Queen Mary's Grammar School 11 plus: a parents' guide for 2022

Queen Mary's Grammar School is a boys' grammar school with co-educational sixth form, located on Sutton Road, Walsall, about a mile from the town centre. One of the oldest schools in the country (founded in 1554), the school now has academy status. Their house system celebrates the four pillars of school life at Queen Mary’s: an academic focus, an international ethos, an enterprising spirit, and a sense of community.

11 plus exam information on Queen Mary’s Grammar School

More information on Queen Mary’s Grammar School can be found below:

• Address: Sutton Rd, Walsall, West Midlands, WS1 2PG

• School type: boys’ grammar

• Number of pupils: 1,090 (approximately)

• Places in Year 7: 180

• Open day dates: TBC

• School website: qmgs.walsall.sch.uk

• 11 plus exam dates: TBC

• Exam board type: Shropshire, Walsall and Wolverhampton Consortium – CEM (Cambridge Assessment)

• Admissions contact: 01922 720696 or [email protected]

Queen Mary's Grammar School term dates

Queen Mary's Grammar School's 2022-23 term dates are:

• Autumn term: 7th September – 16th December

• Half term: 21st – 28th October

• Spring term: 4th January – 30th March

• Half term: 20th – 25th February

• Summer term: 18th April – 20th July

• Half term: 29th May – 2nd June

What is the 11 plus format for Queen Mary’s Grammar school?

The 11 plus exam for Queen Mary’s Grammar School follows the CEM 11 plus for the Shropshire, Walsall and Wolverhampton Consortium of grammar schools. The entrance exam consists of two multiple choice question papers, covering a range of numeracy, literacy and problem solving skills.

CEM covers verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and numerical reasoning. In practice, ‘verbal reasoning’ encompasses many of the skills tested in the GL English exam, including comprehension. Likewise, ‘numerical reasoning’ involves the core maths skills needed for the GL exam. For more information, see Atom's complete guide to the 11 plus.

Admission is based on the results of the school’s entrance test. The test comprises two papers of about an hour each, with a break between the papers. The papers assess verbal reasoning and English, and non-verbal reasoning and maths. Candidates are given separate question booklets and answer sheets.

The school provides familiarisation guides which are a good way to help your child get used to the format of the papers.

How and when to apply to Queen Mary’s Grammar School

To register for the entrance exam, parents can apply via the Queen Mary’s Grammar School website. The date to register for 2023 entry is to be confirmed soon.

How to prepare your child for the Queen Mary’s Grammar School 11 plus exam

It's recommended to give your child ample time to prepare for the 11 plus exam by starting as early as possible. Parents should introduce their child to problem solving concepts in Year 4, and move towards more tailored concepts of verbal and non-verbal reasoning in Year 5 to give your child a good foundation of knowledge.

It is recommended to practice as many questions as possible in the format of the CEM exams. You can find examples of these in the familiarisation documents on the school’s website.

We can help your child prepare for Queen Mary's Grammar School 11 plus

At Atom Learning, we have over 90,000 teacher-written practice questions and unlimited mock tests that mirror the format and structure of the Shropshire, Walsall and Wolverhampton test. We also offer live exam prep courses and lessons to help build their skills in a friendly, encouraging, and interactive way. You can start your 5-day free trial today to ensure your child is fully confident and prepared for the 11 plus.

To learn more about how Atom can support you and your child with 11 plus preparation during this important time, please contact our team of experts at [email protected] who will be happy to help.

We know how crucial this time is, so our team is on hand to support you and your family every step of the way. You can book a call with one of our Education Experts to ask any questions you may have about the Shropshire, Walsall and Wolverhampton Consortium Test, or preparing for Queen Mary's Grammar School:

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