Birmingham and West Midlands 11 Plus Practice Papers
The Birmingham and West Midlands grammar school entrance test is run by the West Midlands Grammar Schools group and is used by the grammar schools in Birmingham and by a group of schools in nearby areas. Practice papers help children get used to the format, the timings and the separate answer sheet. This page explains what the test contains and how to use practice papers well.
What the Birmingham and West Midlands entrance test looks like
The test is provided by GL Assessment. Children sit two papers of around 50 to 60 minutes each, divided into short, individually timed sections:
- English comprehension
- verbal reasoning
- mathematics
- non-verbal and spatial reasoning
All questions are multiple choice and answers go on a separate sheet. Section timings and instructions come from an audio recording, and children cannot return to an earlier section. The results are weighted 50% English and verbal reasoning, 25% non-verbal reasoning and 25% maths, and are standardised for age.
For the full process, from registration to offers, see our Birmingham and West Midlands 11 plus guide.
How to use practice papers for the Birmingham and West Midlands test
- Learn the answer sheet first. Marking in the right place is a skill, so rehearse it early alongside the questions.
- Work section by section. Short focused practice builds accuracy in each area before full papers.
- Introduce timing gradually. Because every section is individually timed, short timed sections are good preparation.
- Review every answer together. Understanding why an option is right matters more than the score.
- Revisit weaker topics before trying a new paper.
Birmingham and West Midlands test practice papers we offer
Our practice papers include GL-style papers in:
- Maths
- English
- Verbal Reasoning
They come with answers. We do not yet offer Non-Verbal or Spatial Reasoning papers, which make up a quarter of the test, so you may wish to use another resource for those sections.
Birmingham and West Midlands grammar schools
Birmingham: Bishop Vesey's, King Edward VI Aston, Camp Hill Boys, Camp Hill Girls, Five Ways, Handsworth Grammar for Boys, Handsworth School for Girls and Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls.
Shropshire, Walsall and Wolverhampton: Haberdashers' Adams, Newport Girls', Queen Mary's Grammar, Queen Mary's High and Wolverhampton Girls'.
Warwickshire: King Edward VI, Stratford, Lawrence Sheriff, Rugby High School and Stratford Girls' Grammar.
Official Birmingham and West Midlands information
For the latest dates, registration and familiarisation questions, see:
- West Midlands Grammar Schools: the entrance test
- West Midlands Grammar Schools: registration and test centres
- Birmingham City Council: grammar schools in Birmingham
Birmingham and West Midlands entrance test FAQs
Who sets the test? GL Assessment provides the papers for the West Midlands Grammar Schools group.
Does the test cover all four areas? Yes: English comprehension, verbal reasoning, maths, and non-verbal and spatial reasoning.
Can my child bring a calculator or a watch? No. Calculators, watches and phones are not allowed in the test.
Should we use an answer sheet in practice? Yes. All answers go on a separate sheet, and the question booklet is not marked.