CEM English & Verbal Reasoning Assessment Papers 10-11 Years (now Cambridge Select Insight) (Bond CEM) Paperback – 3 Aug. 2023

This book is slightly more than just a selection of practice questions for an 11+, but not much. The book is clearly targeted very squarely at the likely content of the exam paper, and structured accordingly. At the beginning of each section there are short sections for ‘key skill’ and ‘worked example’, which are very handy for understanding what the following questions are going to ask, but they assume that the student’s already been taught and they serve only as a reminder. As such, it’s not a complete ‘all in one’ learning solution- but it’s a very good supplement.The presentation is smart, and easy to follow. The black, white and green typesetting makes each page distinct and stops any page from looking like an insurmountable brick wall of text, and it’s easy to keep your place. Questions are nicely spaced, though at times the dotted lines for writing your answers in are a little bit ungenerous- though we encourage our kids to use lined paper for their answers anyway, to give them more space to correct themselves and also so we can re-use the book.The questions are arranged in a systematic way, and reassuringly, when I (as a grown-up) looked at the start of the book it all seemed very easy, but when I looked at some of the final questions, I did have to warm my brain up a bit to work out the answers myself. So it’s nicely stepped, and any child who works their way through it will find a challenge at some point down the line.There’s an “11+ Study Guide” section at the end of the book which is worth mentioning. It’s only three pages, but it’s a really practical mini guide to good studying technique, and common problems, even covering exam anxiety- every young child about to sit an exam should read it, it’s very reassuring.One thing that isn’t at the end of the book is the answers- so as a grown-up, be prepared to rack your own brain a little bit if your child comes to you with a question they can’t answer!For children who want or need a bit of extra practice, regardless of what level they’re already add, this will be a useful book, whether it’s worked through systematically across every single page or just used selectively for certain exercises. It might not be the cheapest revision aid book on the market, but it’s a good quality aid and a lot of thought has clearly gone into it.

This is a really useful book containing a good assortment of past papers. Four stars.

This book is an extremely helpful resource for those preparing for the 11+ exam. It provides a substantial number of papers covering comprehension, grammar and logic. Practice at such papers is sure to enhance a candidate's reasoning skills, and thus build both competence and confidence.The book provides helpful techniques for solving different types of problems and tips for overcoming difficulties. The material is presented in a very engaging and accessible style. Each skill to be practised is succinctly explained and a worked example is included.The logic problems help the candidate develop deductive reasoning skills. These are crucial not only in the 11+ exam but also many tests now set by employers and recruitment agencies.In short, this is an excellent book of practice papers, and I would not hesitate to recommend it.

This book, by the well known and trusted Bond 11+ brand, is broken down into sections. Advice, learning papers, mixed papers, test papers and answers. The mixed papers have suggested timings for each question type whereas the test papers allow the children to work through the full 80 marks using the 60 minute timings as they please.The simple green, white and black colouring helps to keep the children focused and allows the publishers to maximise the use of the page with the most amount of questions without getting overwhelming. My students particularly liked the top tips before each section. Whilst it is all advice we have given them before, it helped to remind them before they began working.A great resource for extra paper exam style practice without being full formal papers.

My son and I were impressed with this bond book in preparation for his 11 plus exam at the weekend!He found the questions easy to read and follow.I found it tricky to mark and felt like the answers were not so easy to understand but my son Ayurveda me they were fine.I was recommended to use bond books for my son. They are harder than the other books I have been using with my son. Let’s hope they help him

Bond is one of the best providers of 11+ practice materials. This 2023 edition 90 page CEM assessment book is full of exam style questions and tips for how to tackle them. It helps children feel truly prepared for their verbal reasoning exams by starting them off with topic specific questions, before moving onto mixed question papers. There are also two sets of full test papers for when your child feels ready and confident.Nowadays, CEM only offers a computer-based exam, so children can use this book to get used to the exam style questions before moving to online platforms to practice the exam techniques and improve their scores.

Well laid out English/VR book to aid my son’s 11+ tuition. It has a tear/pull out section containing the answers (so prevents peaking) plus progress chart. Recommended.

This a very good book. Will help prepare my child for her 11+ exams.