Medway Test 11 Plus
Key Info
11 Plus Exam Format
Find Schools
How to Apply
What is the Medway Test?
The Medway Test is an 11 Plus exam set by GL Assessment. Used only by grammar schools within the Medway Council area, the exam is made for identifying pupils performing at the level expected for grammar school entry. The test is used as part of the schools’ admissions processes, and includes papers in English, maths, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning, all in a multiple-choice format.
Each year, thousands of children in Year 6 take the Medway 11 Plus Exam, competing for limited places at the schools part of the Medway Grammar Schools Consortium. Children take the one test for all schools’ admissions. The exam typically takes place in September, either at their primary school or at a test centre, dependent on their school or location.
Key Information About the Medway Test
Applies To:
The Medway Test is used by all 6 grammar schools in the Medway Grammar Schools Consortium.
Test Format:
The test provider is GL Assessment, and includes the content in the areas of: maths; English; and verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
Eligibility:
Any child in Year 6 can sit the Medway Test. There are no formal admissions criteria, but parents and carers must register the child during the council’s application window, which typically happens the academic year before the test, when the child is in Year 5.
Places Available:
Planned Admission Numbers (PANs) can vary by year for each school in the Medway Grammar Schools Consortium. There are approximately 1,300 places available across all grammar schools which use the Medway Test.
Applications:
Grammar schools in the Medway area are over-subscribed. The published numbers for test-takers in October 2024 is 3,844, meaning around 3 times as many children sit the test than there are places.
The Medway Test 11 Plus Exam Format
The Medway Test includes multiple choice papers in English, maths, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning, along with a separate creative writing task. They are designed to assess your child’s academic ability and reasoning skills, and compare their results against their cohort of applicants.
Paper 1: English (GL Assessment)
Covers reading comprehension, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, and literacy-style questions.
Paper 2: Maths (GL Assessment)
Based on Year 5 and early Year 6 curriculum topics, with a focus on applying knowledge to unfamiliar problem-solving questions.
Paper 3: Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning (GL Assessment)
Not included in the curriculum.
Verbal reasoning
- Includes codes, sequences and logic using words, letters and symbols.
Non-verbal and spatial reasoning
- Focuses on patterns, shapes, sequences and 3D spatial awareness.
GL Assessment Practice Papers
English
GL Assessment English Paper 1
Maths
Non-Verbal Reasoning and Maths Papers
Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Admissions Criteria for the Medway Test
Medway Test Admissions Criteria
There are no formal admissions criteria to sit the Medway Test, however the timeline is something to bear in mind. The Medway Test 2025 is for children who are:
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Aiming for a grammar school place in Medway
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In Year 5, planning to start Year 7 in September 2026
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Working at or above their age-group academically
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Able to handle extra practice in non-curriculum based subjects such as verbal and non-verbal reasoning
Medway Grammar Schools Consortium Admissions Criteria
Once the Medway Test pass mark is met by a child, they must then meet each grammar school’s admissions rules. These can include distance from the school, pupil premium priority, sibling status, or children of staff. Click the link in the table above for your preferred school to find out more about their specific admissions criteria and application process.
Medway Test Pass Mark
Your child’s Medway 11 Plus Test raw mark is age-standardised to ensure that younger age on the date of sitting does not cause unfair advantages. Each child receives a final score is calculated using a weighting system as follows:
English × 2, Maths × 2, Reasoning × 1
Every year a minimum total weighted score is determined based on ~25% of the total number of children attending Medway-maintained schools. This number becomes the cut off for the highest scoring children who take the test. In 2025, 482 children were assessed as grammar, which was equivalent to 25% of the cohort.
Which Schools Use the Medway Test?
The Medway Test is used by the 6 grammar schools part of the Medway Grammar Schools Consortium.
Key Dates for Entry
| Description | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration opens Registration opens | Monday 2nd June 2025 |
| Registration closes Registration closes | Friday 13th June 2025 |
| Test date for Medway school pupils Test date for Medway school pupils | Tuesday 16th – Wednesday 17th September 2025 |
| Test date for external candidates Test date for external candidates | Weekend of 20th – 21st September 2025 |
| Results day Results day | Wednesday 15th October 2025 |
| Secondary school application deadline Secondary school application deadline | Friday 31st October 2025 |
| National offer day National offer day | Monday 2nd March 2026 |
How to Apply for the 11 Plus Medway Test
To register your child for the 11 Plus Medway Test, complete the online application on the council website. This is required whether you live in Medway or are applying from outside the area.
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Register online with Medway Council – Visit the Medway Council website during the registration window and complete the Medway Test application form. You’ll need to provide your child’s details and the primary school they attend.
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Test centre for non-Medway schools – Medway Council will assign a test centre where your child can sit the Medway Test in September if they do not attend a Medway primary school.
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Keep your confirmation email – After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email which you should keep to refer to it later.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Medway Test
Supporting your child’s preparation for the Medway Test makes a huge difference. Here are some practical steps you can take to help them succeed:
Start Early
Begin preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5 to give them ample time to confidently build the skills they need.
Use Practice Papers
Work through Medway-Test-style 11 Plus test papers in simulated test conditions. This helps your child get accustomed to the format and practices exam technique.
Focus on Weak Areas
Track your child’s progress to identify the areas and topics they find the most difficult to succeed in.
Encourage Daily Reading
Reading regularly strengthens their vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills, which help out with the the English and reasoning papers.
Try Online Tools
Use online platforms that offer Medway 11 plus test papers specific practice questions and personal feedback to help make revision more engaging and effective.
Keeping preparation consistent, structured, and positive can help your child feel confident and ready for the test on the day.
Medway Test 11 Plus FAQs
Who can sit the Medway 11 Plus exam?
Any child currently in Year 5 who is aiming to start Year 7 in a grammar school part of the Medway Grammar Schools Consortium can sit the Medway 11 Plus test. There are no formal eligibility requirements, though children should be working at higher academic levels than expected for their age.
How many grammar school places are available through the Medway test each year?
Across the Medway Grammar Schools Consortium there are around 1,200 to 1,300 grammar school places available each year.
What subjects are covered in the Medway 11 Plus test?
The Medway test includes two papers: one in English and maths, and the other with verbal and non-verbal reasoning. There is also a creative writing task which is not used in the main score, but for fringe cases.
What is the pass mark for the Medway 11 Plus?
The pass mark for the Medway 11 Plus Exam varies each year, as it is calculated from the number of pupils on the cohort at Medway maintained schools. The cut off is for approximately the top 25% of pupils.
How do I register my child for the Medway 11 Plus test?
You can register your child on the Medway Council’s website. You must complete this during the registration window.
Can my child use their Medway test result for more than one grammar school?
Yes, your child only needs to sit the Medway 11 Plus once. Their results will be used for applications to any of 6 the grammar schools within the Medway Grammar Schools Consortium.