Question 1Aim for about 60 seconds
What is the lowest common multiple of 10 and 12?
Show the worked answer
Answer: E, 60
How to work it out
Count up in 10s and 12s until they meet: 60.
Medway Test
Medway’s selection test covers verbal reasoning, mathematical reasoning and an extended writing task.
At a glance
- Subjects
- Maths, verbal reasoning and English, plus writing
- Usually held
- September
- Set by
- GL Assessment
- Schools
- 6
The papers
| Stage | Paper | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medway Test | Verbal Reasoning | 40 | 40 minutes |
| Medway Test | Mathematical Reasoning | 40 | 40 minutes |
Paper formats are indicative and change from year to year. Always check the current arrangements with the school or local authority.
How to prepare for the Medway
The Medway Test covers maths, verbal reasoning and English. Most families start steady preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5, building accuracy first and speed later, then sit timed papers through the summer before the test, which usually takes place in September.
For maths, secure the Key Stage 2 arithmetic, fractions, ratio and problem solving before moving to the multi-step questions that separate the strongest candidates.
For English, read widely every day and practise comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar; selective tests reward precise word knowledge.
Verbal reasoning is a set of learnable question types, such as letter codes, hidden words and word analogies. Learning each type, then practising it against the clock, lifts scores quickly.
This test includes a piece of writing, so practise planning and writing a short story or description in a set time.
Schools that use the Medway
- Chatham Grammar Medway
- Fort Pitt Grammar School Medway
- Holcombe Grammar School Medway
- Rainham Mark Grammar School Medway
- The Rochester Grammar School Medway
- Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School Medway
Try some Medway style questions
Question 2Aim for about 35 seconds
If HAND is written in code as EXKA, what is the code for SHIP?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, PEFM
How to work it out
- Compare HAND with its code: each letter moves 3 places back in the alphabet.
- Do the same to SHIP: PEFM.
Question 3Aim for about 45 seconds
Which word correctly completes the sentence?
We ___ going to the park.
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, were
How to work it out
- “were” is correct here.
- “Were” is the past of “are”.
Questions parents ask
What subjects are in the Medway?
The Medway tests maths, verbal reasoning and English, and includes a piece of writing.
When is the Medway?
The main test usually takes place in September. Dates change each year, so always confirm them with the school or local authority.
How should my child prepare for the Medway?
Build the core skills in Year 4 and 5, learn each question type, then practise timed papers in the Medway format. Prism builds this plan automatically from a free starting assessment.
Find out where your child stands today
Prism starts with a free assessment across maths, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, then builds a weekly plan for your target schools. Parents follow progress free.
Start the free assessment