, along with practice and past papers for Verbal and Non Verbal Reasoning. If you feel it would be helpful, consider hiring an 11+ tutor to support your child’s studying. Remember that when it comes to revision, little-and-often is best. 

During:

Try to help your child be aware of time management and exam skills. Help them practice identifying and answering easy questions, circling and returning to harder ones, and not rushing throughout. You should also talk to them about the importance of parsing questions carefully, ensuring they fully understand what is being asked in any given context. 

After-Go over your child’s results with them- praise them for the things they’ve done well, and look together at areas which they found difficult. Factor in both of these things into your child’s future study schedule. Remember, you can always use specialised 11+ online courses to help your child develop more.