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  • 11+ area guide

West Midlands 11+: the shared grammar schools test

Facts checked 19 October 2026By ExamKind Editorial Team

Some details are being re-checked

We check every fact against the official source on a schedule, and some details on this page are due their next check (last verified 19 October 2026). We'll update the page if anything has changed. How we check facts

The West Midlands 11+ at a glance

For September 2027 entry

  • The test

    West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test

    Written by GL Assessment, 2027 entry

    Checked, source: West Midlands Grammar Schools, checked

  • Score to qualify

    Set by each schoolSee each school's page below.

  • Schools on this page

    19

    Schools we cover in this area

Every step and date

Happening now

What's happening now

Children in Year 6 have sat the test for September 2027 entry, and results are due by 16 October 2026“By” dateBirmingham 2027 entry: ResultsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against King Edward VI Foundation Birmingham.The source says: | 16th October 2026 | Results |View the official source. Whatever the result, apply for secondary school places through your home council by 31 October 2026Birmingham 2027 entry: School place applications close (CAF)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against King Edward VI Foundation Birmingham.The source says: | 31st October 2026 | Preference form deadline |View the official source. Registering for the test is not the same as applying for a place.

  • Registration for 2027 entry is closed (closing date 4pm, 26 June 2026)West Midlands: Registration status2027Checked 9 Oct 2026 against West Midlands Grammar Schools.The source says: The closing date was 4pm on 26th June 2026.View the official source.
  • Late requests to share results: requests to share results after the registration deadline are not considered until after offers in March 2027West Midlands: Results sharing deadlineChecked 9 Oct 2026 against King Edward VI Foundation Birmingham.The source says: Any request to share results after the registration closing date will not be considered until after school offers have been made in March 2027.View the official source.
  • Registration for 2028 entry (children now in Year 5): West Midlands: Registration2028Not yet published by West Midlands Grammar Schools; last checked 9 Oct 2026.The source says: September 2027 Entry – NOW CLOSEDView the official source. Check the area pages below for each area's usual timing.

How places are given

Passing the test is the first step, not a place

Children sit the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test, written by GL Assessment. Qualifying is not the same as being offered a place: each school then gives places by its own rules.

You apply for school places through your home council, on its Common Application Form (CAF), by its deadline. Name the schools in your real order of preference: councils look at every preference at the same time.

West Midlands 11+ pass marks and cut-offs, year by year

Step by step

The West Midlands 11+, step by step

For children starting secondary school in September 2027 (Year 6 in 2026/27).

Add to my calendar

  1. Step 1: Register for the test

    Done

    Sign your child up for West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test. This is not the school place application.

    Show the dates

    1. Done: Test registration closes

      4pm

  2. Step 2: Your child sits the test

    Dates not published

    The test day, and any practice test before it.

    1. Not published yet: Test day

      Not yet published

All West Midlands 11+ dates, with notes

The schools

How far offers reached at each school

Listed A to Z, with the furthest distance offers reached in the latest year. Each school uses its own admission rules, so a longer distance does not mean a place is easier to get: distance only counts within the last rule a school reached.

Listed A to Z by school name.

  1. Alcester Grammar SchoolBoys and girls

    No distance published

    –

    150 places, 2027 entry

  2. Ashlawn SchoolBoys and girls

    No distance published

    –

    256 places, 2027 entry

  3. Bishop Vesey's Grammar SchoolBoys

    Lowest score offered: 210 (standardised score (WMGS scale)), 2026 entry

    210

    192 places, 2027 entry

  4. Haberdashers' AdamsBoys and girls

    No distance published

    –

    150 places, 2027 entry

  5. King Edward VI Aston SchoolBoys

    Lowest score offered: 239 (standardised score (WMGS scale)), 2026 entry

    239

    140 places, 2027 entry

  6. King Edward VI Camp Hill School for BoysBoys

    Offers reached 3.54 miles2025 entry

    Category 4 – Applicants achieving 224 and above and living within the catchment area · 120 places

  7. King Edward VI Camp Hill School for GirlsGirls

    Lowest score offered: 255 (standardised score (WMGS scale)), 2026 entry

    255

    150 places, 2027 entry

  8. King Edward VI Five Ways SchoolBoys and girls

    Offers reached 2.72 miles2026 entry

    Category 4 – Applicants achieving 224 and above and living within the catchment area · 180 places

