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

​Maidstone Grammar School for Girls is a leading selective grammar school for girls situated in the heart of Maidstone, Kent. Established in 1887, it delivers an exceptional education to over 1,250 pupils aged 11 to 18. Pupils at MGGS Maidstone benefit from a robust curriculum covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Recognised among the best grammar schools in UK for its academic rigour, the school holds an Ofsted Rating of "Outstanding."

MGGS Maidstone holds prestigious status as an accredited Advanced Thinking School and a Google Leading Light School. Uniquely, it balances this modern innovation with a rich heritage, utilizing its restored on-site WWII air raid shelters to provide immersive historical learning opportunities.

In this guide, I apply 6+ years of education consultancy to help parents navigate Maidstone Grammar School for Girls 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions with confidence.

School Details

• Type of School: Grammar (Academy Converter)
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
• Gender Type: Girls (Mixed Sixth Form)
• Religion: None
• Age Range: 11 to 18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1250+
• Maidstone Grammar School for Girls GCSE Results (2025):47.4% achieved Grade 9-7 (A*-A equivalent)
• Maidstone Grammar School for Girls A-Level Results (2025):57.2% achieved Grades A*-B

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Year 7 Admissions Details

• Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective (Kent Test)
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 210
• Exam Board: GL Assessment
• Number of Stages: 1
• School Catchment Area: No (See Below for more details)
• Sibling Policy: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Pass Mark: 332(Standardised Score)

Preparing for the Maidstone Grammar School for Girls open day helps you visualise your child’s future, but tracking the schedule is vital. I have compiled the essential calendar of Maidstone Grammar School for Girls 11 plus exam dates to ensure you never miss a deadline.

This schedule covers the 11+ Exam date and application steps for the Kent Test, which this school uses for admission. We have listed the 11 plus exam dates chronologically below to assist your planning.

Admission to MGGS Maidstone is determined by the Kent Test (PESE), aligning with the coordinated scheme for grammar schools in Kent. Parents must strictly follow the 11 plus exam process to ensure their daughter is eligible for a Year 7 place.

How to Register for the 11+ Exam

• Portal Access: Parents must complete the 11 plus exam registration online via the Kent County Council website.
• Timeline: Registration for the test typically opens in June and closes in early July.
• Status: It is vital to remember that this registration is solely to sit the test; it does not constitute a formal application for a school place.

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Submitting the Application Forms

• Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF): You must apply for a school place through your home Local Authority. This application process opens in September and must be submitted by the end of October. Kent residents apply via the Kent County Council portal.
• Supplementary Information Form (SIF): According to the Maidstone Grammar School for Girls Admissions Policy, a SIF is only required if applying under the Pupil Premium, Free School Meals, or Children in Care criteria.
• Submission: If eligible, this form must be returned directly to the school by the end of October. For the vast majority of applicants, only the SCAF is required.

Maidstone Grammar School for Girls does not restrict admission to a fixed list of named postcodes or parishes. Instead, the School catchment area is effectively defined by the distance from the applicant's home to the school. This creates a dynamic intake zone that varies slightly each year depending on the applicant cohort.

To be considered for a place, students must first achieve a passing score in the Kent Test (PESE). According to the Maidstone Grammar School for Girls Admissions Policy, places are then allocated using the following oversubscription criteria in order:

• Looked After Children: Children in local authority care or previously in care.
• Pupil Premium: Girls registered for free school meals at any point in the last 6 years (requires a SIF).
• Current Family Association: Sisters or brothers attending Maidstone Grammar School (MGGS) when the child starts.
• Distance: Nearness of the child’s permanent home to the school, measured in a straight line.

Living closer to the school significantly improves the probability of entry once the initial criteria (care status, pupil premium, and siblings) are met. If more than one applicant has equal eligibility for the last available place, a random ballot is used.

As stated in the Maidstone Grammar School for Girls Admissions Policy, the school utilizes the Kent Test (PESE) for Year 7 entry. This assessment is designed to identify academic potential through GL assessment papers.

Exam Structure: The Kent Test

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Scoring and Standardization

The scores for English, Maths, and Reasoning are age-standardized to ensure fairness for younger children in the cohort. These three scores are combined to produce an aggregate Kent 11 plus test score.

To be eligible for a place at MGGS Maidstone, a student must meet a minimum threshold score in each section as well as a required total aggregate score determined annually by the local authority.

