About Birmingham Grammar Schools
Birmingham has eight grammar schools — the six King Edward VI Foundation grammars plus Bishop Vesey’s and Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls — known together as The Grammar Schools in Birmingham. They all use the single West Midlands Grammar Schools’ Entrance Test, so your child sits one test.
That same test is shared across all 19 grammar schools in the West Midlands (Birmingham, Shropshire, Walsall, Warwickshire and Wolverhampton). You register once at westmidlandsgrammarschools.co.uk, and can consent to share your child’s result with schools in the other areas by ticking the relevant boxes.
For September 2027 entry, registration runs 6 May–26 June 2026 and the test is on Saturday 12 September 2026; results follow in October. You then list schools on Birmingham City Council’s Common Application Form by 31 October, with offers on National Offer Day (1 March). The qualifying score is 205 (with a higher priority score of 224 at the King Edward VI schools); each school also applies its own catchment and oversubscription rules.
Birmingham Grammar Schools
All eight Birmingham grammar schools use the single West Midlands Grammar Schools’ Entrance Test. Click any school for its detailed admission guide, catchment and key dates:
All eight share one test result, but each sets its own catchment and oversubscription criteria (the King Edward VI schools have introduced catchment areas). One registration also lets you apply to grammar schools in Shropshire, Walsall, Warwickshire and Wolverhampton with consent.
About the West Midlands 11+
The West Midlands Grammar Schools’ Entrance Test is the single 11+ used by all 19 grammar schools across the region, including Birmingham’s eight. It is provided by GL Assessment (the format changed from CEM in 2023).
Format: two multiple-choice papers (each around 50–60 minutes) with short, separately-timed sections covering English comprehension, mathematics, verbal reasoning and non-verbal/spatial reasoning. There are no writing sections. Scores are age-standardised (median 200).
Your child sits the test once, on Saturday 12 September 2026 for 2027 entry (morning or afternoon session; a Sunday sitting is offered for faith reasons). Results are released in October; the qualifying score is 205, and the King Edward VI schools also publish a higher priority score (224).
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Birmingham Grammar Schools
Birmingham’s eight grammar schools share one West Midlands Grammar Schools’ Entrance Test. Register your child once at westmidlandsgrammarschools.co.uk during the window (for 2027 entry, 6 May–26 June 2026), ticking the boxes to share results if you also want schools in Shropshire, Walsall, Warwickshire or Wolverhampton. Your child sits the test on Saturday 12 September 2026; results arrive in October with a qualifying score of 205 (and a higher priority score of 224 at the King Edward VI schools). You then list schools on Birmingham City Council’s Common Application Form by 31 October, and offers are issued on National Offer Day (1 March). Meeting the qualifying score does not guarantee a place — each school then applies its own catchment and oversubscription criteria.
What the West Midlands 11+ Covers
The West Midlands Grammar Schools’ Entrance Test covers English comprehension, mathematics, verbal reasoning and non-verbal/spatial reasoning across two multiple-choice papers, with no writing sections. Practising realistic GL-style papers across these areas is the most effective preparation.
West Midlands 11+ Practice Papers for Birmingham Grammar Schools
Birmingham Grammar Schools uses the GL Assessment 11+ format. Our practice papers closely mirror the actual test structure — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the West Midlands 11+
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Birmingham Grammar Schools — Frequently Asked Questions
How many grammar schools are in Birmingham?
Eight: the six King Edward VI Foundation grammars plus Bishop Vesey's and Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls — together The Grammar Schools in Birmingham.
What is the West Midlands 11+?
The West Midlands Grammar Schools' Entrance Test — a single GL Assessment test of two multiple-choice papers covering English, maths, verbal and non-verbal/spatial reasoning, with no writing sections.
Do I sit a separate test for each school?
No — one test covers all 19 grammar schools across the West Midlands. You register once and can share your result with other areas by consent.
How do I register?
Register once at westmidlandsgrammarschools.co.uk. For 2027 entry the window is 6 May–26 June 2026, and the test is on Saturday 12 September 2026.
What is the qualifying score?
205. The King Edward VI schools also publish a higher priority score (224 for recent entry). Scores are age-standardised with a median of 200.
How do I apply for a place?
List schools on Birmingham City Council's Common Application Form by 31 October; offers are made on National Offer Day (1 March).
Is there a catchment area?
Yes — the King Edward VI schools have introduced catchment areas, and each school applies its own oversubscription criteria, so check each policy.
Does the qualifying score guarantee a place?
No — it makes a child eligible to be considered; each school then ranks qualifying children by its own criteria (catchment, pupil premium, score).