King Edward VI School 11 Plus: Exam & Preparation Guide
King Edward VI School uses the West Midlands 11 Plus for selective entry. The GL test is split across two papers, with both papers containing English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning, including Spatial Reasoning. This guide explains the King Edward VI School 11 Plus exam format, what its demands mean for preparation, and how Learning Street’s GL courses and West Midlands mock exams can help your child prepare effectively.
King Edward VI School 11 Plus at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| School | King Edward VI School |
| Area | Warwickshire South |
| Entrance test | West Midlands 11 Plus |
| Exam provider | GL |
| Exam structure | Two papers with the same subject structure |
| Paper 1 | English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning, including Spatial Reasoning |
| Paper 2 | English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning, including Spatial Reasoning |
| Learning Street mocks | West Midlands 11 Plus Mock Exams |
Information and Mock Exam review: The information on this page and Learning Street’s King Edward VI School mock exams are reviewed against the latest reliable information available about the King Edward VI School entrance test.
Learning Street provides West Midlands-specific mock exams alongside structured GL preparation courses covering the English, Maths and reasoning skills required for this test.
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Exam Format | Mock Exams | Pass Marks | Preparation | Courses
King Edward VI School 11 Plus Exam Format
The King Edward VI School 11 Plus uses the West Midlands test, consisting of two papers: Paper 1 contains English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning, including Spatial Reasoning, while Paper 2 has the same structure and contains the same subject types.
Paper 1 requires children to move between English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning, including Spatial Reasoning, within the same paper.
Paper 2 follows the same structure and again contains English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning, including Spatial Reasoning.
This mixed-paper structure means children need more than secure knowledge in each individual area. They also need to become comfortable switching between literacy, numerical and visual reasoning questions while maintaining concentration and accuracy.
What Does the King Edward VI School Exam Format Mean for Preparation?
The West Midlands 11 Plus requires balanced preparation across English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning.
Because both papers contain the same broad range of subject types, children cannot prepare for one paper as a literacy paper and the other as a numerical or visual-reasoning paper. They need to be able to move confidently between different forms of thinking throughout both papers.
Vocabulary supports both English and Verbal Reasoning. A child may understand the reasoning method required for a question but still struggle if unfamiliar words prevent them from identifying meanings or relationships efficiently.
Maths preparation should develop secure underlying knowledge and arithmetic fluency so routine calculations can be completed accurately without using unnecessary time.
Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning require a systematic visual approach. Children need to become comfortable analysing unfamiliar patterns involving shape, number, position, direction, rotation, reflection and other visual relationships.
A sensible progression is therefore core English, Maths and reasoning skills → vocabulary and numeracy development → accuracy → flexible application → revision → timed work → complete West Midlands mock exams.
King Edward VI School 11 Plus Mock Exams and Practice Papers
Learning Street researches the known West Midlands 11 Plus format, paper length and timings when producing its West Midlands mocks. We also provide realistic answer sheets, invigilation instructions and guidance on when time should be called so parents can reproduce the practical demands of the test at home as closely as possible.
Pack 1 | Pack 2 | Pack 3 | Pack 4
Save 20% – Buy all four for £48.
West Midlands 11 Plus Mock Exam Bundle – Packs 1–4
King Edward VI School 11 Plus Pass Marks and Standardised Scores
Learning Street’s current King Edward VI School preparation information does not provide one fixed raw practice-paper percentage that should be treated as a permanent King Edward VI School 11 Plus pass mark.
A percentage achieved on a Learning Street West Midlands mock should therefore be used primarily to measure preparation and progress rather than treated as equivalent to an official entrance-test result.
An overall mock percentage can also conceal important differences between the areas being tested. A child may appear to be performing strongly overall while repeatedly losing marks through weaker comprehension, vocabulary, a particular Maths topic or one form of visual reasoning.
Learning Street’s detailed answers are most useful when they help identify whether marks are being lost because of knowledge gaps, accuracy, timing or exam technique.
Parents can then target those weaker areas before using another fresh West Midlands mock to assess whether performance improves under timed conditions.
How to Prepare for the King Edward VI School 11 Plus
Effective King Edward VI School 11 Plus preparation should develop secure English, Maths and reasoning skills before children rely heavily on complete timed mock exams.
Learning Street’s GL programmes combine Vocabulary, English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning through structured learning, revision and increasingly timed practice.
English Preparation
English preparation should develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Children should become comfortable reading unfamiliar material accurately while still working efficiently. Preparation should establish careful reading and understanding first before progressively requiring those skills to be applied under tighter time pressure.
Vocabulary development is particularly valuable because stronger word knowledge supports both English and Verbal Reasoning.
