Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School – Alford 11 Plus: Exam & Preparation Guide
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School – Alford uses the Lincolnshire 11 Plus for selective entry. The GL assessment consists of two separate multiple-choice papers: Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. This guide explains the Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School – Alford 11 Plus exam format, what its structure means for preparation, and how our dedicated Lincolnshire courses and mock exams can help your child prepare effectively.
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School – Alford 11 Plus at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| School | Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School – Alford |
| Area | Lincolnshire |
| Entrance test | Lincolnshire 11 Plus |
| Exam provider | GL |
| Exam structure | Two separate multiple-choice papers |
| Paper 1 | Verbal Reasoning – 50 minutes |
| Paper 2 | Non-Verbal Reasoning – divided into separately timed sections |
| Answer format | Multiple-choice answers recorded on separate answer sheets |
| Test schedule | The two papers are normally taken approximately one week apart |
| Our mocks | Lincolnshire 11 Plus Mock Exams |
Information and Mock Exam review: Learning Street reviews the information on this page and our Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School – Alford mock exams against the latest reliable information available about the entrance test.
We provide Lincolnshire-specific mock exams alongside dedicated Lincolnshire courses focusing on Vocabulary, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
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Exam Format | Mock Exams | Pass Marks | Preparation | Courses
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School – Alford 11 Plus Exam Format
The Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School – Alford 11 Plus uses the Lincolnshire GL test and consists of two separate multiple-choice papers: Paper 1 is a 50-minute Verbal Reasoning test and Paper 2 is a Non-Verbal Reasoning test divided into separately timed sections.
Paper 1 – Verbal Reasoning is a 50-minute multiple-choice paper. Children need strong vocabulary alongside reliable approaches to different Verbal Reasoning question types.
Paper 2 – Non-Verbal Reasoning is also multiple choice but is divided into separately timed sections. Children therefore need to become comfortable moving between visual reasoning question types while responding to the timing of each individual section.
Answers for both papers are recorded on separate answer sheets, so children should practise transferring their responses accurately and keeping the question number and answer sheet aligned.
The two papers are normally taken approximately one week apart.
What Does the Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School – Alford Exam Format Mean for Preparation?
The Lincolnshire test has a particularly focused structure because it assesses Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning rather than combining these with separate English or Maths papers.
Vocabulary is especially important for Verbal Reasoning. A child may understand the technique behind a question but still struggle if unfamiliar words prevent them from recognising the required relationship or meaning.
Preparation should therefore combine systematic vocabulary development with explicit teaching and practice of different Verbal Reasoning techniques.
Non-Verbal Reasoning requires a different style of thinking. Children need to examine visual information systematically and identify changes involving features such as shape, number, position, direction, rotation and reflection.
The separately timed sections in Paper 2 make pacing especially important. Children need to become accustomed to completing one section within its allotted time before moving to the next rather than managing the entire paper as one continuous time block.
The fact that the two papers are normally taken approximately one week apart also means preparation should build the ability to perform strongly in each reasoning discipline independently.
A sensible progression is vocabulary foundations → individual Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning techniques → accuracy → mixed reasoning work → timed sections → full timed papers → Lincolnshire mock exams.
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School – Alford 11 Plus Mock Exams and Practice Papers
We research the known Lincolnshire 11 Plus format, paper length and timings when producing our Lincolnshire mocks. We also provide realistic answer sheets, invigilation instructions and guidance on when time should be called so parents can reproduce the practical demands of the test at home as closely as possible.
Pack 1 | Pack 2 | Pack 3 | Pack 4
Save 20% – Buy all four for £48.
Lincolnshire 11 Plus Mock Exam Bundle – Packs 1–4
Each Lincolnshire Mock Pack contains two complete papers: a full timed Verbal Reasoning paper and a Non-Verbal Reasoning paper divided into timed subtests with practice questions.
We provide separate exam-style answer sheets and parent invigilation instructions so children can practise the administrative side of the test as well as the reasoning questions themselves.
All four mocks contain different questions, allowing families to space fresh papers throughout preparation and use later mocks to measure improvement.
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School – Alford 11 Plus Pass Marks and Standardised Scores
Our current Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School – Alford preparation information does not provide one fixed raw practice-paper percentage that should be treated as a permanent Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School – Alford 11 Plus pass mark.
A percentage achieved on one of our Lincolnshire mocks should therefore be used primarily to measure preparation and progress rather than treated as equivalent to an official entrance-test result.
The two-paper format also means an overall percentage can hide a significant difference between Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning performance.
A child may perform strongly in one paper while repeatedly losing marks in the other, or may struggle with one particular Non-Verbal Reasoning timed section despite achieving a reasonable overall result.
Our detailed answers can help identify whether marks are being lost because of vocabulary, understanding of a reasoning type, accuracy, timing or exam technique.
Parents can then focus preparation on those weaker areas before using another fresh Lincolnshire mock to assess whether performance improves.