  9. King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for BoysBoys

    Lowest score offered: 211 (standardised score (WMGS scale)), 2026 entry

    211

    150 places, 2027 entry

  10. King Edward VI Handsworth School for GirlsGirls

    Lowest score offered: 219 (standardised score (WMGS scale)), 2026 entry

    219

    192 places, 2027 entry

  11. King Edward VI School, Stratford-upon-AvonBoys

    No distance published

    –

    87 places, 2027 entry

  12. Lawrence Sheriff SchoolBoys

    No distance published

    –

    150 places, 2027 entry

  13. Newport Girls' High SchoolGirls

    Lowest score offered: 215 (standardised score), 2026 entry

    215

    120 places, 2027 entry

  14. Queen Mary's Grammar SchoolBoys

    Lowest score offered: 225 (standardised score), 2026 entry

    225

    180 places, 2027 entry

  15. Queen Mary's High SchoolGirls

    Lowest score offered: 200 (standardised score), 2026 entry

    200

  16. Rugby High SchoolGirls

    No distance published

    –

    150 places, 2027 entry

  17. Stratford Girls' Grammar SchoolGirls

    No distance published

    –

    120 places, 2027 entry

  18. Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for GirlsGirls

    Lowest score offered: 215 (standardised score (WMGS scale)), 2026 entry

    215

  19. Wolverhampton Girls' High SchoolGirls

    No distance published

    –

    180 places, 2027 entry

Source: King Edward VI Foundation Birmingham, checked Each school's own page names its source. Distances are measured by each school's own method, so compare with care.

More about the schools from our guide

Each school page explains its own admission rules, past offers, catchment and open days.

Live near a border?

  • You can apply for schools in another council's area. You still apply through your own home council, on its form.
  • Each area runs its own test, with its own registration and dates. If you like schools in two areas, check both registration deadlines.
  • Schools often give priority to children living nearby or in a catchment area, so check each school's rules before you rely on it.
Every area's dates

Areas in the same part of the country: Birmingham, Lincolnshire, Telford and Wrekin, Walsall, Warwickshire, Wolverhampton

Two registration routes, one test

The same test is used across the group, but families register in one of two ways for 2027 entry. The dates differ because they are two routes, not because one source is wrong:

RouteUsed forRegistration openedRegistration closedTest day
West Midlands Grammar Schools websiteBirmingham, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Telford and Wrekin schools5 May 2026Birmingham 2027 entry: Registration opensChecked 9 Oct 2026 against King Edward VI Foundation Birmingham.The source says: | 5th May 2026 | Test registration opens |View the official source26 June 2026, 4pmBirmingham 2027 entry: Registration closesChecked 9 Oct 2026 against King Edward VI Foundation Birmingham.The source says: | 26th June 2026 – 4pm | Test registration deadline |View the official source12 September 2026Birmingham 2027 entry: Test dateChecked 9 Oct 2026 against King Edward VI Foundation Birmingham.The source says: | 12th September 2026 | Entrance test |View the official source (Telford and Wrekin: 14 September 2026Telford and Wrekin 2027 entry: Test dateChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Newport Girls' High School.The source says: | Entrance Test (for those sitting at NGHS) | Monday 14 September 2026 |View the official source)
Warwickshire County Council Parent PortalWarwickshire grammar schools and Ashlawn School7 May 2026Warwickshire 2027 entry: Registration opensChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Warwickshire County Council.The source says: | 7 May 2026 | 11+ Entrance Test opening date |View the official source30 June 2026Warwickshire 2027 entry: Registration closesChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Warwickshire County Council.The source says: | 30 June 2026 | 11+ Entrance Test deadline |View the official source12 and 13 September 2026Warwickshire 2027 entry: Test dateChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Warwickshire County Council.The source says: | 12 and 13 September 2026 | 11+ test dates |View the official source

Warwickshire's rule for who registers where: Warwickshire residents register via the council Parent Portal; Birmingham residents with The Grammar Schools in Birmingham; others where they most want a schoolWarwickshire: Registration routeChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Lawrence Sheriff School.The source says: Parents/Carers living in Warwickshire must register for the test with Warwickshire Admissions.View the official source. If you want schools in both Warwickshire and another area, read the Warwickshire guide before registering next year.

How the test works

Every school in the group uses the West Midlands Grammar Schools shared test, produced by GL AssessmentWest Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test: Test providerChecked 9 Oct 2026 against West Midlands Grammar Schools.The source says: The test is provided by GL Assessment.View the official source. Children sit it at the start of Year 6.

