Question 1Aim for about 60 seconds
What is the lowest common multiple of 2 and 6?
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, 6
How to work it out
Count up in 2s and 6s until they meet: 6.
West Midlands 11+ (Birmingham & Walsall)
The Birmingham consortium and neighbouring grammars use two GL papers mixing English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
At a glance
- Subjects
- Maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning
- Usually held
- September
- Set by
- GL Assessment
- Schools
- 11
The papers
| Stage | Paper | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test day | Paper 1 | 60 | 60 minutes |
| Test day | Paper 2 | 60 | 60 minutes |
Paper formats are indicative and change from year to year. Always check the current arrangements with the school or local authority.
How to prepare for the West Midlands
The West Midlands 11+ (Birmingham & Walsall) covers maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Most families start steady preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5, building accuracy first and speed later, then sit timed papers through the summer before the test, which usually takes place in September.
For maths, secure the Key Stage 2 arithmetic, fractions, ratio and problem solving before moving to the multi-step questions that separate the strongest candidates.
For English, read widely every day and practise comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar; selective tests reward precise word knowledge.
Verbal reasoning is a set of learnable question types, such as letter codes, hidden words and word analogies. Learning each type, then practising it against the clock, lifts scores quickly.
Non-verbal reasoning is about spotting patterns in shapes: rotations, reflections, sequences and matrices. Short, regular sessions work better than long ones.
Schools that use the West Midlands
- Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School Birmingham
- King Edward VI Aston School Birmingham
- King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys Birmingham
- King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls Birmingham
- King Edward VI Five Ways School Birmingham
- King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys Birmingham
- King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls Birmingham
- Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls Birmingham
- Queen Mary’s Grammar School Walsall
- Queen Mary’s High School Walsall
- Wolverhampton Girls’ High School Wolverhampton
Try some West Midlands style questions
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
Which part has a punctuation mistake? Choose “No mistake” if there is none.
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, oliver recognised the
How to work it out
A sentence always starts with a capital letter.
Why the other options are wrong
- B (signature at the): This part is punctuated correctly.
- C (bottom of the): This part is punctuated correctly.
- D (mysterious letter.): This part is punctuated correctly.
- E (No mistake): There is a mistake: A sentence always starts with a capital letter.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word is most opposite in meaning to “praise”?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, criticise
How to work it out
- “criticise” is the opposite of “praise”.
- “compliment” means the same, a common trap.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds
Which of the shapes below could join this group?
The group
Show the worked answer
Answer: B
How to work it out
- Every shape in the group has the same number of dots as it has sides.
- Shading and rotation change freely, so they are distractors.
Questions parents ask
What subjects are in the West Midlands?
The West Midlands tests maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
When is the West Midlands?
The main test usually takes place in September. Dates change each year, so always confirm them with the school or local authority.
How should my child prepare for the West Midlands?
Build the core skills in Year 4 and 5, learn each question type, then practise timed papers in the West Midlands format. Prism builds this plan automatically from a free starting assessment.
Find out where your child stands today
Prism starts with a free assessment across maths, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, then builds a weekly plan for your target schools. Parents follow progress free.
Start the free assessment