Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus
Key Info
11 Plus Exam Format
Find Schools
How to Apply
What is the Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus?
The Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus is an entrance exam set by GL Assessment. It is used exclusively by grammar schools within the Birmingham and Warwickshire areas to assess pupils’ academic abilities, ensuring they meet the required standard for grammar school entry. The exam is part of the admissions process for these schools and includes multiple-choice papers in English, maths, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning.
Each year, thousands of Year 6 students take the Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus Exam, competing for a limited number of places at the grammar schools in the West Midlands Grammar Schools Consortium. All applicants sit the same exam for admission to any of the participating schools. The test typically takes place in September, either at the child’s primary school or at a designated test centre, depending on the school and location.
Key Information About the Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus
Applies To:
The Torbay 11 Plus is used by all grammar schools in the Shropshire/Wolverhampton/Walsall, Birmingham and Warwickshire Grammar Schools Consortiums.
Test Format:
The test provider is GL Assessment, and includes the content in the areas of: maths; English; verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
Eligibility:
Any child in Year 6 can sit the Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus Test. There are no formal admissions criteria, but parents and carers must register the child during the council’s application window, which typically happens the academic year before the test, when the child is in Year 5.
Places Available:
Planned Admission Numbers (PANs) can vary by year for each school in the West Midlands Grammar Schools Consortium. There are approximately 2,300 places available across all grammar schools which use the Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus Test.
Applications:
Grammar schools in the West Midlands area are over-subscribed. The published numbers for test-takers in Birmingham in 2023 is 5,024, with more across the other areas. The test is therefore highly competitive with many more applicants than places on offer.
The Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus Test Exam Format
The Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus includes multiple choice papers in English, maths, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning, along with a separate creative writing task. They are designed to assess your child’s academic ability and reasoning skills, and compare their results against their cohort of applicants.
Papers 1 & 2 (GL Assessment)
Papers 1 and 2:
Paper 1 and 2 are sat on the same day and both last around 50-60 minutes. Each paper is divided into smaller individually timed sections that test:
- English Comprehension
- Verbal Reasoning
- Mathematics
- Non-Verbal/Spatial Reasoning
There are no sections of writing within the test – all questions are multiple choice and children record their answers on a separate answer sheet. The weightings for the test results are 50% for English/verbal reasoning, 25% for non-verbal reasoning and 25% for mathematics.
GL Assessment Papers
Maths
Non-Verbal Reasoning and Maths Papers
English
Verbal Skills (English & Verbal Reasoning)
Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning & Maths
Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus Pass Mark
The weightings for the test results are 50% for English/verbal reasoning, 25% for non-verbal reasoning and 25% for mathematics. The scores are then age-standardised to avoid any unfair age advantages. Admission to one of the grammar schools in the Birmingham and Warwickshire Grammar Schools Consortium is competitive, with places typically awarded to the highest-scoring applicants. While the exact proportion can vary each year, historically, approximately 10-20% of applicants tend to secure a place at one of the participating schools, depending on the overall performance and the specific school’s intake capacity.
Which Schools Use the Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus?
The Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus is used by the grammar schools across the West Midlands Grammar Schools which includes the Shropshire/Wolverhampton/Walsall Consortium, The Grammar Schools in Birmingham and the Warwickshire Consortium.
West Midlands Grammar Schools Consortium
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls
King Edward VI Five Ways School
King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls
King Edward VI School, Stratford-upon-Avon
Lawrence Sheriff School
Newport Girls’ High School
Queen Mary’s Grammar School
Queen Mary’s High School
Rugby High School
Stratford Girls’ Grammar School
Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls
Wolverhampton Girls’ High School
Admissions Criteria for the Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus
Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus Admissions Criteria
There are no formal admissions criteria to sit the Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus, however the timeline is something to bear in mind. The Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus 2025 is for children who are:
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Aiming for a grammar school place in the West Midlands
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In Year 5, planning to start Year 7 in September 2026
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Working at or above their age-group academically
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Able to handle extra practice in non-curriculum based subjects such as verbal and non-verbal reasoning
West Midlands Grammar Schools Consortium Admissions Criteria
Once the Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus pass mark is met by a child, they must then meet each grammar school’s admissions rules. These can include distance from the school, pupil premium priority, sibling status, or children of staff. Click the link in the table above for your preferred school to find out more about their specific admissions criteria and application process.
Key Dates for Entry
| Description | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration opens Registration opens | 6th May 2025 |
| Reasonable adjustments deadline Reasonable adjustments deadline | 13th June 2025 |
| Registration closes Registration closes | 27th June 2025 |
| Entrance test Entrance test | 13th September 2025 |
| Results day Results day | 17th October 2025 |
| Secondary school application deadline Secondary school application deadline | Friday 31st October 2025 |
| National offer day National offer day | Monday 2nd March 2026 |
How to Apply for the Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus
To register your child for the Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus, complete the online application on the council website. This is required whether you live locally or are applying from outside the area.
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Register online with West Midlands Grammar Schools – Visit the West Midlands Grammar Schools website during the registration window and complete the application form. You’ll need to provide your child’s details and the primary school they attend.
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Test centre for non-West Midlands schools – You will be assigned a test centre where your child can sit the Birmingham 11 Plus in September if they do not attend a local primary school.
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Keep your confirmation email – After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email which you should keep to refer to it later.
Preparing for the Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus
Supporting your child’s preparation for the Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus makes a huge difference. Here are some practical steps you can take to help them succeed:
Start Early
Begin preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5 to give them ample time to confidently build the skills they need.
Use Practice Papers
Work through Birmingham and Warwickshire 11 Plus style test papers in simulated test conditions. This helps your child get accustomed to the format and practices exam technique.
Focus on Weak Areas
Track your child’s progress to identify the areas and topics they find the most difficult to succeed in.
Encourage Daily Reading
Reading regularly strengthens their vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills, which help out with the the English and reasoning papers.
Try Online Tools
Use online platforms that offer Warwickshire and Birmingham 11 plus test papers specific practice questions and personal feedback to help make revision more engaging and effective.
Keeping preparation consistent, structured, and positive can help your child feel confident and ready for the test on the day.
Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus FAQs
Who can sit the Warwickshire & Birmingham 11 Plus exam?
Any child currently in Year 5 who is aiming to start Year 7 in a grammar school part of the West Midlands Grammar Schools Consortium can sit the Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus test. There are no formal eligibility requirements, though children should be working at higher academic levels than expected for their age. For the 11 Plus test Birmingham and Warwickshire, the admissions criteria is down to the individual schools and the test itself has no strict requirements.
How many grammar school places are available through the Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus each year?
Across the West Midlands Grammar Schools Consortium there are around 2,300 grammar school places available each year.
What subjects are covered in the Warwickshire & Birmingham 11 Plus exam?
The Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus includes two papers: both with sections for English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
What is the pass mark for the Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus?
The pass mark for the Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus Exam varies each year, as it is calculated from the number of pupils on the cohort at West Midlands based schools. The cut off is for approximately the top 20% of pupils.
How do I register my child for the Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus?
You can register your child on the West Midlands Grammar Schools website. You must complete this during the registration window.
Can my child use their Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus test result for more than one grammar school?
Yes, your child only needs to sit the Birmingham & Warwickshire 11 Plus once. Their results will be used for applications to any of the grammar schools within the West Midlands Grammar Schools Consortium.