How to Prepare for the Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School – Alford 11 Plus
Effective Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School – Alford preparation should concentrate specifically on the skills required by the Lincolnshire test: Vocabulary, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Our dedicated Lincolnshire programmes are designed around these areas rather than adding separate English or Maths test preparation that is not part of the current Lincolnshire exam structure.
Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning Preparation
Vocabulary is a central part of effective Verbal Reasoning preparation.
Children should develop their knowledge of word meanings, relationships and language systematically rather than relying solely on repeated practice tests.
Alongside vocabulary development, children should learn reliable techniques for approaching different word, letter, code and relationship questions.
Once individual techniques are secure, preparation should move towards mixed sets where children need to recognise independently which approach each question requires.
Because the real Verbal Reasoning paper lasts 50 minutes, children should eventually practise maintaining concentration and accuracy throughout a complete timed paper.
Non-Verbal Reasoning Preparation
Non-Verbal Reasoning requires children to analyse visual information carefully rather than rely on instinct or select an answer because it simply appears plausible.
Children should learn to examine features such as shape, number, position, direction, rotation and reflection systematically.
A consistent method helps children identify relationships more accurately and apply their reasoning to unfamiliar examples.
The Lincolnshire Non-Verbal Reasoning paper is divided into separately timed sections. Preparation should therefore include timed subtests so children become accustomed to changing question types and working within the time allowed for each section.
Multiple-Choice Answer Technique
Both Lincolnshire papers use multiple-choice questions with separate answer sheets.
Children should therefore practise recording answers accurately and keeping their answer sheet aligned with the correct question number.
Multiple-choice practice should not become guesswork. Children should reason through a question wherever possible and use the available answer choices to confirm their conclusion.
Building Exam Technique and Stamina
Timed practice should be introduced progressively after the underlying reasoning methods are secure.
For Verbal Reasoning, children should gradually work towards a complete 50-minute paper. For Non-Verbal Reasoning, particular attention should be given to working accurately within individually timed sections.
Our Lincolnshire mocks can then bring the preparation together under realistic test-style conditions.
View the Lincolnshire 11 Plus Mock Exam Bundle – Packs 1–4
Which Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School – Alford 11 Plus Course Should You Choose?
We provide a dedicated Lincolnshire course family for children preparing for Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School – Alford: Complete, Enhance and Boost.
Our Lincolnshire programmes focus on Vocabulary, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, matching the areas identified in the current Lincolnshire test structure.
The most suitable programme depends mainly on how much preparation time remains.
| Preparation time | Course | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 30–40+ weeks | Complete – Lincolnshire | Our most comprehensive Lincolnshire preparation |
| 15–30 weeks | Enhance – Lincolnshire | A shorter structured Lincolnshire programme |
| 6–15 weeks | Boost – Lincolnshire | Focused Lincolnshire preparation when less time remains |
Complete Lincolnshire — 30–40+ Weeks
Our Complete 11 Plus Programme – Lincolnshire is the most comprehensive Lincolnshire preparation route.
It contains 40 structured parts covering Vocabulary, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
The programme contains more than 40 timed papers and tests, full answers with detailed explanations and additional focus on vocabulary development within Verbal Reasoning.
Complete is most suitable where there is enough preparation time to build individual reasoning skills carefully before progressing through revision and increasingly timed work.
The Complete 11 Plus Programme – Lincolnshire
Enhance Lincolnshire — 15–30 Weeks
Our 11 Plus Programme – Enhance – Lincolnshire is a shorter 20-part preparation route.
Each part develops Vocabulary alongside Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and the programme contains more than 30 timed papers and tests.
Enhance is designed for families who still have enough time for substantial structured preparation but do not have enough time to work properly through all 40 parts of Complete.
11 Plus Programme – Enhance – Lincolnshire
Boost Lincolnshire — 6–15 Weeks
Our 11 Plus Programme – Boost – Lincolnshire is the shortest dedicated Lincolnshire preparation route.
It contains 10 intensive parts developing Vocabulary, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning and includes more than 20 timed papers and tests.
Boost is most suitable for families starting focused preparation later, when there is insufficient time to work properly through Complete or Enhance.
11 Plus Programme – Boost – Lincolnshire
Starting Earlier?
If your child is still developing the literacy and reasoning foundations needed before dedicated Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School – Alford 11 Plus preparation begins, our primary-school course chooser can help you select an appropriate starting point.
Primary School – Course Chooser for Younger Children
Also Sitting Independent School Exams?
Children also sitting independent-school entrance tests may need additional preparation in subjects or formats beyond the Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School – Alford Lincolnshire 11 Plus.
The courses below are separate supplementary options for independent-school preparation. They should not be interpreted as additional subjects or components of the Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School – Alford entrance test.
11 Plus Creative Writing Course
11 Plus Maths Stretch and Revision
Current Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School – Alford Admissions Information
Admissions arrangements can change from year to year. For general guidance on 11 Plus preparation and our courses, use our FAQs below.
