Maidstone Grammar School (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

Maidstone Grammar School is a historic selective grammar school for boys situated in Maidstone, Kent. Established in 1549, it provides an exceptional education to over 1,400 students aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Recognised as one of the best grammar schools in UK, the school fosters exceptional academic and personal growth for its pupils. Its current Ofsted Rating is "Good".

Maidstone Grammar School creates a cohesive environment through its unique Vertical Pastoral System, ensuring seamless integration for new students. 

The school prioritises advanced cognitive development through a forward-thinking academic ethos, while fostering leadership and resilience through its prestigious Combined Cadet Force programme.

In this guide, I apply 18+ years of education consultancy to help parents navigate Maidstone Grammar School 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions with confidence.

School Details

• Type of School: Grammar / Academy Converter
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
• Gender Type: Boys (Co-educational Sixth Form)
• Religion: None
• Age Range: 11-18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1400+
• Maidstone Grammar School GCSE Results (2025): 49% achieved Grades 9-7
• Maidstone Grammar School A-Level Results (2025): 66% achieved A*-B

​​

Year 7 Admissions Details

• Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 205
• Exam Board: GL Assessment (Kent Test)
• Number of Stages: 1
• School Catchment Area:Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Sibling Policy: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Pass Mark: Aim for 90% (Standardised Score 332)

Preparing for the Maidstone Grammar School(MGS) open day requires careful scheduling. I have compiled the essential Maidstone Grammar School 11 plus exam dates, including the specific 11+ Exam date for the Kent Test, to guide you through the 2025 admissions cycle.

These dates are arranged chronologically to help you plan the academic year.

Admissions to Maidstone Grammar School are coordinated through the Kent County Council (KCC). As with other grammar schools in Kent, places are awarded based on the results of the Procedure for Entrance to Secondary Education (PESE).

How to Register for 11+ Exam

• Parents must complete the 11 plus exam registration specifically for the Kent Test.
• This process opens in early June 2025 and closes strictly on 1^st July 2025.
• Registration is done online via the Kent County Council website.
• Students cannot sit the 11+ Exam in September without this confirmed registration.

​​

The Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF)

• The 11 plus exam process is separate from applying for a school place.
• You must complete the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF) via your home Local Authority Admissions Portal.
• The national deadline for submitting this application is Friday 31^st October 2025.
• As stated in the Maidstone Grammar School Admissions Policy, you must list MGS as a preference on this form.

Maidstone Grammar School prioritises admission for boys based on the proximity of their home to the school site. Consequently, the Maidstone Grammar School Catchment Area is not fixed but changes annually based on the applicant pool.

As stated in the Maidstone Grammar School Admissions Policy, distance is the deciding factor for qualified candidates. This creates a fluid 11+ exam catchment zone that expands or contracts each year.

Defining the Admission Zone

Parents must understand how location impacts the 11 plus rank through these specific technical criteria:

• Listed Parishes First: Priority is strictly given to those within the Maidstone area and specific neighboring parishes.
• The "360" Multiplier: Within these parishes, boys with a high score (360+) are placed at the front of the queue.
• NLPG Precision: Distance is measured in a straight line using the National Land and Property Gazetteer (NLPG) address point. This ensures a uniform measurement from a specific point within the child's home to a fixed point on the school site for every applicant.

As stated in the Maidstone Grammar School Admissions Policy, admissions depend on boys reaching the required standard in the Kent Test (Procedure for Entrance to Secondary Education). This assessment evaluates a candidate’s suitability for a grammar school education.

The Maidstone Grammar School 11 Plus Test (Kent Test) calculates the final score by age-standardising the results from the English, Maths, and Reasoning papers. Each of the three sections is weighted equally. The writing exercise does not contribute to the numerical score but is critical for Headteacher reviews.

Parent’s Top 4 Queries

Is the exam school-specific? 

No, MGS uses the standard Kent Test (PESE).

Does the school set its own pass mark? 

No. The pass mark is set by Kent County Council (KCC) for all Kent grammar schools. However, MGS uses a "high score" of 360+ as a priority criterion for local applicants.

What exam board does MGS follow?

 GL Assessment.

How long is the 11+ Exam? 

Approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes of testing time, plus breaks and administrative instructions.

Important Note for Parents - OMR Sheet Guidance

Students must use an HB pencil to mark answers on the machine-readable OMR sheet for the Gl assessment 11 plus papers. Ensure your son understands how to mark a heavy horizontal line clearly, as automated scanners may miss faint marks or circles.

Admission to Maidstone Grammar School depends on the eleven plus exam (Kent Test). Students must reach the threshold set annually by the local authority.

Recent Qualifying Scores

The standard usually combines a total score with minimum paper scores.

• Aggregate Score: Typically 332 or higher.
• Minimum Score: Often 107-109 per section.

