King Edward VI Foundation Entrance Test (West Midlands Shared Test)
The King Edward VI Foundation administers a single shared entrance test used by EIGHT Birmingham state grammars, and the same test is also used by the West Midlands Grammar Schools partnership (Warwickshire schools). Two ~60-minute multiple-choice papers cover English Comprehension, VR, Maths and NVR/Spatial Reasoning, weighted 50% English+VR / 25% Maths / 25% NVR. The Foundation operates TWO score thresholds — a baseline 205 (qualifying) and a higher 224 (priority).
Exam board
GL Assessment
Qualifying score
205
2026 threshold
Test duration
70 min
Papers
2
Year 7 places
1,324
Across consortium
Applicants per place
5.0×
Typical competition
Test format
King Edward VI Foundation test. Transitioned from CEM to GL Assessment.
Selection method used
Subjects tested
- English
- Mathematics
Competition (latest)
9,872 applicants chasing 1,324 places · 5.0× per place
Paper-by-paper breakdown
Paper 1
≈ 60 minutes (including instructions)Individually-timed sub-sections covering English Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, Mathematics and Non-Verbal / Spatial Reasoning. Multiple choice.
Paper 2
≈ 60 minutes (including instructions)Further sections across the same four areas; all multiple-choice. No writing component.
Annual timeline
Confirm exact dates each year on the council pageRegistration opens
Spring (during the spring term)
Registration deadline
Friday 26 June 2026 (4pm)
Test window
Saturday 12 September 2026 (morning + afternoon sessions)
Results release
Mid-October (by 17 October for the most recent cycle)
How to prepare
- Prepare across all FOUR areas — the test transitioned from CEM to GL Assessment, so use current GL-style practice.
- Weight practice by section: 50% English/VR, 25% Maths, 25% NVR — verbal skills carry the most.
- Multiple-choice with separate answer sheets; no writing or extended-response sections.
- Practise individually-timed sub-sections rather than long single papers, mirroring the actual format.
- Target comfortably above 205, and ideally near 224, since most schools allocate the majority of places to priority/catchment applicants at 224+.
Important to know
- EIGHT state grammars are part of the Foundation: Bishop Vesey's Grammar (Boys), KEVI Aston (Boys), KEVI Camp Hill Boys, KEVI Camp Hill Girls, KEVI Five Ways (mixed), KEVI Handsworth Grammar (Boys), KEVI Handsworth (Girls) and Sutton Coldfield Grammar (Girls).
- Two thresholds operate concurrently: 205 (baseline — below this you're not considered at all) and 224 (priority — preferential ranking for catchment applicants).
- The SAME test is used by the West Midlands Grammar Schools partnership (Warwickshire) — children sit it once and can apply to schools across both groups.
- School-specific 'general' (non-priority) cut-offs are much higher than 224 — e.g. Camp Hill Boys 254, Camp Hill Girls 255 for 2026 entry. Five Ways made NO offers from the general category in March 2026.
- All test sections are multiple choice; there is no writing element.
- Pupil Premium and Looked After Children scoring 205+ receive priority across all eight schools.
About the qualifying score: Baseline qualifying score — applicants must score 205+ to be considered. The higher 'priority' score of 224 gives preferential access to catchment applicants. Per-school 'general' cutoffs are far higher (e.g. Camp Hill Boys 254, Camp Hill Girls 255 for 2026 entry). Always check the latest threshold on the council's admissions arrangements before applying.
Official links
Sources used on this page
- kingedwardvifoundation.co.uk/the-test
- kingedwardvifoundation.co.uk/results-and-offers
Schools using this test(8)
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School
Birmingham · boys
King Edward VI Aston School
Birmingham · boys
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys
Birmingham · boys
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls
Birmingham · girls
King Edward VI Five Ways School
Birmingham · mixed
King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
Birmingham · boys
King Edward VI Handsworth School
Birmingham · girls
Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls
Birmingham · girls
Where to go next
- Each school sets its own qualifying score and oversubscription rules — open a school page above for the per-school detail.
- Use the Chances Calculator with your postcode to see your likelihood at every school in this consortium.
- Council and school admissions pages are the authoritative source for registration deadlines and test dates.