78% in practice (our estimate, not a school figure)
About the Medway Test
Medway’s selection test covers verbal reasoning, mathematical reasoning and an extended writing task.
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
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.
Practice questions in the style of the test
Written by Prism in the style of the test, not taken from any school’s papers.
Question 1Aim for about 60 seconds
Priya spends £4.58 and pays with a £5 note. What is the smallest number of coins Priya can get in change?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, 3
How to work it out
The change is £5.00 − £4.58 = £0.42.
Use the biggest coin that fits each time: 20p + 20p + 2p.
That is 3 coins.
Why the other options are wrong
A (1): Too few coins to make the change exactly.
B (4): This splits one coin into two smaller ones. Use the biggest coin that fits each time.
D (5): Use £2 and £1 coins before smaller ones.
E (2): Check the change again: one of the amounts has been missed.
Question 2Aim for about 35 seconds
If BOAT is written in code as FSEX, what is the code for GATE?
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, KEXI
How to work it out
Compare BOAT with its code: each letter moves 4 places forward in the alphabet.
Do the same to GATE: KEXI.
Question 3Aim for about 45 seconds
Which part has a grammar mistake? Choose “No mistake” if there is none.
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, never saw
How to work it out
After “have”, the verb is “seen”, not “saw”.
Why the other options are wrong
A (I have): This part is grammatically correct.
C (such a): This part is grammatically correct.
D (beautiful sunset.): This part is grammatically correct.
E (No mistake): There is a mistake: After “have”, the verb is “seen”, not “saw”.
What entrance test does Holcombe Grammar School use?
Holcombe Grammar School uses the Medway Test, which tests maths, verbal reasoning and English and includes a piece of writing. Check the school’s admissions page for the current arrangements.
What score does my child need for Holcombe Grammar School?
Schools do not publish pass marks. As a guide, Prism suggests a child aims to score around 78% consistently in practice for a selective school. This is Prism’s own estimate, not a figure from the school, and no score guarantees a place.
When should my child start preparing for Holcombe Grammar School?
Most families start in Year 4 or early Year 5, then practise timed papers during the summer before the test, which usually takes place in September.
Preparing for Holcombe Grammar School?
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.