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Holcombe Grammar School 11+ entrance test
Holcombe Grammar School is a boys’ state grammar school in Chatham for ages 11 to 18. Children applying for a Year 7 place sit the Medway Test. This page explains that test and how to prepare. Admission rules change, so always check the school’s own admissions policy.
School at a glance
- School
- Boys’ state grammar school
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Area
- Chatham (Medway)
- Website
- www.holcombegrammar.org.uk
Source: Get Information about Schools (Department for Education), read 1 November 2026. NITU is not connected with the school.
The test
What we know about the Medway Test. Each detail is labelled with where it comes from.
- Reported
- The Medway Test is run by Medway Council and has three papers: English, maths and reasoning (verbal, non-verbal and spatial). A 2025 familiarisation guide is reported to describe all the papers as multiple choice.
- Reported
- Medway Council says the age-standardised scores are weighted English × 2, maths × 2 and reasoning × 1. Its published pass marks (minimum weighted scores) are 478 for 2027 entry, 481 for 2026, 482 for 2025 and 492 for 2024; reaching the pass mark does not guarantee a place.
- Reported
- For 2027 entry: registration 18 May to 12 June 2026; tests on 15 and 16 September 2026 for children at Medway primary schools (other children reported on 19 or 20 September); results on 14 October 2026. Dates for 2028 entry are expected from May 2027.
- Not published
- The number of questions (English 25, maths 25, reasoning 60), about 50 minutes per paper, the question types and five answer options. These are not published.
- Not published
- Some sources still mention an extended writing task; because this is not confirmed, we treat writing as optional.
Some sources still mention an extended writing task, but this is not confirmed, so writing is optional practice only.
Check with Medway Council’s website and each school’s admissions page before relying on any detail.
Other schools that use this test
- Chatham Grammar, Chatham
- Fort Pitt Grammar School, Chatham
- Rainham Mark Grammar School, Gillingham
- Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School, Rochester
- The Rochester Grammar School, Rochester
How to prepare
- Practise filling in a separate answer sheet, so marking the right box becomes automatic and no time is lost on test day.
- Learn the verbal reasoning question types one at a time, then mix them. Vocabulary grows fastest through wide reading.
- For non-verbal reasoning, check one feature at a time (shape, number, shading, size, position, direction) and rule options out.
- Spatial questions (rotations, reflections, cube nets) improve with hands-on practice: fold paper nets and turn shapes on the table.
- Sit full mock tests under timed conditions only every week or two, and spend the time in between on the question types that cost marks.
Read our full guide to this test.
Practice papers for this test
Original mock papers based on the published format, with answers explained. Every option has a free sample.
Four full mock tests with English, maths and reasoning papers, answer sheets, explanations, a practice weighting table and a parent guide.
Four more full mock tests in the same format as Set 1, with new questions throughout, answer sheets, answers and the parent guide.
A revision handbook for the Medway Test: 87 lessons teaching the methods for maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, with worked examples, practice questions, must-know lists and a 12-week plan.
Everything for this test in one download: Set 1 and Set 2 (eight full mock tests) and the revision handbook. £39.97 if bought separately.
Questions parents ask
Which 11+ test does Holcombe Grammar School use?
Children applying for a Year 7 place sit the Medway Test. Arrangements can change from year to year, so check the school’s admissions policy.
Is Holcombe Grammar School a boys’, girls’ or mixed school?
The Department for Education’s register lists it as a boys’ school for ages 11 to 18. It has a sixth form. Some schools admit other pupils into the sixth form, so check the school’s website.
Does a good test score guarantee a place?
No. A test score on its own does not guarantee a place. Places are offered under the school’s admission rules, which can include a qualifying score, distance or other criteria. Read the school’s admissions policy for the year you are applying.
Are your papers produced by the school?
No. NITU is independent. Our papers are original practice material based on the published format of the test; they are not produced or endorsed by Holcombe Grammar School or any test provider.
Sources: check these yourself
The facts on this page come from these official pages. Use them to check anything before you rely on it.
- Department for Education register: Holcombe Grammar School
- Holcombe Grammar School: school website
- Medway Council: the Medway Test
Links checked in November 2026. Schools and councils update their pages each year, and the school’s current admissions policy always comes first.