100+ Free 11+ Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions
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Key Facts: 11+ Verbal Reasoning Exam
21 types
Published GL verbal reasoning question types
GL Assessment
~80 questions
Typical verbal reasoning paper length
GL Assessment
50 minutes
Usual time for the paper
GL Assessment
Year 6 (Sept)
When the 11+ is sat
Grammar school consortiums
111-121+
Typical overall pass standardised score
Grammar school consortiums
Age 10-11
Age of pupils sitting the test
GL Assessment
Multiple-choice
Format, often on a separate answer sheet
GL Assessment
100
Free practice questions here
OpenExamPrep
GL Assessment 11+ Verbal Reasoning is a standalone, all-multiple-choice paper for Year 6 pupils that draws from up to 21 question types — word meanings, letter and number codes, hidden words and analogies. It is usually 50 minutes long, marks are age-standardised, and it is sat in September of Year 6 for grammar school entry.
Sample 11+ Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your 11+ Verbal Reasoning exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which word is the closest in meaning to 'rapid'?
2Which word is most opposite in meaning to 'ancient'?
3Three of these words go together. Which is the odd one out?
4Foot is to leg as hand is to ____. Which word completes the analogy?
5If the code for CAT is DBU, what is the code for DOG?
6In a sentence each four-letter word is hidden across the end of one word and the start of the next. Which pair hides a real four-letter word? 'They will escape artists very soon.'
7Join a word from the first list to a word from the second list to make one compound word. First list: cup, foot, news. Second list: ball, board, paper. Which compound word can be made?
8Which single letter ends the first word and begins the second word in both pairs? 'lam ( ? ) ail' and 'hel ( ? ) lank'.
9Move one letter from the first word to the second word so that both become new real words. SHARE and TONE. Which letter moves?
10If A=1, B=2, C=3, D=4 and E=5, what is the value of the word BEAD?
About the 11+ Verbal Reasoning Exam
The GL Assessment 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning paper tests how well Year 6 pupils (ages 10-11) think logically with words and language. It is a standalone multiple-choice paper used by many state grammar schools and independent schools across England, including Kent, Buckinghamshire, Lincolnshire, parts of Birmingham, Lancashire and others. Pupils answer questions drawn from up to 21 published GL question types, covering synonyms, antonyms, letter and number codes, hidden and compound words, analogies, letter sequences and short logic puzzles. Results are age-standardised so that younger children are not disadvantaged.
Questions
100 scored questions
Time Limit
Usually 50 minutes (including instructions and practice questions)
Passing Score
Varies by region — verbal reasoning marks are combined into a standardised score, with most grammar schools requiring 111+ overall (often 121+ in selective areas)
Exam Fee
Free for state grammar schools (registration through Local Authority); coaching, mock tests and practice papers are paid (GL Assessment)
11+ Verbal Reasoning Exam Content Outline
Word Meanings
Synonyms, antonyms, odd-one-out by meaning and word relationships, rewarding strong Year 6 vocabulary such as 'fragile', 'commence', 'abundant' and 'cautious'
Codes and Sequences
Letter codes (alphabet shifts), number-letter codes (A=1, B=2), letter sequences, number sequences and alphabetical reasoning that test pattern-spotting under time pressure
Word Building
Hidden four-letter words across word joins, compound words, move-a-letter puzzles, shared letter connections and completing words with a missing three-letter word
Logic and Analogies
Word analogies based on relationships such as part-to-whole and tool-to-action, plus short deduction puzzles about order, age, height and seating position
How to Pass the 11+ Verbal Reasoning Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Varies by region — verbal reasoning marks are combined into a standardised score, with most grammar schools requiring 111+ overall (often 121+ in selective areas)
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: Usually 50 minutes (including instructions and practice questions)
- Exam fee: Free for state grammar schools (registration through Local Authority); coaching, mock tests and practice papers are paid
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
11+ Verbal Reasoning Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the GL 11+ Verbal Reasoning paper?
A GL Assessment verbal reasoning paper is usually around 50 minutes long and contains roughly 80 multiple-choice questions, though exact length varies by region. Some areas combine verbal reasoning with other subjects into one or two timed papers.
How many question types are there in GL Verbal Reasoning?
GL Assessment publishes up to 21 verbal reasoning question types, including synonyms, antonyms, odd-one-out, letter codes, number codes, hidden words, compound words, move-a-letter, analogies and letter sequences. Not every type appears in every paper.
How is the 11+ Verbal Reasoning paper scored?
Raw marks are converted to a standardised score that adjusts for the pupil's exact age in months, so older children are not advantaged. Verbal reasoning is usually combined with the other papers; most grammar schools require an overall standardised score of 111+, rising to 121+ in highly selective areas.
Is the GL Verbal Reasoning paper multiple-choice?
Yes. GL Assessment verbal reasoning is entirely multiple-choice and is often sat using a separate answer sheet where pupils shade the correct bubble. Practising the answer-sheet format is an important part of preparation.
Which regions use GL Assessment 11+ Verbal Reasoning?
GL Assessment is the most common 11+ provider, used in Kent, Medway, Lincolnshire, Buckinghamshire, parts of Birmingham, Lancashire, Cumbria, Wirral, Trafford and many independent schools. CEM was the other major board until CEM 11+ was discontinued in 2024.
What is the best way to revise 11+ Verbal Reasoning?
Learn each of the 21 GL question types by name, practise them one type at a time until the method is automatic, then mix them in timed papers. Building vocabulary and confidence with the alphabet (forwards and backwards) also speeds up codes and sequences.