Maidstone Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Information 2024
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Table of Contents
Introduction
Founded in 1549, Maidstone Grammar School is a successful grammar school for boys in Maidstone, Kent. Recently, the school built a new performing arts studio, expanded its science and computing facilities, renovated the library and built a full-size 3G all-weather pitch to better support its pupils’ needs.
The curriculum at the school is broad and inclusive. It prepares students for the challenges of GCSE exams and helps them choose a path that’s right for them. Along with regular subjects, such as science, English and maths, students also learn two languages, explore religious studies and express themselves in various performing arts classes.
Boys also benefit from an abundant co-curricular offering, aimed at maximising their experiential, hands-on learning. Book Club, chess, gardening, robotics and CCF are just some of the most popular activities, firmly supporting pupils’ development beyond the thriving classroom environment. [1]
MGS is more than a school – it’s a community. It has an established reputation for ensuring students succeed academically and socially. Every Maidstonian has ample opportunities for building leadership skills and putting them into practice through the co-curricular programme.
The school’s goal is simple and expressed through two pillars: Inspire to Learn and Inspire to Belong. MGS takes great pride in rearing well-rounded students that are curious and willing to ask questions and understand the interconnections between different subjects. In addition, it aims to make students feel safe and respected, cultivating a sense of belonging and community.
The school’s academic performance is noteworthy, with 89% of pupils recently achieving a grade 5 or above in GCSE English and maths. At A-level, 40% of grades achieved were in the A*-A range, demonstrating the school’s commitment to academic excellence. [2]
If you’re interested in the school and want to see more, you can watch this video:
Maidstone Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Information 2024
Address: Barton Road, Maidstone ME15 7BT
County: Kent
Admissions info: school@mgs.kent.sch.uk, (01622) 752101
School type: Boys’ grammar
Number of places in Year 7: 205
Open Day date: October
Exam date: September 2024
Pass mark: Aim for 75%+ in our practice tests. See below for more details.
Exam type / Board: Kent 11 Plus (PESE) Test
Maidstone Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Admissions
To be considered for a Year 7 place at Maidstone Grammar School, pupils must sit the Kent 11 Plus Test.
With 205 Year 7 places available, competition for entry is high. In cases where there are more applicants than available places, the school uses the following oversubscription criteria, giving priority to:
- Qualifying pupils who are looked-after or previously looked-after children
- Children who live in the relevant parishes and who scored 360 or more in the Kent Test, with priority in the following order:
a) Children in receipt of Free School Meals
b) Children whose siblings attend the school
c) Children who live closer to the school.
- Other qualifying children who reside in one of the relevant parishes (in the above order)
- Other qualifying children (in the above order).
Parents of students who are not awarded a grammar school place at Maidstone have a right to appeal, and in the first instance, must write to The Clerk to the Governors. For more information about Maidstone Grammar School’s admissions process, 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 Maidstone Grammar School
Parents who wish to register their son to sit the entrance examinations must do so by using an online portal, which can be accessed on the Kent County Council website. You will also be asked to complete the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF) and name Maidstone Grammar as a school of preference.
Your son’s results will be communicated via the Council in October. Year 7 place offers are typically sent out in March of the following year.
Does Maidstone Grammar School belong to a Consortium?
Maidstone Grammar School 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 Maidstone Grammar School have a catchment area?
Maidstone Grammar School has a priority area based on location and distance from the school.
Maidstone Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Format
Most Kent-based selective schools require pupils to sit the Kent 11 Plus exam, consisting of two multiple-choice papers:
Paper 1: This is an hour-long exam, split into two sections that cover English and maths. Each section has a 5-minute practice exercise and a 25-minute test.
Paper 2: This is a 60-minute test, focusing on reasoning and is split into three sections:
- Verbal Reasoning
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Spatial Reasoning
Pupils must also complete a 40-minute writing task, which might be referred to during borderline or appeal cases.
How to Prepare for the Maidstone Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam?
As Kent is the largest and most competitive grammar school area in England, it’s imperative to make the most of the time and resources available to your son in the lead-up to the Kent Test. It’s very important that he knows what to expect from the exam structure and content.
One of the most effective ways of improving your son’s performance in the exam is to use practice papers. These materials provide a clear understanding of the test format, enabling your child to confidently tackle the questions they will encounter on the big day.
Through regular practice with our resources, you will be able to identify areas where he excels, as well as areas that require further attention. Such a structured approach tends to help children grow in confidence and gain a significant advantage over other candidates.
Maidstone Grammar School 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 Maidstone Grammar School Test.
Whilst there are no guarantees, this has historically been a fairly strong indicator that your child should do well in the Maidstone Grammar School 11+ exam. Please click here to learn more.
Maidstone Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Practice Exam Papers
To help your son gain a Year 7 place at Maidstone Grammar School, we have created and extensively tested practice tests specifically for the Kent Test:
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.
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our Kent Pre-11+ Practice Tests at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
PRE-11+ KENT TESTS 1-5 BUNDLE - SAVE 15%
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:
11+ Kent Tests 1-10 Bundle - Save 20%
✅ Alternatively, you can choose a bundle of five of our recommended full practice tests for the Kent 11+ Exam, and still save 15%. Select the relevant bundle below to learn more:
11+ Kent Tests 1-5 Bundle - Save 15%
11+ Kent Tests 6-10 Bundle - Save 15%
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:
11+ Kent Verbal Reasoning Bundle
➢ 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
11+ Spatial Reasoning – Pack 1
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:
11+ Kent NVR & SR Bundle - Save 35%
Don’t forget to use the code eppdiscount at checkout to get 10% off orders over £70 and 20% off orders over £250 if you don’t buy a bundle.
Our practice tests aim to show what sort of questions were included in Maidstone Grammar School 11+ past papers. The information provided about Maidstone Grammar School was 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 post.
Frequently Asked Questions About 11+ Entry to Maidstone Grammar School
How old is Maidstone Grammar School?
Maidstone Grammar School was established in 1549.
When are the Maidstone Grammar School Open Days held?
Maidstone Grammar School hosts Open Morning and Open Evening in October, welcoming prospective families on campus for a lively event packed with activities.
What are the admissions criteria for Maidstone Grammar School?
Maidstone Grammar School 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 Maidstone Grammar School 11+ test?
Parents applying to Maidstone Grammar School 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 Maidstone Grammar School as their preferred secondary school on the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF).
Can I apply for 11+ entry to a Kent school other than Maidstone Grammar School?
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 Maidstone Grammar School 11+ Exam?
All 11+ applicants for entry to Maidstone Grammar School 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 Maidstone Grammar School 11+ Exam?
Yes, the Maidstone Grammar School 11+ entrance exam does test Non-Verbal Reasoning, combining it with Spatial Reasoning questions.
Is there any way to prepare for the Maidstone Grammar School 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 Maidstone Grammar School 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+ Maidstone Grammar School 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 Maidstone Grammar School 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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