Medway Test
The Medway Test is the 11+ used by Medway Council for the six Medway grammars. It comprises three papers — English, Mathematics and Reasoning — combined into a weighted composite where English and Maths each count double. Roughly the top 25–26% of the Medway maintained-school cohort are deemed suitable for grammar.
Exam board
GL Assessment (commissioned by Medway Council)
Qualifying score
481
2026 threshold
Test duration
60 min
Papers
3
Year 7 places
1,154
Across consortium
Applicants per place
4.0×
Typical competition
Test format
GL Assessment papers with weighted scoring. English ×2 + Maths ×2 + Verbal Reasoning, each section max 140. Total max score: 700.
Selection methods used
Subjects tested
- English
- Mathematics
- Verbal Reasoning
Competition (latest)
4,695 applicants chasing 1,154 places · 4.0× per place
Paper-by-paper breakdown
English
30 minutesComprehension, punctuation and grammar.
Mathematics
50 minutesMathematical reasoning and problem solving.
Reasoning
45 minutesCombined spatial, non-verbal and verbal reasoning.
Annual timeline
Confirm exact dates each year on the council pageRegistration opens
Monday 18 May
Registration deadline
Friday 12 June (late registrations not permitted)
Test window
Tue 15–Wed 16 September (Medway primaries); Sat 19–Sun 20 September (out-of-Medway and independent candidates at Medway test centres)
Results release
Wednesday 14 October (emailed after 10am where registered)
How to prepare
- The weighting formula is published: (English standardised × 2) + (Maths standardised × 2) + (Reasoning standardised × 1). English and Maths each carry double the impact of Reasoning.
- Scores are age-standardised before weighting, so summer-born children are not disadvantaged.
- Medway publishes a familiarisation booklet on medway.gov.uk; the council explicitly warns that third-party practice materials are not endorsed by them or by GL.
- There is no resit and no remark — a child who misses the window cannot register or sit later.
- Raw scores, section breakdowns and pass marks are not released to parents.
Important to know
- All six Medway grammars use the test: Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School, Rainham Mark Grammar, Holcombe Grammar, Rochester Grammar, Chatham Grammar and Fort Pitt Grammar.
- Every candidate — regardless of where they live — must physically sit the test inside Medway at a council venue.
- Approximately 25–26% of the Medway maintained-school cohort are assessed as suitable; non-Medway and independent children must hit the absolute minimum score (no percentile cushion).
- Being assessed as suitable does NOT guarantee a place — each grammar then applies its own oversubscription criteria.
- There is no Kent-style Head Teacher Assessment review panel — parents who disagree with the outcome must go through admission appeals after 1 March offer day.
- Older guides describing a 4-paper structure with Extended Writing are OUT OF DATE — the current format is 3 papers (English 30 / Maths 50 / Reasoning 45) weighted ×2/×2/×1.
About the qualifying score: Minimum total weighted score for 2026 entry (2025: 482, 2024: 492). Threshold set annually so ≈25% of Medway maintained-school children are assessed as suitable for grammar; non-Medway / independent pupils must hit this absolute minimum. Always check the latest threshold on the council's admissions arrangements before applying.
Official links
Sources used on this page
- medway.gov.uk/info/200137/schools_and_learning/1049/medway_test_11
- medway.gov.uk — Medway Test 11+ register / prepare / results pages
- Medway 11+ Determined Admission Arrangements 2026/27
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.