  • Papers: twoWest Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test: Paper countChecked 9 Oct 2026 against West Midlands Grammar Schools.The source says: Candidates will sit two papers, each approximately 50-60 minutes long (which includes time for instructions and example questions).View the official source, each session lasting about an hourWest Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test: Session about an hourChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Warwickshire County Council.The source says: Each of the two tests will take around 60 minutes to complete (including spoken instructions at the start and explanations of the practice items).View the official source including instructions and practice questions.
  • What is tested: English comprehension, verbal reasoning, maths and non-verbal/spatial reasoningWest Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test: SectionsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against West Midlands Grammar Schools.The source says: Each test paper is divided into smaller individually timed sections that test:View the official source.
  • Format: all multiple choice, on a separate answer sheetWest Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test: Answer formatChecked 9 Oct 2026 against West Midlands Grammar Schools.The source says: There are no sections of writing within the test - all questions are multiple choice and children record their answers on a separate answer sheet.View the official source. Instructions and timings are given by audio recording.
  • Weighting: English and verbal reasoning 50%, non-verbal reasoning 25%, maths 25%West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test: WeightingsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against West Midlands Grammar Schools.The source says: The weightings for the test results are 50% for English/verbal reasoning, 25% for non-verbal reasoning and 25% for mathematics.View the official source.
  • In the room: no watches, timers, phones or calculators; a clock is in the roomWest Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test: No watchesChecked 9 Oct 2026 against West Midlands Grammar Schools.The source says: Watches/timers/stop clocks of any kind are not permitted in the test.View the official source. Also, children cannot go back to an earlier section or move aheadWest Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test: No section returnChecked 9 Oct 2026 against West Midlands Grammar Schools.The source says: Candidates can only work on the current section and cannot revisit a previous section or move on to the next section until told to do so.View the official source, and working out in the question booklet; no scrap paper; only answer sheets are markedWest Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test: Working outChecked 9 Oct 2026 against West Midlands Grammar Schools.The source says: Question booklets are not marked - only the separate answer sheets are marked.View the official source.
  • Scores: age-standardised scores around a median of 200 (stated by the Walsall schools)West Midlands: Score standardisationChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Queen Mary's Grammar School.The source says: Results will be released throughout the West Midlands Grammar Schools’ partnership using an age-weighted standardisation around a median score of 200.View the official source, so younger children in the year group are not disadvantaged.
  • Practice material: the Entrance Test Familiarisation Guide (PDF) on the WMGS websiteWest Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test: Familiarisation guideChecked 9 Oct 2026 against West Midlands Grammar Schools.The source says: Download the Entrance Test Familiarisation Guide (pdf),View the official source. Note that none of the schools keep past papersWest Midlands: Past papersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against West Midlands Grammar Schools.The source says: None of the schools keep past papers.View the official source.
  • One sitting: one shared test; a child may sit it once, and results can be shared across the partnership if ticked at registrationWest Midlands: One test onlyChecked 9 Oct 2026 against King Edward VI Foundation Birmingham.The source says: Your child will not be allowed to sit the test more than once.View the official source.

Where children sit it. test centre allocated from the home postcode; parents cannot chooseWest Midlands: Test centre allocationChecked 9 Oct 2026 against King Edward VI Foundation Birmingham.The source says: You will not have the option of choosing where your child sits the entrance test.View the official source. Families who cannot attend on a Saturday for religious reasons can ask for another day; each area sets its own deadline for this.

Preparation. the schools say intensive coaching is not in a child's long-term interest and endorse no tutoringWest Midlands: Tuition stanceChecked 9 Oct 2026 against West Midlands Grammar Schools.The source says: Intensive coaching or tuition is not in the long term best interests of your child.View the official source. The group offers free online familiarisation for pupil premium children via a partner platformWest Midlands: Pp supportChecked 9 Oct 2026 against West Midlands Grammar Schools.The source says: to provide pupils who are eligible for Pupil Premium with free KS2 learning and entrance test familiarisation.View the official source.

Scores: each area sets its own rules

The test produces one standardised score, but the score that counts, and what happens next, depends on the area:

  • Birmingham: a qualifying score of 205Birmingham: Qualifying score2027Checked 9 Oct 2026 against King Edward VI Foundation Birmingham.The source says: The Qualifying Score for all of the Birmingham grammar schools for 2027 entry is 205.View the official source for all eight schools, and a priority score of 224Birmingham: Priority score2027Checked 9 Oct 2026 against King Edward VI Foundation Birmingham.The source says: The Priority Score for all of the King Edward VI Grammar Schools for 2027 entry is 224.View the official source at the King Edward VI schools. See the Birmingham guide.
  • Walsall: each school's Governors set a minimum qualifying score after the results (confirmed in November)Walsall: Qualifying score ruleChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Queen Mary's High School.The source says: The Minimum Qualifying Score (MQS) for September 2027 entry is subject to analysis and Governors’ confirmation in November 2026.View the official source. See the Walsall guide.
  • Wolverhampton: Wolverhampton Girls' High School sets its own qualifying score. See the Wolverhampton guide.
  • Telford and Wrekin: each school sets its own qualifying score. See the Telford and Wrekin guide.
  • Warwickshire: a Committee of Reference sets each school's Automatic Qualifying Score and waiting-list minimum each yearWarwickshire: Committee of referenceChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Alcester Grammar School.The source says: The Committee of Reference is a panel of head teachers and teachers appointed according to the terms of reference.View the official source. Warwickshire and Birmingham may weight the same test differently, so totals can differWarwickshire: Two result setsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Alcester Grammar School.The source says: This means that if your child receives two results letters, their total scores could be different.View the official source. See the Warwickshire guide.

Appeals

This section is general information, not legal advice. Each step has strict deadlines, so check the council's and the school's own guidance.

If a school refuses a place, you can appeal to an independent panel after National Offer Day. For a grammar school the panel usually looks at two things: whether your child should be treated as reaching the required standard, and whether the school can take an extra pupil. Evidence such as school reports and a headteacher's view, or proof that illness or a bereavement affected the test, carries the most weight. Most grammar school appeals do not succeed, so keep a realistic back-up school on your application.

Official sources

7 sources: the council, the test administrator and each school

ExamKind is independent. We are not connected with any council, school or test provider, and nobody pays to appear on this page. How we check facts