Self-Learning Resources
The best books, practice papers and online platforms for independent 11+ preparation — organised by exam type so you know exactly what to buy for your target schools.
How to use this guide
- 1. Find your exam type below (check which test your target schools use on their exam pages)
- 2. Download any free official familiarisation materials first — these show the exact format
- 3. Choose one core book series (CGP or Bond) as your backbone
- 4. Supplement with online platforms for adaptive practice and variety
- 5. Add general resources (vocabulary, mental maths) for broad skill building
Kent Test
The Kent Test is a GL Assessment paper covering English, Maths and Reasoning. It is one of the best-supported exams for self-study, with official familiarisation materials and extensive third-party resources available.
Recommended Books & Practice Papers
CGP 11+ GL Practice Papers (English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning)
CGP Books · Year 4–6
The most widely used 11+ practice series. Separate books for each subject with multiple full-length papers and detailed answers. GL-format multiple-choice.
CGP 11+ GL 10-Minute Tests
CGP Books · Year 4–6
Bite-sized tests ideal for daily practice sessions. Each test takes roughly 10 minutes, making them perfect for after-school routines.
Bond 11+ Assessment Papers (GL Edition)
Oxford University Press (Bond) · Year 3–6
Progressive practice papers graded by age (7–8, 8–9, 9–10, 10–11, 11–12+). Useful for starting early and building up gradually.
Letts 11+ Practice Test Papers (GL format)
Letts · Year 5–6
Another strong practice paper series following the GL format. Good as supplementary material when you have worked through CGP and Bond.
Schofield & Sims Mental Arithmetic
Schofield & Sims · Year 3–6
Structured mental arithmetic workbooks (Books 1–6) that build speed and accuracy. Excellent for strengthening the maths foundations needed for the Kent Test.
Online Platforms & Digital Resources
Atom Learning
PaidAdaptive online platform with thousands of GL-format questions. Tracks progress and adjusts difficulty automatically. Includes mock tests.
Best for: Structured self-paced online prep with progress tracking
Visit website11 Plus Guide
Free + PaidFree familiarisation tests and paid practice papers in GL format. Includes Kent Test-specific papers with answer sheets.
Best for: Free starting point with option to upgrade
Visit websiteBond Online (11+)
PaidDigital companion to Bond practice papers with interactive exercises and adaptive assessments.
Best for: Supplementing Bond books with interactive practice
Visit websiteIXL Maths & English
PaidComprehensive curriculum-aligned platform covering KS2 maths and English skills. Not 11+-specific but excellent for building core foundations.
Best for: Strengthening core KS2 skills before 11+ practice
Visit websiteOfficial & Consortium Resources
Kent County Council Familiarisation Materials
Free official sample papers and guidance published by Kent County Council. Essential starting point — shows the exact format your child will face.
Visit websiteGL Assessment Familiarisation Resources
GL Assessment publishes familiarisation booklets showing question styles and answer sheet formats. Check their website for free downloads.
Self-Study Tips for Kent Test
- Start 12–18 months before the test with gentle familiarisation, increasing intensity in the final 6 months
- Aim for 20–30 minutes of focused practice per day rather than long weekend sessions
- Rotate subjects — don't spend a whole week on one area
- Use timed conditions for the final 3 months to build exam stamina
- Mark papers together and discuss errors — understanding why an answer is wrong is more valuable than repetition
- Download the free Kent County Council familiarisation materials first — they show the exact format
CSSE 11+
The CSSE exam includes a unique creative writing component alongside comprehension, maths and verbal reasoning. Self-study requires specific attention to timed writing practice — an area most generic 11+ books do not cover well.
Recommended Books & Practice Papers
CGP 11+ Practice Papers (English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning)
CGP Books · Year 4–6
While not CSSE-specific, CGP papers cover the core subjects well. Use the standard (non-GL, non-CEM) editions for the closest match.
Bond 11+ Creative Writing (How to Do)
Oxford University Press (Bond) · Year 4–6
Step-by-step guide to creative writing for 11+ exams. Covers planning, structure, vocabulary enrichment and editing under timed conditions.
Letts 11+ Creative Writing Workbook
Letts · Year 5–6
Guided exercises for descriptive writing, story structure, character development and timed writing practice.
CSSE-Style Practice Papers (various publishers)
Various (Learning Together, Swot Tots, AE Publications) · Year 5–6
Several independent publishers produce CSSE-format papers. Quality varies — look for recent editions that match the current format.
