Maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning
Competition
Highly selective
Prism’s suggested target
85% in practice (our estimate, not a school figure)
About the West Midlands 11+ (Birmingham & Walsall)
The Birmingham consortium and neighbouring grammars use two GL papers mixing English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
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
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.
Practice questions in the style of the test
Written by Prism in the style of the test, not taken from any school’s papers.
Question 1Aim for about 60 seconds
On a map, 1 cm stands for 10 km. Two villages are 4.5 cm apart on the map. How far apart are they in real life?
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, 45 km
How to work it out
Each centimetre is 10 km, so 4.5 cm is 4.5 × 10 = 45 km.
Why the other options are wrong
A (40 km): The half centimetre has been left out.
B (14.5 km): This adds the numbers; each centimetre is worth the scale.
C (450 km): One zero too many.
D (0.45 km): This divides by the scale; it should multiply.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
What does the word “generous” mean?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, happy to give more than is needed
How to work it out
“Generous” (adjective) means happy to give more than is needed.
For example: Our generous aunt bought ice creams for everyone.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Find the next number in this series.
3, 47, 12, 41, 21, 35, ?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, 30
How to work it out
Two series take turns: 3, 12, 21 (add 9) and 47, 41, 35 (take away 6).
The next number continues the first: 30.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds
Which figure comes next in the series?
?
Show the worked answer
Answer: E
How to work it out
The lshape turns 90° clockwise each step and the shading alternates; one dot is added each time.
What entrance test does King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls use?
King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls uses the West Midlands 11+ (Birmingham & Walsall), which tests maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Check the school’s admissions page for the current arrangements.
What score does my child need for King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls?
Schools do not publish pass marks. As a guide, Prism suggests a child aims to score around 85% consistently in practice for a highly selective school. This is Prism’s own estimate, not a figure from the school, and no score guarantees a place.
When should my child start preparing for King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls?
Most families start in Year 4 or early Year 5, then practise timed papers during the summer before the test, which usually takes place in September.
Preparing for King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls?
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.
Prism Learning is not affiliated with King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls. Details are indicative; always check admissions arrangements with the school.