If you live in Rochester, Gillingham, Rainham, or any of the Medway towns, you already know that the “11 Plus season” is more than just an exam: it’s a rite of passage that can feel incredibly daunting for both parents and children.
The Medway 11 Plus is the gatekeeper to some of the finest grammar schools in the country. However, as we move through 2026, the landscape of this test has changed significantly. From the removal of the long-standing “Review” process to the major shift of several local grammar schools becoming co-educational, the stakes have never been higher.
At Tuition Academy Medway, we see many parents who believe that if their child is doing well in school, they are “naturally” ready for the Medway Test. Unfortunately, the Medway 11 Plus doesn’t just test what your child learns in the classroom; it tests how they apply that knowledge under pressure, their speed of processing, and their ability to navigate specific GL Assessment formats.
Here is exactly what the Medway 11 Plus tests in 2026, and why having a tutor who understands these local nuances is the difference between a pass and a “near miss.”
The 2026 Medway Landscape: A New Era
Before we dive into the papers, we must address the “elephant in the room” for 2026. The Medway educational map has changed.
Historically, parents had to navigate a complex web of single-sex vs. co-educational choices. As of September 2026, Chatham Grammar, Fort Pitt Grammar, and Holcombe Grammar have all transitioned to become co-educational.
This means that for the first time, every single one of Medway’s six grammar schools is now open to both boys and girls. While this offers more choice for families, it also means that competition for places is more fluid than ever. Furthermore, Medway Council has officially removed the Review process. There are no longer any “Headteacher appeals” or safety nets for borderline scores. Your child’s performance on the day is the only thing that counts.
The Three Pillars: Understanding the Papers
The Medway Test is provided by GL Assessment. It consists of three separate papers, all in a multiple-choice format.
1. The English Paper (Weighted x2)
Since 2024, the Medway English paper has moved away from “Extended Writing” (creative writing) and now mirrors the Kent Test style. It is a 30-minute sprint that focuses on:
- Comprehension: Extracting meaning from complex texts, often including classic literature or high-level non-fiction.
- Vocabulary: Understanding synonyms, antonyms, and words in context.
- SPAG: A rigorous assessment of Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar.
Why your tutor needs to know: Many generic tutors still spend hours on creative writing. In Medway if your child spends their time practicing story-telling rather than precision comprehension and SPAG, they are preparing for an exam that no longer exists.
2. The Mathematics Paper (Weighted x2)
This is a 50-minute paper covering the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum, but with a twist. It includes:
- The four operations (mental and written).
- Fractions, decimals, and percentages.
- Ratio and proportion.
- Geometry and measure.
- Complex multi-step word problems.
Why your tutor needs to know: Being “good at Maths” in Year 5 isn’t enough. The Medway Test requires students to solve problems at a speed far exceeding what is expected in SATs. A specialist 11 Plus tutor in Medway focuses on “shortcut” methods and time management that primary schools simply don’t have the time to teach.
3. The Reasoning Paper (Weighted x1)
This is often the most alien part of the test for students because Reasoning is not taught in the National Curriculum. The 45-minute paper is split into:
- Verbal Reasoning: Solving problems with words and symbols.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: Identifying patterns in shapes and diagrams.
- Spatial Reasoning: Visualising 3D shapes and rotations.
Why your tutor needs to know: Because these skills aren’t taught in school, a child’s first encounter with Reasoning should never be the exam itself. It requires a specific logic that can be learned, practiced, and mastered.
The Weighting Game: How the Score is Calculated
One of the biggest misunderstandings parents have is how the final “pass” is calculated. Medway uses a weighted aggregate score.
| Subject | Weighting | Max Standardised Score |
|---|---|---|
| English | x2 | 280 |
| Mathematics | x2 | 280 |
| Reasoning | x1 | 140 |
| Total | 700 |
The pass mark is set each year to select approximately the top 25% of children. Because English and Maths are weighted double, a “wobble” in one of these core subjects can be catastrophic. Conversely, a child who is exceptionally strong in Maths can sometimes “pull up” a slightly weaker Reasoning score.
The “Multiple Choice” Trap
Many parents assume that multiple-choice exams are easier. In reality, GL Assessment designs these papers to be incredibly deceptive. “Distractor” answers are carefully crafted to catch out children who make common calculation errors or misread a single word in a comprehension passage.
Furthermore, children must record their answers on an OMR (Optical Mark Reading) sheet. If a child skips a question but forgets to skip the corresponding line on the answer sheet, their entire paper can be marked incorrectly. This is why mock exams are such a vital part of our preparation at Tuition Academy Medway.
Why a “Generic” Tutor Won’t Cut It
In the Medway Towns, there is no shortage of “tutors.” You might find a university student looking for extra cash or a general KS2 coach. While they may be helpful with homework, the 11 Plus is a different beast entirely.
- Local Knowledge: Does the tutor know that Holcombe Grammar is now co-ed? Do they know that the Review process has been scrapped? If they don’t, they cannot give you accurate advice on your child’s chances.
- Qualified Teachers vs. Coaches: At Tuition Academy Medway, we only use qualified teachers. There is a fundamental difference between someone who “knows Maths” and someone who “knows how to teach a 10-year-old the logic of Ratio.”
- The “No Review” Reality: Since there is no longer a second chance, the tutor must be able to identify “exam nerves” and “technique flaws” months in advance. A generic tutor often misses these subtle signs.
The Importance of the Right Environment
Studying at a kitchen table can work for some, but many children thrive in a structured classroom environment that mimics the feel of the actual test day. Our classes in Medway are ability-based, meaning your child is surrounded by peers who are working at the same high level, fostering a sense of healthy competition and shared purpose.
Is Your Child Ready for the Medway 11 Plus?
The journey to grammar school is a marathon, not a sprint. Whether you are looking for long-term foundational support or intensive 11 Plus revision courses, the key is starting with an honest assessment of where your child stands today.
Don’t leave it to chance on the day. With the removal of the review process and the shifting landscape of Medway’s grammar schools, expert guidance has never been more essential.
Ready to give your child the best possible start?
Contact Tuition Academy Medway today to discuss our small-group classes led by qualified teachers. We offer a structured approach that builds confidence, perfects technique, and helps your child reach their full potential.
