GL vs Quest: how the two tests differ

Which areas are switching to Quest?

Several grammar schools and consortia are moving from GL to Quest, and some areas already use Quest. The change usually applies from a particular entry year, so children only a year apart can sit different tests.

• Bournemouth and Poole. Bournemouth School's admissions page gives the timing as: GL for the September 2026 test (2027 entry); Quest from the September 2027 test (2028 entry)Source for Quest: BcpQuest: BcpCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Bournemouth School.The source says: From September 2027 (for entry into Year 7 in 2028), our entrance tests will be provided by Quest Assessments.View the official source.
• Slough. The Slough Consortium gives its arrangements as: GL Assessment for the September 2026 test (2027 entry); Quest Assessments for the September 2027 test (2028 entry)Source for Slough: Provider change statementSlough: Provider change statementCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Upton Court Grammar School.The source says: 11+ test provider for September 2028 entry (exam in September 2027) The Slough Consortium of Grammar Schools has contracted with Quest Assessments as the test provider for the 11+ examination to be held in September 2027.View the official source.
• The Latymer School. Latymer's admissions information says: Quest from the September 2027 test (2028 entry)Source for Quest: LatymerQuest: LatymerCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against The Latymer School.The source says: From September 2027 (for 2028 Entry), our 11+ assessments will be provided by Quest Assessments.View the official source.
• Wirral. The change has already happened here: The four non-faith schools moved to a new test provider (Quest Assessments) for the September 2026 test. For this first year the style, format, subjects and relative weightings stayed the same, and the standard needed to pass did not changeSource for Wirral 2027 entry: Provider changeWirral 2027 entry: Provider changeCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Calday Grange Grammar School.The source says: we have moved to a new test provider ... The test will now be delivered through a different provider. However, for this first year, we have taken the decision to retain the same overall style and format of the test, including the areas assessed and their relative weightingsView the official source.
• Bexley already uses Quest. The test is run by the London Borough of Bexley (School Admissions Team), with papers from Quest AssessmentsSource for Bexley: Test run byBexley: Test run byCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London Borough of Bexley.The source says: Bexley Selection Test papers are provided by Quest Assessments ... all enquiries regarding the test must be directed to the School Admissions Team on selectiontests@bexley.gov.ukView the official source.

If your child is in Year 6 now, they are applying for 2027 entry. If they are in Year 5 now, they are applying for 2028 entry. Check which entry year each statement above refers to before you change anything.

What do the two providers say about how their tests are made?

Both providers make clear that their name alone does not tell you the format.

GL's guidance, as published by a grammar school, warns that 11+ tests vary from area to area, so a local test’s timings, topics and number of questions may differ from GL’s own materialsSource for GL Assessment: tests vary by areaGL Assessment: tests vary by areaCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School.The source says: 11+ tests vary from area to area so please be aware that the exact timings, the combination of topics covered (for example, verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, Maths and English) and the number of questions in your local 11+ test may differ from those in our familiarisation and practice materials.View the official source. In other words, an area that uses GL chooses its own subjects, timings and number of questions.

Quest goes further. It states that each school’s Quest test is uniqueSource for Quest: Bespoke per schoolQuest: Bespoke per schoolCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Quest Assessments.The source says: Your child’s assessment is unique to the school they’re applying to,View the official source.

This matters for preparation. A practice book or course labelled "GL" or "Quest" cannot know your school's exact paper. Your school or consortium's own published specification is the only reliable guide to the format.

What did one area's change actually look like?

Bournemouth and Poole is a useful example, because the consortium has published detail for both its GL test and its new Quest test. The table puts the official descriptions side by side.

What stays the same: three multiple-choice papers covering maths, English and verbal reasoning, with no writing task, and scores adjusted for age.

What changes: the length of each paper, and the way the content is described. For the Quest test, the consortium adds: Each paper 40 minutes plus time for instructions; a reading booklet may be provided; total time in the centre typically two to three hoursSource for Dorset Consortium 11+ (Quest Assessments, from the September 2027 test): Reading timeDorset Consortium 11+ (Quest Assessments, from the September 2027 test): Reading timeCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Quest Assessments.The source says: Each paper lasts 40 minutes, plus time for instructions. [...] and may also receive a reading booklet. [...] The total time in the test centre, including settling in, instructions, papers, and the break, is typically around two to three hours.View the official source. Answers go on a separate sheet: Question booklet plus a separate OMR answer sheet for each subject; answers marked with a horizontal line through a boxSource for Bournemouth and Poole (BCP): Format spec2028 answer sheetsBournemouth and Poole (BCP): Format spec2028 answer sheetsCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Quest Assessments.The source says: Your child will receive a question booklet and a separate answer sheet for each subject, and may also receive a reading booklet. ... The papers use an OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) answer sheet. Rather than writing out answers, your child draws a clear horizontal line through a box next to their chosen answer.View the official source.

