Expert Insights

What is the CEM Exam?

Published 28th April 2023 by Alastair

The Evolution of CEM's 11+ Grammar School Admissions Exams

Until 2022, The Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring (CEM) played a significant role in the UK's 11+ grammar school admissions exams landscape. Historically, these exams were one of the main providers of written assessment exams and a crucial determinant in whether a child gained admission to a grammar school. Parents often sought out the best ways to prepare their children for these exams, which traditionally consisted of paper-based tests covering a variety of subjects. However, a significant shift occurred in 2022 that changed the nature of these exams and how they are administered, shifting the dynamics of their popularity amongst grammar schools.

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CEM’s Shift to Online-Only Exams

In late 2022, CEM decisively transitioned from the traditional paper-based 11+ exams to an entirely online format. This change marked the end of an era for the standard 11+ exams that CEM had provided for many years. The decision to move to online-only exams was part of a broader trend towards digitalisation in education, aimed at making the exam process more efficient and accessible.

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Current State of CEM Exams

Currently, CEM provides a range of digital tests designed to be more flexible and responsive to students' abilities. Unlike the static, one-size-fits-all approach of the past, these adaptive tests adjust in difficulty based on the student's responses during the exam, offering a more personalised and accurate measure of their skills.

The CEM exams now cover a variety of subjects, including verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and mathematics, similar to the traditional 11+ exams. However, the online format allows for a more interactive experience, where questions can dynamically change based on performance, ensuring that each student's abilities are thoroughly evaluated.

These changes have aligned the CEM exams with modern educational practices, focusing on students' cognitive abilities rather than rote memorisation or simple test-taking skills. While the move to online exams has fundamentally altered how these assessments are conducted, CEM plays a crucial role in evaluating students' readiness for academic advancement.

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GL vs. CEM: The Shift in Exam Providers

Many schools that had previously relied on CEM for their 11+ grammar school admissions tests have shifted to using GL (Granada Learning) as their primary exam provider. GL has become the dominant provider, especially for schools that prefer the traditional paper-based format and a more consistent testing structure. While CEM continues to offer innovative, adaptive online assessments, GL's exams are now more widely used in grammar schools across the UK, maintaining a more familiar approach for schools and students.

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FAQs

GL exams are primarily used for grammar school admissions in the UK, offering a traditional paper-based format with a consistent structure. CEM exams, on the other hand, have transitioned to an online, adaptive format that tailors the difficulty of questions to each student’s performance.

In late 2022, CEM moved to an online-only format to modernize their assessment process, making it more accessible and flexible. The new format adapts to students' responses in real-time, offering a personalized assessment of their abilities.

Currently, GL exams are more widely used for grammar school admissions in the UK, particularly after many schools transitioned to GL following CEM’s shift to online exams. GL's paper-based exams are preferred by many schools for their consistency and familiarity.

Both GL and CEM exams typically cover subjects such as verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and mathematics. However, CEM's online format offers an adaptive approach, whereas GL exams follow a more traditional, fixed format.

Yes, students can still take CEM exams, but these are now offered online with an adaptive format. However, many grammar schools have shifted to using GL as their primary exam provider due to the consistency and structure of their assessments.

Preparation for the GL exam can involve familiarising your child with the exam format through practice papers, honing their time management skills, and supporting their overall academic development through reading, problem-solving, and mental math exercises. For detailed preparation strategies, click here to learn more.