Schofield & Sims Comprehension
Schofield & Sims · Year 3–6
Progressive comprehension workbooks (Books 1–6) building from literal retrieval to inference and evaluation. Develops the close-reading skills needed for CSSE English.
Online Platforms & Digital Resources
Atom Learning
PaidCovers English, Maths and Verbal Reasoning for CSSE. Does not cover creative writing — supplement with paper-based writing practice.
Best for: Online practice for the non-writing components
Visit websitePobble 365
FreeDaily writing prompts with evocative images. Excellent free resource for daily creative writing warm-ups.
Best for: Daily creative writing prompts to build imagination and fluency
Visit websiteLiteracy Shed
Free + PaidShort films and images designed to inspire creative writing. Teachers use this extensively — ideal for home writing sessions.
Best for: Visual story starters for creative writing practice
Visit websiteOfficial & Consortium Resources
CSSE Official Familiarisation Booklet
The CSSE publishes a familiarisation booklet on their website showing question styles, paper format and creative writing expectations.
Visit websiteSelf-Study Tips for CSSE 11+
- Dedicate specific time to creative writing — it is the component families most commonly neglect
- Write one timed story (25 minutes) per week from Year 5 onwards, building to twice weekly by summer of Year 6
- Read published model answers to understand what examiners reward — look for structure, vocabulary range and technical accuracy
- For comprehension, practise explaining answers in full sentences rather than one-word responses
- Build vocabulary through wide reading — keep a vocab journal of interesting words encountered
- Time yourself on maths papers early — the CSSE maths paper is notably time-pressured
GL Assessment 11+
GL Assessment papers are used across multiple consortiums (Buckinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Trafford, Wirral and many others). The same core resources work across all GL regions, but check your specific consortium for exact paper combinations and weighting.
Recommended Books & Practice Papers
CGP 11+ GL Practice Papers (Full Range)
CGP Books · Year 4–6
Separate books for English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning in GL format. The gold standard for GL preparation — multiple papers per book with detailed answers.
CGP 11+ GL Study & Revision Guides
CGP Books · Year 4–6
Teach-then-test format. Explains concepts and techniques before testing them. Better for learning than pure practice papers.
Bond 11+ Assessment Papers (Ages 7–12+)
Oxford University Press (Bond) · Year 3–6
Graded by age with progressive difficulty. The age-staged approach works well for starting preparation early in Year 3 or 4.
Bond How to Do Verbal / Non-Verbal Reasoning
Oxford University Press (Bond) · Year 4–5
Technique guides that teach the method for each question type. Essential if your child hasn't encountered reasoning before — teaches the 'how' before the 'practice'.
Letts 11+ Success Practice Test Papers
Letts · Year 5–6
GL-format multiple-choice papers. Useful as supplementary material. Includes a score conversion chart to benchmark performance.
Online Platforms & Digital Resources
Atom Learning
PaidMarket-leading adaptive platform specifically designed for GL 11+ preparation. Thousands of questions with detailed explanations and progress tracking.
Best for: Comprehensive online GL prep with adaptive difficulty
Visit website11 Plus Guide
Free + PaidFree familiarisation tests and timed quizzes in GL format. Paid papers also available.
Best for: Free entry point for GL practice
Visit websiteCGP Online 11+ Practice
PaidOnline companion to CGP books with additional practice questions and mock tests in GL format.
Best for: Extending CGP book practice with digital questions
Visit websiteThird Space Learning (Maths)
Free + PaidFree maths resources aligned to the KS2 curriculum. Worksheets, lesson slides and assessments. Not 11+-specific but excellent for building foundations.
Best for: Free maths curriculum resources to strengthen KS2 basics
Visit websiteOfficial & Consortium Resources
GL Assessment Familiarisation Materials
GL publishes free familiarisation booklets and sample answer sheets. Download from the GL website or through your consortium.
Your Local Consortium Website
Each GL consortium publishes its own guidance, sample materials and key dates. Always check: Buckinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Trafford, Wirral, Devon, Dorset, etc.
Self-Study Tips for GL Assessment 11+
- Identify which GL consortium applies to your target schools — paper combinations and subjects tested vary
- Start with the Bond 'How to Do' guides for reasoning if your child hasn't seen these question types before
- Use CGP practice papers as the backbone, supplemented by Bond and Letts
- Practise filling in multiple-choice answer sheets — many marks are lost to simple transcription errors
- Set a timer from month 3 onwards — GL papers are time-pressured and pacing is a key skill
- Download the free GL familiarisation materials before purchasing anything
CEM 11+ (Durham University)
CEM tests are deliberately designed to resist coaching — they don't publish past papers and change their format annually. Self-study for CEM should focus on building broad ability rather than drilling specific question types. Wide reading and strong mental maths are more important than practice papers.