The content wording is worth reading closely. The Quest description refers to the Year 5 curriculum, so a child does not need to have covered Year 6 work before the test. That can be reassuring for a child who sits the test early in Year 6.

Does a new provider always mean a new format?

No. Two areas show that a change of provider can leave the format much the same.

Slough. Under GL, the consortium describes the papers as Paper 1 (verbal ability, numerical ability and non-verbal ability); Paper 2 (verbal ability, numerical ability and non-verbal ability)Source for Slough Consortium 11+ (GL Assessment): PapersSlough Consortium 11+ (GL Assessment): PapersCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Slough Consortium of Grammar Schools.The source says: The examination consists of two separate papers, each of approximately 60-65 minutes duration, containing a variety of questions which will test verbal, numerical and non-verbal ability.View the official source. For the Quest test, it lists Paper 1 (verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English and mathematics); Paper 2 (verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English and mathematics)Source for Slough Consortium 11+ (Quest Assessments, from the September 2027 test): PapersSlough Consortium 11+ (Quest Assessments, from the September 2027 test): PapersCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Upton Court Grammar School.The source says: The structure and format of the 11+ examination with Quest will be similar to those used under the previous provider. Pupils will sit two test papers, with questions covering a combination of verbal and non-verbal reasoning, English and mathematics.View the official source. Will the structure and format with Quest be similar to the previous provider's? The consortium's own answer is: YesSource for Slough Consortium 11+ (Quest Assessments, from the September 2027 test): Similar to previousSlough Consortium 11+ (Quest Assessments, from the September 2027 test): Similar to previousCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Upton Court Grammar School.The source says: The structure and format of the 11+ examination with Quest will be similar to those used under the previous provider.View the official source.

Wirral. As noted above, Wirral kept the same style, format, subjects and weightings in its first Quest year. For the following year, our records show: No further change has been announced; the provider's page for the September 2027 sitting shows the same two papersSource for Wirral 2028 entry: Provider changeWirral 2028 entry: Provider changeCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Calday Grange Grammar School.The source says: For future cohorts, parents/carers should refer to the 11+ admissions information published on school and Local Authority websites, as elements of the test may be updated over time.View the official source.

The Latymer School is different. Its stage 1 test for 2027 entry covers maths, verbal reasoning, English, comprehension and creative writingSource for The Latymer School 2027 entry: Stage1 subjectsThe Latymer School 2027 entry: Stage1 subjectsCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against The Latymer School.The source says: Registered applicants will be invited to sit tests in Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and English.View the official source. Under Quest, for 2028 entry, it covers maths, English, comprehension and creative writingSource for The Latymer School 2028 entry: Stage1 subjectsThe Latymer School 2028 entry: Stage1 subjectsCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against The Latymer School.The source says: The September 2027 11+ assessment will consist of three sections: Mathematics, English Comprehension and English Writing.View the official source, in three sections: mathematics, English comprehension and English writingSource for Quest: Latymer sectionsQuest: Latymer sectionsCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against The Latymer School.The source says: The September 2027 11+ assessment will consist of three sections: Mathematics, English Comprehension and English Writing.View the official source. Verbal reasoning no longer appears in the list, and the test uses a mix of multiple-choice and written answersSource for The Latymer School 2028 entry: Stage1 formatThe Latymer School 2028 entry: Stage1 formatCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Quest Assessments.The source says: The English and Mathematics sections use multiple-choice questions, while the writing section is entirely written.View the official source.

Bexley shows that a Quest test can also be reorganised between years. For 2027 entry the papers were Test booklet 1 of 2 (mixed sections) (verbal reasoning, comprehension, maths and non-verbal reasoning) (50 minutes); Test booklet 2 of 2 (mixed sections) (verbal reasoning, comprehension, maths and non-verbal reasoning) (50 minutes)Source for Bexley 2027 entry: PapersBexley 2027 entry: PapersCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London Borough of Bexley.The source says: the Bexley Selection Test consists of two separate booklets ... both tests are timed and consist of multiple-choice questions ... each paper lasts approximately 50 minutes, plus additional time for instructionsView the official source. For 2028 entry they are Paper one (verbal reasoning and comprehension) (50 minutes); Paper two (maths and non-verbal reasoning) (50 minutes)Source for Bexley 2028 entry: PapersBexley 2028 entry: PapersCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London Borough of Bexley.The source says: Your child will sit two non-adaptive paper assessments. Each paper lasts around 50 minutes.View the official source.