Verbal Reasoning Preparation
Verbal Reasoning combines language knowledge with logical thinking.
Children should develop reliable approaches to different word, letter, code and relationship questions rather than simply memorising how to answer familiar examples.
Vocabulary development is central to this preparation. Even where children understand the reasoning method involved, unfamiliar words can make otherwise manageable questions considerably harder.
Vocabulary should therefore be developed systematically and revisited throughout preparation.
Maths Preparation
Maths preparation should begin with secure KS2 knowledge. Times tables, mental Maths and the four operations should become accurate and reliable before substantial time pressure is introduced.
Children should then progress towards mixed problems where they must decide independently which mathematical method is required.
This develops flexible problem solving rather than dependence on questions being presented in familiar topic groups. Accuracy should come before speed, with timed work becoming increasingly useful once the underlying methods are secure.
Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning Preparation
Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning require children to analyse visual information carefully and systematically.
Children should learn to examine features such as shape, number, position, direction, rotation and reflection rather than selecting an answer simply because it appears visually plausible.
A consistent method helps children apply reasoning skills to unfamiliar problems rather than depending on recognition of previously practised examples.
Building Exam Technique and Stamina
Once the underlying skills are secure, timed work should become increasingly important.
Because both West Midlands papers contain English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning, including Spatial Reasoning, children need to become comfortable switching repeatedly between very different question styles without losing concentration or accuracy.
They should also become familiar with answer sheets, following invigilation instructions and continuing effectively after encountering a difficult question.
Learning Street’s West Midlands mocks can then bring these skills together under realistic test-style conditions.
View the West Midlands 11 Plus Mock Exam Bundle – Packs 1–4
Which King Edward VI School 11 Plus Course Should You Choose?
Learning Street offers three main GL preparation routes for children preparing for the King Edward VI School 11 Plus: Complete, Enhance and Boost.
These programmes develop Vocabulary, English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning through structured learning, revision and timed testing.
The most suitable programme depends mainly on how much preparation time remains.
| Preparation time | Learning Street course | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 30–40+ weeks | Complete GL | Our most comprehensive preparation |
| 15–30 weeks | Enhance GL | A shorter structured programme |
| 6–15 weeks | Boost GL | Focused preparation when less time remains |
Complete GL — 30–40+ Weeks
Learning Street’s Complete GL 11 Plus Programme is the most comprehensive preparation route. It contains 40 structured parts covering Vocabulary, English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
The programme includes more than 60 timed papers and tests, full answers with detailed explanations and additional work focused on core skills such as vocabulary development and working accurately in English and Maths.
Complete is most suitable where there is enough time to develop the underlying skills progressively before moving through revision and increasingly timed work.
The Complete GL 11 Plus Programme
Focused Complete options are also available:
Complete – Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning
Complete – Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Enhance GL — 15–30 Weeks
Learning Street’s Enhance GL programme provides a shorter 20-part preparation route covering Vocabulary, English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
The programme contains more than 35 timed papers and tests alongside structured learning and detailed answers. It retains a strong focus on developing underlying skills rather than relying on repeated testing alone.
Enhance is most suitable where there is still enough time for substantial structured preparation but not enough time to work properly through the full 40-part Complete programme.
Focused Enhance options are also available:
Enhance – Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning
Enhance – Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Boost GL — 6–15 Weeks
Learning Street’s Boost GL programme is the shortest full preparation route. It contains 10 intensive parts covering Vocabulary, English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
The programme includes more than 25 timed papers and tests while concentrating the learning, revision and timed practice into a shorter preparation period.
Boost is most suitable for families beginning focused King Edward VI School 11 Plus preparation later, when there is insufficient time to work through the longer Complete or Enhance programmes properly.
Focused Boost options are also available:
Boost – Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning
Boost – Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Starting Earlier?
If your child is still developing the literacy and numeracy foundations needed before dedicated King Edward VI School 11 Plus preparation begins, Learning Street’s primary-school course chooser can help you select an appropriate starting point.
Primary School – Course Chooser for Younger Children
Already Completed Substantial Preparation?
Learning Street’s 11 Plus Revision Course – GL is suitable for children who have already completed substantial 11 Plus preparation through books, tutoring or another programme but now want a structured period of revision.
It should not normally be completed after one of Learning Street’s Complete, Enhance or Boost programmes because some of the material overlaps.
Also Sitting Independent School Exams?
Children also sitting independent-school entrance tests may need additional preparation in subjects or formats beyond the King Edward VI School West Midlands 11 Plus.
11 Plus Creative Writing Course
11 Plus Maths Stretch and Revision
Current King Edward VI School Admissions Information
Admissions arrangements can change from year to year. For general guidance on 11 Plus preparation and Learning Street courses, use the Learning Street FAQs below.
