CEM Comprehension Strategies

This is the final lesson in your CEM 11+ English Comprehension course. Here, we will bring together everything you have learned and focus on the strategies that will help you perform at your best on exam day. The CEM exam is unique, and having a clear plan will give you a real advantage.

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The CEM Exam: What Makes It Special?

The CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) exam has several features that set it apart:

Feature	What it means
Unpredictable format	The exact structure of the paper can change from year to year
Interleaved questions	English, maths, and reasoning questions may be mixed together
Timed sections	Each section has a strict time limit — you cannot go back once it ends
Unfamiliar passages	Passages are chosen to be new to all students — you cannot prepare by reading specific texts
High difficulty	Passages and questions are designed to challenge able Year 5 and 6 students

Because of these features, strategy is just as important as knowledge. Knowing how to approach the exam is half the battle.

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Strategy 1: Read Smart, Not Slow

You do not have time to read every passage three or four times. Instead, use this two-read approach:

First read: Skim for understanding

• Read the passage quickly to get the main idea
• Note the type of text (fiction, non-fiction, poetry)
• Identify the main characters, topic, or argument
• Get a sense of the tone and mood

Second read: Targeted search

• Read the questions and underline key words
• Go back to the relevant part of the passage to find your answer
• Only re-read the sections you need — not the whole passage again

Time-saving tip: If the passage has clear paragraphs, mentally note what each paragraph is about during your first read. This makes it much faster to find information later.

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Strategy 2: Master Multiple Choice

Most CEM comprehension questions are multiple choice. Here is how to approach them:

Step 1: Read the question carefully

Make sure you understand exactly what is being asked. Watch out for words like "not", "except", "best", and "most likely" — these change the meaning of the question.

Step 2: Try to think of the answer before looking at the options

This stops you from being tricked by tempting but wrong answers.

Step 3: Eliminate wrong answers

Cross out options that are clearly incorrect. This narrows your choice and increases your chances.

Step 4: Choose the best answer

Sometimes two options might seem correct. Choose the one that is most fully supported by the passage.

Trap to watch for	Why it is a trap	What to do
An answer that is true in general but not supported by the passage	It relies on your own knowledge, not the text	Always check the passage
An answer that uses words from the passage but has the wrong meaning	The familiar words make it look right	Read carefully — does it actually answer the question?
An answer that is partly correct	It gets one thing right but another wrong	Check every part of the answer against the text
The most obvious answer	CEM questions sometimes have subtler correct answers	Consider all options before choosing

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Strategy 3: Handle Unfamiliar Vocabulary

CEM passages sometimes include difficult or old-fashioned words. Do not panic — use these strategies:

1. Context clues

Look at the words and sentences around the unfamiliar word. They often give you enough information to work out the meaning.

Example: "The parched landscape stretched for miles, with cracked earth and withered plants." Even if you do not know "parched", the clues ("cracked earth", "withered plants") tell you it means extremely dry.

2. Word parts

Break the word into parts: