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Introduction
Established in 1956 as a technical school, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys underwent a transformation 26 years later, becoming the selective grammar school it is today. It has a co-educational Sixth Form with over 1,500 students enrolled and boasts impressive facilities, including a two-storey teaching centre housing ICT classes, maths lessons and food technology workshops. [1]
The curriculum is wide-ranging and stimulating, providing ample learning opportunities. There’s something for everyone, from languages and PSHE to science and humanities, as the school strives to equip students with the resources they need to succeed in higher education and become responsible global citizens.
Tunbridge Wells goes the extra mile to ensure that learners excel non-academically, providing many extracurricular opportunities for this purpose, such as drama, coding, chess, debating, STEM club and rugby. These help students hone their time management, decision-making and communication skills, ensuring that they utilise their full learning potential. [2]
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys firmly believes that education is all about students’ personal growth and development. It actively provides pupils with a wealth of opportunities to explore, discover and better understand the world around them, making learning an exhilarating journey that can unlock countless opportunities.
Joining forces with families, friends and community organisations, this grammar is committed to setting its students on the course to becoming well-rounded individuals. It aims to nurture young minds that aspire to excellence in all aspects of life and demonstrate respect for their communities and the world at large.
The Ofsted report gave the school a “Good” score. [3]
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys 11 Plus (11+) Exam Information 2025
Address: St John’s Road, Tunbridge Wells TN4 9XB
County: Kent
Admissions info: thegrammarschool@twgsboys.kent.sch.uk, 01892 529551
School type: Boys’ grammar
Open Day date: June, July, September, October
Exam date: September 2025
Pass mark: Aim for 75%+ in our practice tests. See below for more details.
Exam type / Board: Kent 11 Plus (PESE) Test
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys 11 Plus (11+) Admissions
All available Year 7 places at Tunbridge Wells Grammar are allocated on the basis of student performance in the Kent Test. Admissions are dealt with by Kent County Council, the Local Authority.
In instances where there are more applicants than Year 7 places, TWGSB uses the following oversubscription criteria, giving priority to:
- Children in care, or who have previously been in care
- Children with a sibling at the school
- Children with specific health and special access requirements
- Children who live within a 3-mile radius of the school
- Children who live in the relevant parishes
- Children who live closest to the school.
For more information about TWGSB’s oversubscription criteria, please visit the school’s website. You can view the school’s exact location on the map below:
How to Apply for 11 Plus (11+) Entry to Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys
As part of the registration process, you should complete the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF) and return it to the Local Authority (LA), stating Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys as a preferred school.
Your son should also be registered for the Kent Test, which is done through the Kent County Council website. Test results are made known in October, while offers of school places are sent out in March.
Does Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys belong to a Consortium?
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys belongs to the Kent 11+ Consortium, a group of schools that use the same entrance exam format and share a very similar admissions process.
Does Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys have a catchment area?
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys has a priority area based on proximity to the school (within a 3-mile radius). The list of parishes that are also included in the priority area can be accessed through the Admissions Arrangements document, available on this page.
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys 11 Plus (11+) Exam Format
The majority of Kent’s selective grammar schools use the Kent Test at 11 Plus. This exam consists of two multiple-choice papers, with a separate answer sheet, in the following format:
- An hour-long exam that evaluates Reasoning abilities. This includes Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning.
- An hour-long exam that tests English and Maths.
Pupils will also be asked to complete a 40-minute writing task. This will not be marked as part of the 11 Plus exam but might be used in borderline cases.
How to Prepare for the Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys 11 Plus (11+) Exam?
In order for your son to secure a Year 7 place at TWGSB, he will need to be well-prepared for the Kent Test. Children generally perform better in exams if they have revised over a longer period of time. A ‘little and often’ approach typically works best and ensures that they don’t become overwhelmed with studying.
We highly recommend using practice papers as a way of highlighting any areas that need additional work. They will help you to identify your son’s strengths and weaknesses early on. Moreover, our practice tests will help him get used to answering questions quickly and under time pressure.
Our thoroughly researched and up-to-date resources enable a structured approach towards exam preparation that results in a significant advantage over other candidates. Due to their practicality and effectiveness, our practice tests are used successfully by hundreds of thousands of students every year.
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys 11 Plus (11+) Exam Pass Marks and Target Scores
Following the exam, your child will receive three standardised scores, one for English, one for Mathematics, and one total score including Reasoning. In order to pass the exam, your child’s standardised score must be over 109 and their total score must be 332 or more. [1]
Based on historical data, we have found that students who are able to score 75%+ consistently in our 11+ Kent practice tests are on track to pass the Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys Test.
Whilst there are no guarantees, this has historically been a fairly strong indicator that your child should do well in the Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys 11+ exam. Please click here to learn more.
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys 11 Plus (11+) Practice Exam Papers
Pupils sitting the Kent Test, with a view of gaining a Year 7 place at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, will hugely benefit from these resources:
Pre-11+ Practice Tests
➢ The Kent Pre-11+ Practice Tests are designed for Year 4 and 5 students to introduce the exam format and boost their confidence. These tests are less challenging than the Kent 11+ Exam. They offer an accurate yet more straightforward representation of the actual exam, allowing students to familiarise themselves with exam specifics. This approach provides a solid foundation for students to progress to more challenging 11+ Practice Tests.
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Kent – Full Practice Tests
➢ The following practice tests are specifically designed to help your child prepare for the Kent Test. They provide excellent mock exam preparation, highlighting your child’s strengths and weaknesses:
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended full practice resources for the Kent 11+ Exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
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Kent – Subject Specific Practice
➢ The following 11+ resources provide full preparation for the English section of the Kent Test, maximising your child’s comprehension and writing skills:
English
Full Practice Tests
Skill specific practice
Masterclasses
Writing
If you’d like to have your child’s writing assessed and marked, you may be interested in our Writing Marking Service. Please click here to learn more.
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended resources for the English section of the Kent 11+ Exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
11+ Kent English Bundle
➢ The following 11+ resources extensively cover the Mathematics section of the Kent Test, allowing your child to thoroughly prepare for exam day:
Mathematics
Full Practice Tests
Skill Specific Practice
11+ Fractions, Decimals & Percentages
11+ Reflection, Rotation & Symmetry
Masterclasses
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended resources for the Maths section of the Kent 11+ Exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
11+ Kent Mathematics Bundle
➢ In order for your child to master Verbal Reasoning skills in the lead-up to the Kent Test, we recommend the following resources:
Verbal Reasoning
Full Practice Tests
Skill Specific Practice
Masterclasses
11+ Verbal Reasoning Masterclass
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended resources for the Verbal Reasoning section of the Kent 11+ Exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
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➢ The following resources will help boost your child’s Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning abilities ahead of the Kent Test:
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Full Practice Tests
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning – Pack 1
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning – Pack 2
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning – Pack 3
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning – Pack 4
Skill Specific Practice
Masterclasses
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Masterclass
Spatial Reasoning
Full Practice Tests
Skill Specific Practice
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended resources for the Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning section of the Kent 11+ Exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
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Our practice tests aim to show what sort of questions have been included in Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys 11+ past papers. The information provided about Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys is believed to be correct at the time of publishing. However, please be aware of future changes. We advise you to contact the school directly if you are unsure of anything. School contact details are provided within the article.
Please note that Exam Papers Plus is an independent publisher of practice tests and resources, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys.
Frequently Asked Questions About 11+ Entry to Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys (TWGSB)
How old is Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys (TWGSB)?
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys was established in 1956.
When are the Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys (TWGSB) Open Days held?
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys hosts Open Mornings and Open Evenings between June to October, welcoming prospective families on campus for a lively event packed with activities.
What are the admissions criteria for Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys (TWGSB)?
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys assesses prospective pupils through the standardised Kent Test (PESE), also used by other schools in the Kent Grammar School Consortium. The assessment covers English, Mathematics and Reasoning (Verbal, Non-Verbal and Spatial).
How do I register my child for the Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys (TWGSB) 11+ test?
Parents applying to Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys must register their child for the 11+ exam using an online portal, which can be accessed through the Kent County Council website. Residents of Kent also need to state TWGSB as their preferred secondary school on the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF).
Can I apply for 11+ entry to a Kent school other than Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys (TWGSB)?
Yes, you can apply for entry to up to four Kent grammar schools by naming them as preferences on the Secondary Common Application Form.
What’s the format of the Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys (TWGSB) 11+ Exam?
All 11+ applicants for entry to Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys will be asked to sit the Kent (PESE) Test which tests English comprehension, Reasoning abilities and Mathematics. There will also be a creative writing paper, which isn’t marked for the purposes of the 11 Plus exam but may be used as evidence for borderline cases.
Is there Non-Verbal Reasoning in the Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys (TWGSB) 11+ Exam?
Yes, the Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys 11+ entrance exam does test Non-Verbal Reasoning, combining it with Spatial Reasoning questions.
Is there any way to prepare for the Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys 11+ entrance examination?
One of the best ways to prepare for a challenging entrance exam, such as the Kent Test, is to use practice tests. They will provide your son with the opportunity to become familiar with the format and question types that he will encounter in the actual exam. Our practice papers are used successfully every year by hundreds of thousands of students targeting schools with a competitive entrance exam.
Which are the best preparation materials for the Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys 11+ entrance examination?
We recommend beginning with a few full practice tests, such as this one. These will act as diagnostics so you can quickly work out which areas your child needs to focus on. You can then select the relevant topic based material listed above to target weaker areas. Please get in touch if you need advice on how to prepare or what to focus on for each section and stage of the exam.
Where can I find the best 11+ Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys (TWGSB) mock test?
Our 11+ Kent Practice Tests replicate the format and style of the actual exam, effectively preparing students for success in this competitive assessment. Each practice test is designed to mimic the full examination experience, covering relevant Maths, English and Reasoning question types. More details are available on this page.
What is the pass mark for the Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys (TWGSB) 11+ Exam?
Historical data shows that most schools in the area do not admit applicants who have a standardised score of less than 109 and a total score of less than 332. Exam results from previous years suggest this correlates with a score of roughly 75%+ in our 11+ practice tests.
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Author(s)
Louise Lang
Director of Learning
