Understanding the 11+ question format... and what to look out for.

Sometimes I get asked the slightly tricky question of how many questions are actually in the exam?

The honest answer is… it depends.

The 11+ isn’t a single standardised test. Different schools and exam boards use different formats, which means the number of questions can vary quite a bit. That said, there are some helpful patterns that can give you a clear idea of what to expect.

Understanding the Different Providers

In the UK, most 11+ exams fall under a few main providers: GL Assessment, CEM, or independently set papers by highly selective schools. I have more on different exam providers in my post 11+ Exams Explained.

Each has a slightly different structure, and this affects the number of questions your child will face.

It’s also worth understanding whether your child’s exam is multiple choice or written, as this affects how questions are structured. I explain this in more detail in Are the 11+ Exams Multiple Choice?

GL Assessment

GL papers tend to be more predictable and structured.

• Maths papers often contain around 40–50 questions
• English and verbal reasoning papers can range from 40 to 80 questions, depending on the format
• Questions are usually shorter and more clearly defined

Because of this, children often work through questions at a steady pace.

CEM

CEM papers are a little different.

• They often contain fewer questions overall, but
• Each question may be more complex or time-pressured
• Sections can be mixed (e.g. comprehension + vocabulary + reasoning)

This means it’s not just about the number of questions—it’s about how quickly your child can process them.

Written papers (some private and grammar schools)

Highly selective independent schools often set their own papers.

• These can vary widely
• Some may include longer written responses rather than lots of short questions
• Creative writing tasks may replace large sections of multiple-choice questions

In these cases, quality matters far more than quantity. For more on the expectations of the 11+ English written papers, visit www.study-planet.co.uk

Adaptive vs Non-Adaptive Tests

One thing that can make the number of questions feel a bit confusing is whether the test is adaptive or non-adaptive.

In a non-adaptive test, every child is given the same set of questions.
This is the most traditional format and is still widely used in paper-based exams. The number of questions is fixed, and every child works through the same paper under timed conditions.

In an adaptive test, the questions change depending on how your child is performing.
If they answer a question correctly, the next one may become slightly more challenging. If they get something wrong, the test may adjust and offer an easier question.

This means:

• your child won’t necessarily see the same questions as others
• the difficulty level is tailored as they go
• the total number of questions can sometimes vary slightly

You’re will only come across adaptive testing in computer exams, such as those used by some grammar schools or platforms like Atom Learning.

Why This Matters

Understanding the difference can really help you prepare your child in the right way.

With non-adaptive tests, the focus is on covering the full range of question types and working steadily through a fixed paper.

With adaptive tests, it becomes more about confidence and consistency, as the test is constantly adjusting to your child’s level.

In both cases, the exact number of questions matters less than how comfortably your child can approach them.

Does the Number of Questions Matter?

It’s tempting to focus on “how many questions” as a measure of difficulty but in reality, the number itself isn’t the most important factor.

What really matters is:

• the time pressure
• the style of questions
• the expected level of accuracy

For example, 50 short multiple-choice questions can feel very different from 20 longer, written ones.

What This Means for Your Child

Rather than focusing purely on numbers, it’s much more helpful to prepare your child to:

• work steadily under timed conditions
• stay calm if they can’t answer every question
• move on quickly when needed

In most 11+ exams, children are not expected to finish every question perfectly. Learning how to manage time is just as important as knowing the content.

A Simple Way to Think About It

Instead of asking, “How many questions are there?”, it can be more useful to think:

• How quickly does my child work?
• Can they stay focused under time pressure?
• Do they recognise question types quickly?

These are the skills that make the biggest difference on the day.

Final Thoughts

The number of questions in the 11+ varies depending on the exam board and school. What matters far more than the exact number is how your child approaches them.

With the right preparation, confidence, and familiarity with the format, the number of questions becomes much less intimidating—and much more manageable.