UK Rank #152 In-site school
Chatham Grammar
Chatham, Medway
Ofsted: Good Girls only
Consortium guide
Medway Test 11 Plus
The Medway Test is the local 11 Plus route for Medway grammar schools. It covers English, maths and reasoning, then each school applies its own admissions rules after the shared assessment. The route is compact but not identical school by school: boys', girls' and mixed options, travel between the Medway towns, and overlap with nearby Kent choices can all affect the real admissions picture.
6 schools GL Assessment 17 downloads
7 key dates
01 / Route overview
What this route covers
The Medway Test is a local selective route for the Medway grammar schools, separate from the larger Kent Test next door. That distinction matters because families can easily talk about “Kent and Medway” as though they are one system, while the tests, scoring and admissions routes are not the same. Medway has its own test and its own set of grammar-school decisions.
The test includes English, maths and reasoning, with the score weighted across the different areas. Medway’s published information describes English and maths as carrying more weight than reasoning in the final calculation. The purpose is to identify the group assessed as suitable for grammar school within the Medway process, rather than to create a simple ranked list that works identically for every school.
The school group is compact but varied. Chatham Grammar, Holcombe Grammar, Fort Pitt Grammar, Rainham Mark Grammar, Rochester Grammar and Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School sit within a relatively small geography, yet the choices still differ by school type, journey, character and admissions detail. A Medway route result is therefore only the first part of the story.
Medway families often have another layer to think about: whether the realistic school list is wholly inside Medway or overlaps with Kent options. This page keeps the Medway route in focus. It explains the shared assessment, the Medway school list and the way school-level admissions rules take over after a child has been assessed through the test.
Schools using this route
These are the schools currently linked to the Medway Test route.
UK Rank #132 In-site school
Fort Pitt Grammar School
Chatham, Medway
Ofsted: Outstanding Girls only
UK Rank #144 In-site school
Holcombe Grammar School
Chatham, Medway
Ofsted: Good Boys only
UK Rank #145 In-site school
Rainham Mark Grammar School
Gillingham, Medway
Ofsted: Good Mixed
UK Rank #114 In-site school
The Rochester Grammar School
Rochester, Medway
Ofsted: Good Girls only
UK Rank #109 In-site school
Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School
Rochester, Medway
Ofsted: Outstanding Boys only
02 / Selection test
Exam format and structure
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 structure
Paper 1: English (GL Assessment)
See the papers and topics below.
Paper 2: Maths (GL Assessment)
See the papers and topics below.
Paper 3: Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning (GL Assessment)
See the papers and topics below.
What the test covers
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.
Covers reading comprehension, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, and literacy-style questions.
Based on Year 5 and early Year 6 curriculum topics, with a focus on applying knowledge to unfamiliar problem-solving questions.
Not included in the curriculum.
03 / Scoring
Pass mark and score guidance
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.
04 / Applications
Key dates and how to apply
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.
Key dates
Registration opens
Monday 2nd June 2025
Registration closes
Friday 13th June 2025
Test date for Medway school pupils
Tuesday 16th – Wednesday 17th September 2025
Test date for external candidates
Weekend of 20th – 21st September 2025
Results day
Wednesday 15th October 2025
Secondary school application deadline
Friday 31st October 2025
National offer day
Monday 2nd March 2026
Application steps
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.
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.
Keep your confirmation email
After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email which you should keep to refer to it later.
05 / Resources
Practice papers and familiarisation materials
These local PDF copies are useful for format practice and timing; dates, paper formats, and registration details can change, so the current admissions page remains the source to trust.
