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Knowing the mathematics is only half the battle — you also need excellent exam technique to turn your knowledge into marks. The CEM 11+ exam has a unique format that requires specific strategies. This lesson will teach you how to manage your time, avoid common mistakes, and perform at your best on exam day.
The CEM 11+ exam is different from GL in several important ways:
| Feature | CEM | GL |
|---|---|---|
| Question grouping | Maths mixed with NVR in the same booklet | Separate maths paper |
| Time pressure | Very tight — often under 1 minute per question | Slightly more generous |
| Question style | Often unfamiliar formats and real-life contexts | More predictable format |
| Answer format | Usually multiple-choice or short answer | Usually multiple-choice |
| Calculator | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Negative marking | No penalty for wrong answers | No penalty for wrong answers |
Key takeaway: Because maths and NVR are mixed together, you must be able to switch thinking styles quickly. One moment you are calculating percentages, the next you are spotting patterns in shapes.
If you have approximately 45 minutes for a section with 50 questions (a typical CEM format), that is about 54 seconds per question. Some questions will take 20 seconds, others might take 90 seconds. The key is to keep moving.
If you have been staring at a question for more than 30 seconds without making progress, move on. Mark it lightly so you can return to it if you have time at the end.
| Phase | Time | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Start | First 5 minutes | Settle in, read instructions, answer easy questions quickly |
| Middle | Next 30 minutes | Work steadily through questions, skip hard ones |
| End | Last 5-10 minutes | Return to skipped questions, fill in blanks |
Before you start calculating, identify:
| What you might misread | What it actually says |
|---|---|
| "How much did she spend?" | "How much change did she get?" |
| "Find the perimeter" | "Find the area" |
| "Simplify" | "Solve" |
| "Biggest" | "Smallest" |
CEM Tip: CEM questions are designed to reward careful readers. If a question seems too easy, re-read it — you may have missed a step.
Before calculating exactly, estimate the answer. This helps you:
Example: What is 347 × 8?
After solving, use the opposite operation to verify:
456 + 289 = 745 → Check: 745 - 289 = 456
Even if you cannot solve the question directly, you can often eliminate wrong answers:
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