Recommended Books & Practice Papers
CGP 11+ CEM-Style Practice Papers
CGP Books · Year 5–6
CEM-style (not official) papers covering verbal ability, numerical ability and non-verbal reasoning. The closest approximation available, though the real test may differ in format.
CGP 11+ CEM 10-Minute Tests
CGP Books · Year 5–6
Short CEM-style tests for daily practice. Good for building familiarity with the mixed-format CEM approach where verbal, numerical and non-verbal questions are interspersed.
Bond 11+ CEM Assessment Papers
Oxford University Press (Bond) · Year 5–6
CEM-style papers from Bond. Useful for variety — since CEM changes format yearly, exposure to multiple publishers' interpretations is beneficial.
Wider Reading Collection (any quality fiction & non-fiction)
Various · Year 3–6
CEM verbal sections test advanced vocabulary and comprehension. The single most effective preparation is regular reading of challenging books — fiction, non-fiction, newspapers, encyclopaedias and magazines.
Schofield & Sims Mental Arithmetic (Books 4–6)
Schofield & Sims · Year 4–6
CEM numerical sections require rapid mental calculation. These workbooks build speed and accuracy systematically.
Online Platforms & Digital Resources
Atom Learning (CEM Mode)
PaidAtom offers a CEM preparation mode with mixed-format questions, timed sections and adaptive difficulty. One of the few platforms with dedicated CEM content.
Best for: Structured online CEM prep with adaptive learning
Visit websiteReadTheory
FreeFree adaptive reading comprehension platform. Adjusts to your child's reading level and tracks progress over time. Excellent for building the inference and vocabulary skills CEM tests demand.
Best for: Free daily reading comprehension practice
Visit websiteVocabulary Ninja / Word of the Day
FreeFree vocabulary-building resources including word-a-day calendars, word maps and games. Builds the advanced vocabulary breadth CEM tests require.
Best for: Fun daily vocabulary expansion
Visit websiteOfficial & Consortium Resources
No Official Past Papers
CEM deliberately does not release past papers or official practice materials. Any resource claiming to be 'official CEM papers' is a third-party approximation.
Individual School Websites
Schools using CEM sometimes provide their own guidance on what the test involves. Check the admissions pages of your target schools.
Self-Study Tips for CEM 11+ (Durham University)
- Wide reading is the single most effective CEM preparation — aim for 30+ minutes daily from Year 4
- Read a variety of genres: fiction, non-fiction, newspapers, encyclopaedias, poetry, science magazines
- Keep a vocabulary journal — write down unfamiliar words, look up definitions, use them in sentences
- Practise mental maths daily (5–10 minutes) — CEM numerical questions prioritise speed over complexity
- Don't over-rely on any single practice book — CEM changes format yearly, so breadth of exposure matters
- Since no official papers exist, focus on building broad ability rather than drilling specific question types
- Non-verbal reasoning practice from any publisher is useful — focus on understanding transformation rules
SET (Southend)
The SET covers English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning for Southend's four grammar schools. GL-style resources are the closest match for SET preparation, supplemented by any materials the consortium provides directly.
Recommended Books & Practice Papers
CGP 11+ GL Practice Papers
CGP Books · Year 4–6
GL-format papers are the best match for SET preparation. Use the full set — English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Bond 11+ Assessment Papers
Oxford University Press (Bond) · Year 4–6
Age-graded papers for progressive preparation. Start with age 9–10 papers and build up to 10–11 and 11–12+.
Bond How to Do Verbal / Non-Verbal Reasoning
Oxford University Press (Bond) · Year 4–5
Technique guides teaching the method for each reasoning question type. Essential starting point before attempting timed papers.
Online Platforms & Digital Resources
Atom Learning
PaidGL-format online preparation platform. Set the target to GL and select all four subjects. Progress tracking and mock tests included.
Best for: Comprehensive online prep matching SET format
Visit website11 Plus Guide
Free + PaidFree GL-format practice tests and timed quizzes. Good starting point before committing to a paid platform.
Best for: Free initial practice in GL format
Visit websiteOfficial & Consortium Resources
Southend Consortium Information
The SET consortium provides registration information, test dates and some familiarisation guidance. Check the websites of the four Southend grammar schools for details.
