Birmingham 11 Plus: The King Edward VI Foundation Test Guide (2027 Entry)
Birmingham's grammar schools share a single 11+: the King Edward VI Foundation entrance test, also known as the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test. Eight schools across Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield use it, it's free to sit, and one result covers all of them. This guide covers the process for September 2027 entry.
Quick summary — Birmingham 11+, 2027 entry
Worth knowing early:
- Registration closes at 4pm on 26 June 2026 — earlier than Kent, Medway and most other areas.
- There is no fee to register or sit the test; be wary of any third party implying otherwise.
- Each of the eight schools sets its own qualifying score after the test, and several have designated (catchment-style) areas — check each one's admissions policy.
The eight schools
All eight use the same entrance test and the same single sitting:
- King Edward VI Five Ways School — co-educational
- King Edward VI Aston School — boys
- King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys
- King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls
- King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
- King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls
- Bishop Vesey's Grammar School — boys, Sutton Coldfield
- Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls
You register once, your child sits one exam, and the score can be used to apply to any combination of the eight schools you name on your local authority application form.
The test papers
The entrance test is delivered by GL Assessment as two multiple-choice papers of about 60 minutes each, sat on a single day. Each paper is divided into smaller, individually timed sections covering:
- English comprehension
- Verbal reasoning
- Mathematics
- Non-verbal and spatial reasoning
Birmingham 11+ key dates for 2027 entry
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 5 May 2026 | Registration opens |
| 4pm, Friday 26 June 2026 | Registration closes — no late entries |
| Saturday 12 September 2026 | Entrance test (morning or afternoon session) |
| From 16 October 2026 | Results released |
| 31 October 2026 | Secondary application form deadline |
| 1 March 2027 | National offer day |
Qualifying scores and places
Each school sets its own qualifying score after the test, once the cohort's results are known. Achieving a school's qualifying score makes your child eligible to be considered; it does not guarantee a place.
If more qualifying children apply than there are places, each school applies its own oversubscription criteria. Several of the Foundation schools operate a designated area or prioritise a proportion of places for local children and for those eligible for the pupil premium, so where you live can matter as much as the score. Read the admissions policy for every school on your list.
How to prepare
Lead with English and verbal reasoning. Together they are half the total score. Wide reading, vocabulary depth and timed verbal reasoning sets are the best use of preparation time.
Don't neglect the 25% each for maths and non-verbal/spatial reasoning. They are smaller, but a weak section still drags the standardised total down.
Practise to individually timed sections. The paper switches topic on a short clock, so children need to be comfortable stopping one question type and starting another cleanly. See our verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning guides.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Birmingham grammar schools 11+ for 2027 entry?
The King Edward VI Foundation entrance test is on Saturday 12 September 2026, with morning and afternoon sessions. Registration is open from Tuesday 5 May 2026 and closes at 4pm on Friday 26 June 2026. Results are released from 16 October 2026 and national offer day is 1 March 2027.
Which schools use the King Edward VI Foundation entrance test?
Eight: King Edward VI Five Ways, King Edward VI Aston, King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys, King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls, King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys, King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls, Bishop Vesey's Grammar School and Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls. One registration and one test covers all eight.
Is there a fee for the Birmingham 11+?
No. All costs associated with the King Edward VI Foundation entrance test are paid for by the participating grammar schools, so there is no charge to register or to sit it.
What is on the Birmingham 11+ test?
Two multiple-choice papers of about 60 minutes each, sat on one day, each split into individually timed sections covering English comprehension, verbal reasoning, mathematics, and non-verbal and spatial reasoning. Sections are age-standardised and weighted to a total of roughly 50% English and verbal reasoning, 25% maths and 25% non-verbal and spatial reasoning.
What score do you need to pass the Birmingham 11+?
There is no single pass mark. Each of the eight schools sets its own qualifying score after the test, once the cohort's results are known. Meeting a school's qualifying score makes a child eligible to be considered but does not guarantee a place, because several schools are oversubscribed and use designated areas and other oversubscription criteria.
Do I still apply through the council?
Yes. The entrance test result is separate from the school application. You must name each King Edward VI Foundation school you want as a preference on your home local authority's secondary Common Application Form, due by 31 October 2026, in genuine order of preference.
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