Spelling is a key part of the 11+ SPaG (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) test. In GL Assessment exams, children are often asked to identify misspelt words or choose the correct spelling in multiple-choice questions.
While many spelling rules are taught in school, the exam often includes tricky, commonly confused words that test attention to detail as well as memory.
This guide gives you a focused list of important 11+ spelling words and patterns that regularly appear in GL-style papers.
Why spelling matters in the 11+
In the 11+ exam, spelling is not just about writing correctly. Children are expected to:
- Spot incorrect spellings quickly
- Recognise commonly confused words
- Apply spelling rules under time pressure
- Avoid careless mistakes
Even one letter can change a mark.
High-Frequency 11+ Spelling Words
These are common words that children are expected to know confidently:
Everyday challenging words
- Separate
- Necessary
- Probably
- Believe
- Different
- Definitely
- Environment
- Experience
- February
- Government
Commonly misspelt GL-style words
- Accidentally
- Accommodation
- Aggressive
- Apparent
- Appreciate
- Available
- Category
- Committee
- Convenience
- Embarrass
More advanced SPaG vocabulary
- Achieve
- Appreciate
- Consequence
- Curious
- Disappear
- Excellent
- Familiar
- Guarantee
- Immediately
- Opportunity
Tricky word pairs (very common in exams)
These are often tested because they sound similar:
- Accept / Except
- Advice / Advise
- Practice / Practise
- Effect / Affect
- Compliment / Complement
- Stationary / Stationery
- Principal / Principle
- Desert / Dessert
👉 Example:
- I will accept your offer.
- Everyone came except John.
Homophones (very common in SPaG tests)
Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings.
- Their / There / They’re
- Your / You’re
- Its / It’s
- To / Too / Two
- Hear / Here
- Where / Wear / Were
- Wait / Weight
👉 Example:
- They’re going to the park.
- It is over there.
Common spelling rules tested in GL exams
1. Silent letters
- doubt
- knight
- island
- honest
- climb
2. -tion / -sion endings
- information
- decision
- explosion
- tension
3. -able / -ible endings
- comfortable
- responsible
- visible
- possible
4. Plurals (irregular forms)
- child → children
- man → men
- woman → women
- tooth → teeth
- mouse → mice
Quick SPaG spelling test (practice)
Try these like a real exam:
1. Which is correct?
a) seperate
b) separate
c) separete
2. Which is correct?
a) definately
b) definitely
c) definitly
3. Which is correct?
a) embarass
b) embarrass
c) embaress
4. Choose the correct word:
(Their / There / They’re) going to school.
5. Choose the correct word:
She (accept / except) the invitation.
How to improve spelling quickly
To improve performance in SPaG spelling questions:
- Learn 5–10 tricky words per day
- Write them in full sentences
- Test yourself regularly
- Focus on commonly confused words
- Practise under timed conditions
Spelling improves fastest through short, regular practice, not long revision sessions.
Summary
In GL 11+ SPaG exams, spelling questions often focus on:
- Commonly misspelt words
- Homophones
- Tricky word pairs
- Irregular spelling rules
Children who build a strong spelling foundation:
- Make fewer careless mistakes
- Work faster under pressure
- Perform more confidently in English papers