Self-Study Tips for SET (Southend)
- GL-format resources are your best match — buy CGP GL papers for all four subjects
- Start verbal reasoning early (12+ months out) as it is not taught in school
- Balance practice across all four subjects — many children neglect non-verbal reasoning
- Practise answer-sheet technique — filling in multiple-choice grids accurately under time pressure
- Use the final 3 months for full timed papers simulating real test conditions
School-Specific Tests
Schools with their own entrance tests vary widely in format. The best approach is to contact the school directly for guidance, then supplement with general 11+ resources. If the school publishes specimen papers, those are your most valuable resource.
Recommended Books & Practice Papers
CGP 11+ Practice Papers (Standard Edition)
CGP Books · Year 4–6
General 11+ papers covering English, Maths and Reasoning. Suitable for any school that tests these subjects, regardless of format.
Bond 11+ How to Do Series
Oxford University Press (Bond) · Year 4–6
Technique guides for each subject. Particularly useful when you don't know the exact format — building strong fundamentals covers you for any test style.
Bond 11+ Creative Writing (How to Do)
Oxford University Press (Bond) · Year 4–6
If the school includes a writing component, this guide covers planning, structure and vocabulary for timed creative writing.
Online Platforms & Digital Resources
Atom Learning
PaidCovers GL and CEM formats. If you know which style your school's test most resembles, select that mode.
Best for: Online practice when you know the approximate test style
Visit websiteIXL Maths & English
PaidCurriculum-aligned KS2 platform. Excellent for building core English and maths skills needed for any 11+ test.
Best for: Strengthening core KS2 skills before exam-specific prep
Visit websiteOfficial & Consortium Resources
School's Own Specimen Papers
If the school publishes specimen or sample papers on their website, these are your single most valuable resource. Study them carefully to understand the format.
School Admissions Office
Contact the school's admissions team directly. Many will advise on the scope, difficulty and format of their test, even if they can't share papers.
Self-Study Tips for School-Specific Tests
- Contact the school admissions office first — ask what subjects are tested and whether specimen papers are available
- If the school uses a GL or CEM-style test, follow the guidance for that exam type
- Build strong KS2 English and Maths foundations — these are tested by almost every school
- If the test includes an interview or activity day, practise discussing current affairs and expressing opinions clearly
- Focus preparation on the specific format once known — don't waste time on question types that won't appear
General Resources (All Exam Types)
These resources build core skills that benefit preparation for any 11+ exam type. Combine them with exam-specific materials above.
Schofield & Sims Mental Arithmetic
The gold standard for mental arithmetic practice. Six progressive books building from basic number bonds to complex multi-step mental calculations. Used by many primary schools.
Schofield & Sims Comprehension
Progressive comprehension workbooks (Books 1–6) developing retrieval, inference and evaluation skills through carefully graded passages.
Wordly Wise 3000
Structured vocabulary-building programme widely used in US and UK schools. Each lesson teaches 15 words through context, definitions and exercises.
ReadTheory
Adaptive reading comprehension platform that adjusts to your child's level. Tracks progress and offers exercises from basic to advanced.
Pobble 365
A new inspiring image every day with writing prompts. Ideal for daily 10-minute creative writing warm-ups.
Times Tables Rock Stars
Gamified times tables practice. Fast recall of multiplication facts is fundamental for 11+ maths papers where time is tight.
BBC Bitesize KS2
Free curriculum-aligned videos, quizzes and revision guides for KS2 English, Maths and Science from the BBC.
Khan Academy
Free video lessons and exercises covering maths at every level. The Year 5 and Year 6 maths sections map directly to 11+ content.
Suggested Self-Study Timeline
Year 4 (18–12 months out)
- Build reading habit (30 min/day)
- Start Schofield & Sims Mental Arithmetic
- Gentle familiarisation with reasoning question types
- Bond 'How to Do' guides for VR & NVR
Year 5 Autumn (12–9 months)
- Begin CGP/Bond practice papers (untimed)
- One reasoning paper per week
- Daily 10-min mental maths
- Vocabulary journal from reading
Year 5 Spring–Summer (9–3 months)
- Move to timed practice papers
- Two full papers per week minimum
- Focus on weakest subjects
- Start online platform (Atom/similar)
Final 3 Months
- Weekly full timed mock papers
- Answer-sheet practice (GL/SET)
- Review errors — don't just do new papers
- Wind down 1 week before test
Need more support than self-study?
Self-study works brilliantly for many families, but if your child needs additional guidance or you would like expert oversight, explore our tutor and institute listings.