Maths is a cornerstone of the 11 plus exam. Whether your child is preparing for GL assessment or CEM exam board tests, strong maths skills are essential. The good news is that 11 plus maths is firmly grounded in primary school curriculum, with some extensions. With the right maths practice papers and a structured approach, most children can achieve significant improvement.
This guide explains exactly how to use maths practice papers most effectively, which topics to prioritise for 11 plus maths practice, and how our free practice test can support your child's preparation.
Key fact: 11 plus maths goes slightly beyond the standard Year 6 curriculum, particularly in areas like algebra, ratio, probability and complex word problems. Early preparation gives children time to develop these skills comfortably before exam day.
What Maths Topics Appear in 11 Plus Exam Papers?
The 11 plus maths exam covers a broad range of topics. Here are the main areas you'll find in GL assessment and CEM maths papers:
Number and Arithmetic
- Mental arithmetic with all four operations
- Fractions, decimals and percentages, converting between them and calculating with them
- Ratios and proportion
- Rounding numbers to decimal places and significant figures
- Factors, multiples and prime numbers
- Sequences and number patterns
Algebra
- Simple equations (e.g., 3x + 7 = 22, solve for x)
- Using letters to represent unknown values
- Number pattern rules expressed algebraically
Shape and Geometry
- Area and perimeter of rectangles, triangles, circles
- Volume and surface area of 3D shapes
- Angles in triangles, quadrilaterals and on straight lines
- Coordinates and reflection
- Properties of 2D and 3D shapes
Data and Probability
- Reading charts, tables and graphs
- Mean, median, mode and range
- Basic probability (fractions, decimals and percentages)
Word Problems
Word problems are a significant part of 11 plus maths practice papers. They require children to read carefully, extract key information and apply maths in real-world contexts. Children often find these challenging because the skill is applying maths under reading pressure, not just calculating.
GL Assessment Maths vs CEM Maths
GL assessment maths papers tend to have a more predictable format with clearly defined question types. GL papers are great for structured, systematic preparation using topic-by-topic maths practice papers.
CEM maths tends to integrate maths with other reasoning skills and may present questions in less familiar formats. The emphasis on mental speed and number agility is particularly strong in CEM. Children preparing for CEM exams should practise maths practice tests under strict time pressure.
Both exam boards require strong mental arithmetic, the ability to calculate quickly and accurately without a calculator. This is the single most important skill to develop through regular maths practice.
How to Use Maths Practice Papers Effectively
1. Identify Topic Weaknesses Early
Use a mix of full papers and topic-specific maths practice papers to identify where your child struggles. Subject-specific assessment using topic worksheets for just fractions, or just algebra, is far more efficient than repeatedly doing full papers if there are specific gaps.
2. Build Mental Maths Speed
Daily mental maths practice is transformative. Even 5–10 minutes of rapid-fire mental arithmetic each day builds the speed children need in exam conditions. Use timestables, quick percentage calculations and number bonds as warm-ups.
3. Learn to Show Working
Even in multiple-choice maths papers, encourage children to write out working in rough. This reduces errors and allows them to check their work. For complex word problems, writing out the key information from the question helps enormously.
4. Move to Full Timed Maths Papers
Once topic work is solid, move to full maths practice papers under timed conditions. This builds the stamina and pacing skills needed on exam day. Our free practice test includes 10 maths questions in a timed 15-minute paper.
5. Review Wrong Answers in Detail
After every practice paper, go through every incorrect answer. Don't just note that it was wrong, understand exactly where the thinking went wrong. Was it a calculation error? A misunderstanding of the question? A gaps in a topic? This review process is where the real learning happens.
Try Free 11 Plus Maths Practice Now
Our free practice test includes 10 maths questions covering key 11 plus topics, plus verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and English. Instant report included.
Start Free Maths Practice →Key Maths Skills for 11 Plus Success
Fractions, Decimals and Percentages
This is one of the highest-yield areas for 11 plus maths practice. Children must be completely confident converting between fractions, decimals and percentages, and calculating with all three. Questions like "What is 15% of 240?" or "What is 7/8 of 64?" are common in both GL and CEM maths papers.
Speed and Accuracy Under Time Pressure
Timed practice is absolutely essential for maths. Many children can answer questions correctly, but too slowly. Timed papers train children to work at the pace required in the real exam. Start with generous time allowances and gradually reduce as confidence builds.
Word Problems
Word problems require a two-stage skill: understanding what the question is asking, then applying maths to answer it. Practise these specifically, they are worth a lot in exam papers and often where children lose the most marks.
Recommended 11 Plus Maths Practice Schedule
- Daily (10 min): Mental arithmetic, tables, quick percentages, number bonds
- 3× per week (20–30 min): Topic-based maths practice papers
- Weekly: One full timed practice test covering all 11 plus subjects
- Monthly: A full-length maths paper under strict exam conditions
Best 11 Plus Maths Practice Resources
Here are the best resources for 11 plus maths practice:
- 11PlusQuiz Free Practice Test, Free, timed, instant report. Includes 10 maths questions covering key 11 plus topics.
- Bond 11 Plus Maths Papers, The most widely used paid practice papers. Age-targeted for Years 5–6.
- CGP 11 Plus Maths Practice Papers, Excellent quality, good value. Available for GL and CEM formats.
- Schofield & Sims Mental Arithmetic Books, Outstanding for building mental maths speed.
- Khan Academy, Free video tutorials for any topic your child is struggling with.
What Score Do Children Need in 11 Plus Maths?
Scores are reported as part of an overall Standard Age Score (SAS) using age-standardised scoring. In maths specifically, grammar schools typically expect scores well above the average. The SAS for maths (and across all 11 plus subjects) typically needs to be 110+ for competitive grammar school entry, though this varies by school and region.
Our practice test report includes an estimated overall SAS to give you a useful benchmark of where your child currently stands.
Common 11 Plus Maths Mistakes to Avoid
- Not reading the question carefully: Word problems in particular require careful reading, easy marks are lost by answering a different question to the one asked
- Skipping rough working: Mental shortcuts lead to preventable errors, always jot down working
- Spending too long on one question: Move on and come back rather than losing time on a single difficult question
- Not checking answers: If time allows, always go back and check calculations
- Forgetting units: In geometry questions, always include units (cm, cm², m³) in answers
Summary: Consistent daily maths practice focusing on mental arithmetic speed, combined with systematic use of maths practice papers and careful answer review, is the most effective approach to 11 plus maths preparation. Start early, track progress, and use our free practice test regularly.
For a broader overview of 11 plus preparation across all subjects, read our complete 11 plus preparation guide. Or take our free practice test now to see where your child currently stands.