11+ Maths: Creating and Interpreting Bar Graphs (CEM & GL)

19 October 2026

Understanding bar graphs

Bar graphs are a common feature in 11+ maths exams, especially in CEM and GL papers. Your child will be asked to read information from a chart, compare bar heights, and sometimes create a simple bar graph from a set of data.

Key insight: Bar graph questions focus on careful reading and comparison, not tricky calculations.

Reading the scale

The vertical axis of a bar graph does not always count in ones. Scales may go up in twos, fives, or tens. Encourage your child to check the scale before answering, and to use their finger to trace across from the top of the bar to the scale.

Key insight: Misreading the scale is a common mistake. Always double-check the step size.

Comparing and interpreting

Typical questions ask which bar is tallest, what value a bar shows, or how two bars compare. Sometimes, your child may need to find the difference between two bars or the total of several bars. Saying the value of each bar out loud can help avoid slips.

Key insight: Practising with bars that stop between gridlines helps children handle trickier questions confidently.

Creating a bar graph

Some 11+ questions ask children to draw a bar graph from a small data table. Remind them to label the axes clearly, choose an appropriate scale, and make each bar the correct height. Neatness and accuracy matter.

Key insight: Drawing bar graphs is about representing data clearly, not artistic skill.