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11+ English

11+ English tests comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, and spelling. TrueViQ maps every question to the National Curriculum so your child knows exactly what they're practising — and you can see which areas need more attention.

Why TrueViQ for 11+ English

Targeted practice, not generic worksheets — every question mapped, scored, and explained.

Curriculum-mapped

Every question links to a specific curriculum strand — comprehension, grammar, spelling — so practice is targeted, not random.

Real passages

Comprehension questions use age-appropriate fiction, non-fiction, and poetry — the same text types your child will encounter in the exam.

Quality-scored

Every question shows its TrueViQ Score™ — a quality rating from 0 to 100. Below our threshold? Your child never sees it.

The 6 curriculum strands

Every TrueViQ English question is mapped to one of these strands.

Comprehension

Understanding passages, inference, retrieval, and summary. The core of most 11+ English papers.

4

Vocabulary, Grammar & Punctuation

Sentence structure, tenses, word classes, punctuation rules, and grammatical accuracy.

4

Transcription / Spelling

Spelling patterns, common exception words, prefixes, suffixes, and homophones.

2

Word Reading

Decoding unfamiliar words, reading fluency, and applying phonic knowledge.

2

Composition

Not assessed in multiple-choice format

Planning, drafting, and organising writing. Assessed in extended writing tasks, not multiple choice.

Spoken Language

Not assessed in 11+ exams

Oral communication and listening. Part of the National Curriculum but not assessed in 11+ exams.

How children practise English on TrueViQ

Three modes — each suited to a different stage of preparation.

Focus Sessions

Choose a specific area — just Comprehension, or just Grammar & Punctuation. Practise one strand until your child feels confident.

Adaptive Practice

Difficulty adjusts based on which English areas need work. More comprehension practice if retrieval is weak. More grammar if punctuation needs attention.

Mock Tests

Timed English papers matching exam format. Instant marking with strand-level breakdown so you can see exactly where your child excels.

Exam board coverage

GL Assessment tests English as a standalone 50-minute paper. Questions typically cover comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and spelling in a multiple-choice format.

CEM includes English as approximately 40% of a mixed-subject paper, with a stronger emphasis on comprehension and vocabulary. CEM exams tend to test a broader range of vocabulary than GL.

For detailed exam board information, see our GL Assessment and CEM guides.

Frequently asked questions

What English skills are tested in the 11+?
The 11+ English exam typically tests comprehension (understanding passages, inference, retrieval), vocabulary (word meanings, synonyms, antonyms), grammar and punctuation (sentence structure, tenses, punctuation rules), and spelling. The balance varies by exam board.
How important is vocabulary for the 11+?
Vocabulary is significant across both English and Verbal Reasoning papers. CEM exams in particular test a broader range of vocabulary. Regular reading is the most effective way to build vocabulary naturally, alongside targeted practice of less common words.
Does TrueViQ cover comprehension passages?
Yes. TrueViQ includes comprehension questions based on age-appropriate passages covering fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Questions test retrieval, inference, summary, and vocabulary in context — the same skills tested in 11+ English papers.
Which exam boards test English separately?
GL Assessment tests English as a standalone 50-minute paper. CEM includes English as approximately 40% of a mixed-subject paper, with a strong emphasis on comprehension and vocabulary. Always check your target school to confirm the format.
How many English questions does TrueViQ have?
TrueViQ has thousands of English questions across all 6 curriculum strands, covering Years 3 to 6 at three difficulty levels. The question bank grows continuously through TrueViQ Foundry and The Crucible verification process.

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Comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling. Every question scored and mapped.

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