11+ Exam How Long Duration?

Are you confused about how much time your child actually has to complete the 11+ exam? This critical information could mean the difference between a calm, prepared candidate and a stressed child who runs out of time on test day. Understanding the 11+ exam how long duration is essential for effective preparation and test-day success.

Understanding the 11+ Exam How Long Duration Really Is

The 11+ exam how long duration typically ranges from 2 to 2.5 hours in total, though this varies significantly depending on the exam board and region. Most grammar schools administer the test across two or three separate papers, with each individual paper lasting approximately 45 to 60 minutes.​

For GL Assessment exams: used across Kent, Lincolnshire, and parts of London—children usually sit two papers of around 50-60 minutes each, including time for instructions and example questions. The West Midlands Grammar Schools consortium, for instance, administers two papers of approximately 60 minutes each, divided into smaller, individually timed sections.​

CEM exams, utilised in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, and Birmingham, follow a slightly different structure. The 11+ exam how long duration for CEM typically involves two 45-minute papers, though this format can vary annually as CEM deliberately changes their structure to reduce predictability. Unlike GL's subject-specific approach, CEM papers integrate multiple subjects within each section, making time management even more crucial.​

Why Does the 11+ Exam How Long Duration Matter So Much?

Time pressure represents one of the most challenging aspects of grammar school entrance exams. According to expert tutoring services at Math & Reason | Affordable 11+ tutor UK and Mock Tests, most 11+ papers are deliberately designed so that many children cannot complete every question within the allocated timeframe. This isn't a flaw, it's intentional, designed to identify pupils working at the highest ability levels who can work both accurately and efficiently under pressure.​

• GL Assessment papers typically contain 50 questions for English and Maths, and 80 questions for Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, all within their respective time limits. This means children have approximately 60 seconds per English or Maths question, and just 45 seconds per reasoning question.

• CEM papers are even more time-critical, with their content-heavy approach requiring swift decision-making throughout.​

How Should You Prepare for the 11+ Exam Duration?

Knowing the 11+ exam how long duration allows families to implement targeted preparation strategies. Educational psychologists recommend that children aged 10-11 can maintain sharp focus for approximately 20-30 minutes before concentration wavers. This means practising with full-length timed papers (Math & Reason | Affordable 11+ tutor UK and Mock Tests), mimicking actual exam conditions, builds essential mental stamina that short practice sessions cannot develop.​

Math & Reason | Affordable 11+ tutor UK and Mock Tests offers comprehensive 11+ mock tests that precisely replicate actual exam timings and conditions, allowing your child to experience the pressure of working within strict time limits before test day. Their expert tutors understand that mastering content represents only half the battle, developing exam technique, time management skills, and the ability to make strategic decisions about which questions to attempt proves equally vital for success.​

Start preparation by breaking study into manageable chunks. During term time, experts suggest one hour weekly of focused lessons combined with 20 minutes of consolidation homework. As exam day approaches, increase to 40 minutes daily, four days per week during school holidays closest to the test date. This gradual build-up mirrors the exam's demands without causing burnout.​

Common Time Management Mistakes in the 11+ Exam

• Many bright children fail their first mock exam not because they lack knowledge, but because they mismanage time. The brightest mathematicians often work through questions methodically from beginning to end, spending too long on multi-step problems whilst simpler questions remain unanswered. By the time they realise their error, it's too late.​

• Understanding the 11+ exam how long duration helps children develop strategic approaches. They must learn to identify quick-win questions, use estimation where appropriate, and recognise when to move on from challenging items. Regular practice with timed MathNReason mock tests develops these crucial skills, transforming tactical errors into perfect scores by test day.​​

• Curious about specific timing strategies for each exam section? Wondering how extended time provisions work for children with special educational needs? What daily practice schedule maximises retention whilst avoiding burnout?