The 11+ English Exam
Guidance, practice, and free resources to support your 11+ English preparation
The 11+ English exam tests far more than reading ability. Children are expected to understand complex texts, use accurate grammar and spelling, apply a broad vocabulary, and write clearly under time pressure.
Whether your child is just starting their journey or refining their skills closer to the exam, Bond offers structured, progressive practice you can trust. Our resources are:
- Trusted by parents and teachers
- Suitable for GL, CEM and ISEB-style exams
- Ideal for home study or independent learning
About the 11+ English exam
The 11+ English exam often includes a comprehension (reading) paper, grammar, spelling, punctuation and sometimes a separate writing test. It is a common test for the 11+ exam.
What skills are required to pass the 11+ English exam?
To be successful in the 11+ English exam children must have:
- Fluent reading skills
- A wide-ranging vocabulary
- Excellent spelling skills
- A thorough understanding of the rules and patterns of the English language
What is tested in the 11+ English exam?
11+ English papers are designed to test a children's ability to:
- Read a piece of text or texts and answer questions on it
- Scan, deduct, reason and justify
- Write independently
- Solve grammar and punctuation problems
- Spot incorrect spellings
- Read a sentence and answer questions on individual word meanings
What is the format of 11+ English exam?
11+ English papers can be written in two formats: multiple-choice or standard. For multiple-choice, children need to choose their answer from a set of options and mark it on a separate answer sheet. For standard format tests, children must write their answers directly onto the question paper.
How long is the 11+ English exam?
The 11+ English exam is timed, typically lasting between 45 minutes and one hour. It is important for children to work through practice materials in both timed and non-timed environments to support both learning and exam-day preparation.
What your child will learn with Bond 11+ English
Each Bond 11+ English resource focuses on developing both knowledge and exam technique, helping children to:
- Understand a wide range of texts, including both fiction and non-fiction
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Answer comprehension questions accurately and confidently
- Improve sentence structure, punctuation, and spelling
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Approach challenging questions step by step
Bond 11+ English books and resources
11+ Assessment Practice
Ages 5-11+. Essential learning and exam-style practice for the 11+ exam. Ideal for beginners or for levelling-up skills.
Buy Bond 11+ Assessment Practice 11+ Handbooks
Ages 8-11+. Step-by-step guidance and techniques for answering 11+ English questions.
Buy Bond 11+ Handbooks 11+ 10 Minute Tests
11+ Test Papers
Bond CEM Practice
Ages 8-11+. Assessment Practice, 10 Minute Tests, and Test Papers, specifically created for the CEM (now Cambridge Select Insight) exam.
Buy Bond CEM Practice books11+ Vocabulary Flashcards
Ages 9-11+. Master vocabulary with 200 11+ words and definitions per pack.
Buy Bond Vocabulary Flashcards11+ Comprehension Test Papers
Ages 9-12+. Exam-style comprehension practice papers for the 11+ English exam.
Buy Bond 11+ Comprehension Papers11+ Focus On
Ages 9-11+. Practical, accessible step-by-step guides to tackling the Writing and Comprehension elements of the 11+ English exam.
Buy Bond Focus OnNo Nonsense
Ages 5-11+. General English skills practice for KS1 and KS2, aligned to the National Curriculum.
Buy No NonsenseBond Online
Bond Online Premium and Premium Plus
Ages 9+. Personalised online 11+ and independent school entrance exam prep, with questions from Bond and, powered by CENTURY's award-winning AI.
Try Bond Online PremiumFree 11+ English resources
Looking for more support and resources? Bond has lots of free resources to help support you and your child or pupil with their 11+ English preparation. You can browse our free English resources below.
Note that in order to access some of our free resources, you will need to register for a free Bond account.
Free sample: No Nonsense English
Practise core English skills with 47 free lessons from Bond No Nonsense English for Age 8-9.
Download No Nonsense sampleHow to Videos
Master Cloze Tests and Comprehension questions with Bond How to Videos, featuring expert tutor Alvon Stewart.
Free Online Practice
Try some interactive quizzes in the Bond Free Practice area. Note that you will need to log in to your free Bond account to access the practice area.
Free online practiceVocabulary Flashcard Games
Boost 11+ word knowledge with Bond's free downloadable Vocabulary Flashcard games.
Free Vocabulary Flashcard gamesBond Placement Tests
Use the Bond Placement Tests to assess your child's strengths and weaknesses across the four main 11+ subjects. Note that to access the answers you will need to create a free Bond account.
Download the Bond Placement Tests Download answers