The 11+ test in Birmingham

The information below is based on the official guidance from Birmingham City Council’s admissions pages but may be subject to change. Contact your chosen school or the council for up to date details.

1. What is the 11‑plus?

• In Birmingham, entry to Year 7 at selective grammar schools is determined via the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test, commonly known as the 11‑plus. This single test applies across the West Midlands Grammar Schools partnership, including Birmingham, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Walsall, and Wolverhampton. You only need to sit the test once, even if applying to multiple schools in the group Birmingham City Council
  

• The test includes two one‑hour papers, each split into shorter, timed sections covering English comprehension, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, and Non‑verbal Reasoning. All questions are multiple choice and are marked electronically.

• Scores are weighted as follows: English & Verbal Reasoning: 50%; Non‑verbal Reasoning: 25%; Maths: 25%. Results are age‑standardised to ensure fairness.
  

2. Who can take the test and when?

• Eligible children are those born between 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2015, sitting the test in September Year 6, for entry in September 2026 (Birmingham City Council).

• For 2026 entry, registration opens 6 May 2025 and closes at 4 pm on Friday 27 June 2025 

• The test will be held on Saturday 13 September 2025, with both morning and afternoon sessions. You will be notified of your child’s session by early September.

• Results are provided by mid‑October 2025, before you complete your secondary school application form.
  

3. Reasonable Adjustments

• If your child has special educational needs, you must upload a completed additional form and medical/educational evidence by 13 June 2025—earlier than the test registration deadline—to request reasonable adjustments (Birmingham City Council).
  

4. Using the Results & Applying for School

• After you receive the test results (mid‑October), you must decide whether to list grammar schools on your local authority (Birmingham) secondary school application form, which must be submitted by Friday 31 October 2025 at 5 pm.

• It’s essential to wait for your child’s scores before listing grammar schools. If your child did not meet the required score, naming a grammar school could reduce your other school options on the form (Birmingham City Council)

• Offers are made on National Offer Day, which is Monday 2 March 2026.

• Grammar school places are allocated via an equal preference system: if your child qualifies for multiple schools, the highest‑ranked preference where they meet entry criteria is offered.
  

5. What Passing the Test Means – Not Guaranteed Entry

• Passing the entrance test does not guarantee a grammar school place. If demand exceeds availability, schools use published oversubscription criteria such as proximity to home, siblings at the school, or in‑catchment residence (Birmingham City Council).

• Only those who meet or exceed the cut‑off score for that school are eligible to be considered, and places are offered based on ranking and eligibility.
  

6. In‑year Admissions & Waiting Lists

• Should your child start Year 7 elsewhere and you later wish to apply to a grammar school, you may do so in‑year starting in January of Year 7. Schools allocate any vacancies by inviting applicants on the waiting list to take the test if required (Birmingham City Council).

• Waiting list positions can be checked after Monday 24 March 2025 via the Children’s Services contact details.
  

7. Parent Timeline Summary

Date	Action
6 May – 27 June 2025	Register child for the 11‑plus test
13 June 2025	Deadline for reasonable adjustments form
13 September 2025	11‑plus test takes place (morning/afternoon sessions)
Mid‑October 2025	Receive entrance test results
31 October 2025	Deadline to submit secondary school application form
2 March 2026	National Offer Day – offer of school places

8. How You Can Prepare

• Begin early: familiarise your child with the test format (English, Maths, Verbal and Non‑verbal Reasoning).

• Practice under test‑style conditions to build confidence.

• Consult your child’s teacher—they can advise if your child is suited to the pace of grammar school work.

• If using private tutors, ensure they align their materials with the GL Assessment style used in the test.
  

Conclusion

The 11‑plus is a rigorous, once‑only selective test that opens doors to Birmingham grammar schools—but success depends on not only passing the test but also securing enough priority in the oversubscription process. Proper timing, accurate registration, waiting for score confirmation before applying for school places, and understanding admissions criteria are all key to ensuring your child has the best possible chance.

If you have further questions about specific grammar school criteria or need assistance with the application timeline, please do not hesitate to contact the school or the City Council admissions team.

This information is given for information only and for full up to date details on the admissions criteria for each of the eight Grammar Schools in Birmingham, please visit the school website or Birmingham LA website.