English
Maths
Non-Verbal Reasoning
PaperNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Non-Verbal Reasoning and Maths Practice Paper 1
Mark schemeNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Non-Verbal Reasoning and Maths Practice Paper 1
PaperNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Non-Verbal Reasoning Paper 1
Mark schemeNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Non-Verbal Reasoning Paper 1
PaperNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Non-Verbal Reasoning Paper 2
PaperNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Non-Verbal Reasoning Paper 3
Verbal Reasoning
PaperVerbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Verbal Reasoning Paper 1
Mark schemeVerbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Verbal Reasoning Paper 1
PaperVerbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Verbal Reasoning Paper 2
PaperVerbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Verbal Reasoning Paper 3
PaperVerbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Verbal Skills Paper
Mark schemeVerbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Verbal Skills Paper
06 / Linked schools
Schools on this route
These are the schools currently mapped to the Medway Test route in Grammar School Hub.
Search workspace
Search and filter schools
Search by school or area, then narrow the shortlist by school type, Ofsted, or test pattern where it helps.
Compare up to 4 schools
6 schools
No schools selected to compare yet.
UK Rank #109
Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School
Rochester / Medway
Ofsted: OutstandingBoys only
- Assessment
- GL Assessment
- Competition
- Moderate
- Attainment 8
- 69.5
- Grade 5+ Eng & maths
- 96.3%
UK Rank #132
Fort Pitt Grammar School
Chatham / Medway
Ofsted: OutstandingGirls only
- Assessment
- GL Assessment
- Competition
- Moderate
- Attainment 8
- 65.9
- Grade 5+ Eng & maths
- 95.9%
UK Rank #145
Rainham Mark Grammar School
Gillingham / Medway
Ofsted: GoodMixed
- Assessment
- GL Assessment
- Competition
- Moderate
- Attainment 8
- 62.7
- Grade 5+ Eng & maths
- 93.7%
UK Rank #152
Chatham Grammar
Chatham / Medway
Ofsted: GoodGirls only
- Assessment
- GL Assessment
- Competition
- High
- Attainment 8
- 61.8
- Grade 5+ Eng & maths
- 92.1%
UK Rank #114
The Rochester Grammar School
Rochester / Medway
Ofsted: GoodGirls only
- Assessment
- GL Assessment
- Competition
- Moderate
- Attainment 8
- 68.4
- Grade 5+ Eng & maths
- 97.8%
UK Rank #144
Holcombe Grammar School
Chatham / Medway
Ofsted: GoodBoys only
- Assessment
- GL Assessment
- Competition
- Moderate
- Attainment 8
- 62.4
- Grade 5+ Eng & maths
- 94.7%
07 / Shortlisting
Admissions points to compare school by school
Once the route itself is clear, treat the linked schools as separate choices. This is usually where travel, oversubscription rules, and school fit start to matter most.
Medway usually rewards early narrowing. Because the route is relatively compact, families can often get to the real school-by-school questions sooner: commute, school environment, and whether each option still feels right once the admissions detail is back on the table.
Check these before you rank schools
- How the Medway grammar schools differ in daily journey even within a compact area
- Boys', girls', and mixed options, and which setting suits your child best
- How Medway admissions rules work once a selective assessment result is in place
- Whether your realistic shortlist sits wholly inside Medway or overlaps with Kent options
08 / Preparation
How to prepare for this route
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.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which schools sit inside the Medway Test picture?
The Medway Test route covers the Medway grammar-school group around Chatham, Rochester and Rainham. The schools are close enough to compare, but they still differ by gender, setting and admissions policy.
Can Medway assessment success still depend on school preference and places?
Yes. Medway assessment success is not the same thing as an offer at Rochester, Rainham Mark, Fort Pitt, Chatham Grammar or Sir Joseph Williamson's. Preferences, places and each admissions policy still matter.
How is Medway different from the Kent Test?
Medway has its own selective test and grammar-school admissions route. It sits next to Kent geographically, but the test, scoring and Medway school list are separate from the county-wide Kent Test route.
Who usually manages registration or applications for Medway Test?
The live process usually sits with Medway Council and the participating schools. The official pages remain the source of truth for registration windows, test venues, access arrangements and final admissions instructions for the relevant year.