Meeting the baseline Kent Test pass mark percentage (typically an aggregate of 332) makes your son eligible, but it does not guarantee entry. At MGS, scoring a 'High Score' of 360 or more is a critical differentiator. Under the current oversubscription criteria, local boys who achieve 360+ are prioritised for places before other local qualifying students.

Maidstone Grammar School is a premier choice for boys in the region. However, securing a place is never guaranteed due to high application numbers.

I have guided many families through the Kent 11+ process over the years. A robust strategy always includes a mix of local grammar options and independent backups.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

Most applicants to MGS also look at Oakwood Park for a local alternative or The Judd School for an academic reach. Here is how the top alternatives compare:

Why these schools are the top alternatives to MGS

• Oakwood Park Grammar School (OPGS): This is the most logical parallel option for Maidstone-based families. It utilizes the same Kent Test, meaning your son does not need to sit for a separate exam.
• The Judd School: Known as a "super-selective," Judd is ideal for high-flying academic boys. It ranks among the top schools nationally but requires an exceptionally high 11+ score.
• Rochester Mathematical School: Situated nearby, "The Math School" offers a similar single-sex education environment. It is a strong choice for boys with an aptitude for STEM subjects.
• Sutton Valence School: This independent school provides a fantastic co-educational environment. It is perfect for parents seeking smaller class sizes and extensive extracurricular facilities.
• King’s School Rochester: As the second oldest school in the world, King’s offers prestige and history. It serves as an excellent private backup with a strong focus on holistic development.

According to the National School Census, Maidstone Grammar School consistently receives a high volume of applications. For the last three years (2022–2025), there have been roughly three applications for every available place. This intense competition emphasizes why early preparation for the eleven plus exam is vital.

Source: National School Census.

As outlined in the Maidstone Grammar School Admissions Policy, the school remains consistently oversubscribed, with a 18% oversubscription rate in 2025.

How hard is it to get into Maidstone Grammar School?

Parents often come to me asking, “Is Maidstone Grammar School hard to get into?” despite the challenging odds. Through my consulting experience, I know success is manageable with a solid, targeted strategy.

Maidstone Grammar School follows the Kent Test format for its entrance examination. This exam is administered by the Kent County Council and assesses candidates on a variety of subjects.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths topics

Our analysis of 11+ past papers indicates that the maths test covers Key Stage 2 topics with a focus on core numerical skills. The 11+ maths topics are weighted towards Numbers and Measurements.

The following breakdown highlights the expected topic distribution for the Kent 11 plus test maths paper.

Master these areas using our comprehensive 11 Plus Practice Papers. We provide topic-wise questions to strengthen your child's understanding.

Analysis of 11+ Exam English topics

The English section of the Kent test typically includes reading comprehension and sentence completion tasks. A strong grasp of vocabulary is essential for success in this module.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

11 plus verbal reasoning tests a student's ability to process verbal information logically. Questions often involve codes, missing letters, and word associations.

Enhance your preparation with our 11 plus exam papers specifically designed for reasoning skills.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Non-Verbal Reasoning topics

The 11 plus non verbal reasoning paper assesses the ability to analyse visual data. Spatial reasoning is a significant component of this section.

Which are the Best 11+ Practice Papers for Maidstone Grammar School?

To secure a place at one of the top Kent schools, consistent practice with reliable resources is vital. Our Kent test practice papers mirror the actual exam format.

We recommend the following resources to cover all subjects included in the Maidstone Grammar School 11+ exam.

Using these 11+ past papers will help your child become familiar with the exam pressure and time constraints.

Maidstone Grammar School is highly selective, making focused preparation essential for success. Sitting an 11 plus mock test helps students familiarise themselves with the exam format. These sessions are vital to identify weak areas and refine speed under strict exam conditions.

Since admission depends on the GL Assessment board used in Kent, we recommend the following resources to mirror this challenge:

Parents can check out our free 11 plus mock test to assess their child's initial level. Securing an 11 plus mock test Kent ensures students handle the pressure of this competitive environment.

• Autumn Half Term 1: Wednesday 2^nd September 2026 to Friday 23^rd October 2026
• Autumn Half Term 2: Monday 2^nd November 2026 to Friday 18^th December 2026
• Spring Half Term 1: Monday 4^th January 2027 to Friday 12^th February 2027
• Spring Half Term 2: Monday 22^nd February 2027 to Thursday 25^th March 2027
• Summer Half Term 1: Monday 12^th April 2027 to Friday 28^th May 2027
• Summer Half Term 2: Tuesday 8^th June 2027 to Friday 16^th July 2027

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and Maidstone Grammar School Official Website.

Navigating the 11+ grammar school entry requires coordinating with your local authority and understanding specific exam formats. Here are the essential, official resources to help you prepare your application for Maidstone Grammar School.

• Kent Test Familiarisation Materials
• UK Govt. - Get Information on Maidstone Grammar School Page
• Maidstone Grammar School Ofsted Report
• Gov.UK Find your Local Council Page
• Maidstone Grammar School Admissions Policy
• UK Govt. - Schools, pupils and their characteristics data