High-Speed Precision: Navigating the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test
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King Edward VI Five Ways School in Birmingham is an exceptional co-educational grammar school. Entry is determined by a single, comprehensive testing day administered via the unified West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test framework, provided by GL Assessment.
The Exam Structure & Section Weightings
The entire test takes place on a single morning or afternoon session, consisting of two highly structured, multiple-choice papers.
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The Format: Two papers, each approximately 60 minutes long. Every section within the papers is individually timed, meaning children cannot jump ahead or return to previous sections once time is called.
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The Questions: All answers are marked via an Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) automated sheet.
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The Cross-Section Weighting: Marks are not distributed evenly. GL weighs the skills across three main domains:
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English & Verbal Reasoning (50% of overall score): Covers advanced text comprehension, missing word logic, synchronic vocabulary, and word-pattern puzzles.
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Mathematics (25% of overall score): Tests core numeracy, word problems, data handling, and geometric spatial deduction.
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Non-Verbal & Spatial Reasoning (25% of overall score): Tests 3D shape rotations, net folds, and missing pattern sequences.
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How it is marked: Raw scores are fed into an age-standardisation algorithm to ensure a child born in August is not at a developmental disadvantage compared to a child born in September. The school then sets a strict "qualifying score" based on these standard distributions.
Key Admissions Timeline for 2026/27 Entry
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Registration Window: May 2026 - Early July 2026
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Test Venue Allocation: Late July 2026
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The Entrance Test Day: Saturday, 12th September 2026
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Results Emailed: Friday, 16th October 2026
Master the West Midlands 11+ with Exceptional Academics
Because this entry route is decided on a single afternoon under intense time constraints, absolute accuracy and structural familiarity are non-negotiable. Exceptional Academics provides targeted 1-to-1 tuition that helps children master GL-style questions, manage their section timings calmly, and perform at their true peak. Reach out to us at info@exceptionalacademics.com to lock in your child's success.