So a switch from GL to Quest can mean almost nothing changes, or it can mean a different mix of subjects. Only your school's own information tells you which.

What familiarisation material does each provider offer?

GL. GL offers free familiarisation papers to print; practice papers cost moneySource for GL Assessment: free practice materialGL Assessment: free practice materialCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School.The source says: While familiarisation papers are freely available for download, practice papers are only accessible for purchase.View the official source. In Bournemouth and Poole, for the GL test, that meant Free GL Assessment 11+ familiarisation papers (VR, English, maths) downloadable onlineSource for Dorset Consortium 11+ (GL Assessment): Familiarisation materialsDorset Consortium 11+ (GL Assessment): Familiarisation materialsCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Bournemouth School for Girls.The source says: GL Assessment has produced a set of 11+ familiarisation papers covering Verbal Reasoning, English and Mathematics. These are available online for parents and students to download free of chargeView the official source. Remember GL's own warning that local tests may differ from these materials.

Quest. Quest familiarisation is usually published for each school or consortium. Examples from official sources:

• Bournemouth and Poole (2028 entry): Free familiarisation booklets (maths, English, VR) with sample questions and a practice OMR sheet, plus guides for children and parents, reading lists and a vocabulary list on Quest's Dorset pageSource for Dorset Consortium 11+ (Quest Assessments, from the September 2027 test): Familiarisation materialsDorset Consortium 11+ (Quest Assessments, from the September 2027 test): Familiarisation materialsCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Quest Assessments.The source says: These booklets provide sample questions so your child can become familiar with the question format and filling in an OMR answer sheet.View the official source.
• Bexley: Free familiarisation booklets with sample questions and a practice answer sheet; free online practice access for pupil premium eligible candidatesSource for Bexley: FamiliarisationBexley: FamiliarisationCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London Borough of Bexley.The source says: These booklets provide sample questions so your child can become familiar with the question format and filling in an OMR answer sheet.View the official source.

Quest's familiarisation is tied to a school or consortium, so use the booklet for your own test, not one from another area. Our Quest page includes a factual note on who owns Quest, which some families like to know.

What changes for preparation in practice?

Often, a change from GL to Quest changes the details, not the foundations. Here is a practical way to adjust.

1. Confirm the entry year. Check whether your child sits the old test or the new one. A child in Year 6 now and a younger sibling may sit different tests.
2. Find the new specification. Read the school or consortium's own page for the papers, subjects, timings and answer method.
3. Compare it with what you have been using. Make a short list of what is the same and what is new. In Slough and Wirral, the list of changes may be short. At Latymer, verbal reasoning drops out of the subject list.
4. Keep what transfers. Reading widely, building vocabulary, secure arithmetic and careful checking help with any of these tests.
5. Follow the new subject list. If a subject has gone, as verbal reasoning has at Latymer, you can stop practising it. If the test has written answers, short and relaxed writing practice makes more sense than more multiple-choice work.
6. Re-practise the answer sheet. In Bournemouth and Poole, both the GL and the Quest tests use a separate answer sheet. Do the new familiarisation booklet with its own practice sheet, so the layout is familiar.
7. Adjust timing gently. If papers are shorter or longer than before, try one or two timed sections at the new length, nearer the test date.

You do not need to buy new materials just because the provider's name has changed. Start with the free official familiarisation for your test, then decide. Our guide on how much 11+ practice is enough can help you keep the amount sensible.

Is one of these tests harder?

Neither provider's official information says that one test is harder than the other, and we do not rank them. Each area sets its own standard and standardises the scores, so the result depends on how your child does compared with the other children taking the same test. Our guide to standardised scores explains how this works.

Related pages

• Quest 11+: format, schools and how to prepare
• GL Assessment 11+: format, schools and how to prepare
• The 11+ formats compared
• Slough 11+ guide
• Wirral 11+ guide

Sources

Facts on this page come from archived official sources checked on 13 October 2026: GL Assessment (as published by Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School), Quest Assessments, Bournemouth School, Bournemouth School for Girls, Poole Grammar School, the Slough Consortium of Grammar Schools, Upton Court Grammar School, Calday Grange Grammar School (Wirral), the London Borough of Bexley and The Latymer School.

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