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
1 kg is about 2.2 lbs. About how many kilograms are there in 17.6 lbs?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, 8 kg
How to work it out
Each kilogram is 2.2 lbs, so divide: 17.6 ÷ 2.2 = 8.
Check: 8 × 2.2 = 17.6.
Why the other options are wrong
A (15 kg): This takes away 2.2 instead of dividing by it.
B (7 kg): Check by multiplying your answer by 2.2.
C (39 kg): This multiplies by 2.2 again. Changing pounds to kilograms makes the number smaller.
E (9 kg): Check by multiplying your answer by 2.2.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
Which word best completes the sentence?
I have _____ finished my homework.
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, already
How to work it out
“already” is the word that fits: I have already finished my homework.
Why the other options are wrong
B (before): “Before” does not go in this position.
C (soon): “Soon” looks forward, but “have finished” is already done.
D (all ready): “All ready” means completely prepared.
E (yet): “Yet” is used in questions and negatives: “I have not finished yet”.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word can go after “star” to make a new word?
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, fish
How to work it out
star + fish = starfish.
Say each option after “star” and check it makes a real word.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds
Which figure comes next in the series?
?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C
How to work it out
The lshape turns 90° anticlockwise each step and the shading alternates; one dot is added each time.
What entrance test does Queen Mary’s High School use?
Queen Mary’s High School 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 Queen Mary’s High School?
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 Queen Mary’s High School?
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 Queen Mary’s High School?
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.