Parent’s Top 4 Queries

Does the school set its own exam?

No, admission depends entirely on the Kent test 2025 results managed by Kent County Council (KCC).

Is the writing task marked?

The writing component is not machine-marked or included in the final score but is crucial for local Headteacher Assessment panels during borderline reviews.

What exam board does MGGS Maidstone follow?

GL Assessment (Kent PESE).

How long is the 11+ Exam for MGGS Maidstone?

Approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes total.

Important Note for Parents - OMR Sheet Guidance

The Maidstone Grammar School for Girls 11 Plus Test uses a separate answer sheet for the reasoning, English, and Maths sections. Ensure your child is practiced in marking the correct box on the OMR sheet clearly, as automated optical readers determine the final GL assessment 11+ score.

Admission to MGGS Maidstone is determined by the Kent PESE assessment. Your daughter must achieve the aggregate threshold set annually by Kent County Council to qualify for a grammar school assessment.

Recent Kent Test Thresholds

• 2025 Entry: Total Score 332+ (with a minimum of 108 in each of the three papers).
• 2024 Entry: Total Score 332+ (with a minimum of 106 in each of the three papers).

While achieving these results determines eligibility for a grammar school place, it does not guarantee admission if the school is oversubscribed. In such cases, proximity to the school becomes the deciding factor.

Maidstone Grammar School for Girls is a gold standard for education in Kent. Established in 1887, it combines academic rigour with a supportive environment. Many parents aspire to send their daughters here for its consistent excellence.

Admission depends on passing the Kent Test, which is highly competitive. You can view the full criteria on the Admissions Page. Given the pressure, we strongly advise against a "one-school" strategy.

Successful applicants often have a portfolio of backup schools. This ensures your daughter thrives, even if she misses out on MGGS Maidstone. We recommend applying to three grammar schools and two private schools.

Top 5 Alternative Schools to Maidstone Grammar School for Girls

​Based on peer group analysis and geographic proximity, these are the best alternatives. They offer similar academic standards to Maidstone Grammar School for Girls.

Why these schools are the top alternatives

• Invicta Grammar School: This is the most direct alternative in Maidstone. It shares a similar catchment area and uses the same Kent Test (GL) for entry.
• Tonbridge Grammar School (TGS): Ideally suited for high-flying academic students. It is a "super-selective" school offering the International Baccalaureate, perfect for girls exceeding the MGGS pass mark.
• Rochester Grammar School: Located nearby in Medway, it requires a different test (Medway Test). Sitting this provides a vital second chance if the Kent Test day goes poorly.
• Sutton Valence School: A prestigious co-educational independent option. It offers a holistic education and is excellent for families seeking strong pastoral care alongside academics.
• Kent College Pembury: This school offers a nurturing all-girls environment. It focuses on individual strengths and is a strong private backup for girls suited to single-sex education.

​​According to the National School Census, MGGS Maidstone consistently faces high demand, receiving 648 applications for the 2025 entry. With a Published Admission Number of 180, there are approximately four candidates competing for every single place.

This intense competition underscores the need for early, comprehensive preparation to meet the criteria in the Maidstone Grammar School for Girls Admissions Policy.

Source: National School Census.

Maidstone Grammar School for Girls remains heavily oversubscribed, with a significant 21% oversubscription rate recorded in 2025.

How hard is it to get into Maidstone Grammar School for Girls?

Parents frequently ask me, “Is Maidstone Grammar School for Girls hard to get into?” and worry about the statistics.

Based on my experience, despite the high numbers, success in the eleven plus exam is a predictable, winnable challenge with a solid strategy.

Keep reading to uncover the Exam Format and Preparation strategy you need to secure your daughter’s place at MGGS Maidstone!

The Maidstone Grammar School for Girls assesses candidates using the Kent Test. This exam includes reasoning, English, and Maths components.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths topics

Our review of the Kent test practice papers highlights specific topic weightings. Numbers and Geometry are significant, accounting for over half of the questions in the 11+ maths papers.

Enhance your preparation with our topic-wise questions. These resources include a planner and worksheets used by thousands of students.

Analysis of 11+ Exam English topics

For the 11 plus english papers, Comprehension and Vocabulary are critical areas. These topics require strong analytical skills and a broad lexicon.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

The 11 plus verbal reasoning section focuses heavily on code breaking and word meanings. Logic-based questions are also a frequent component of the Kent 11 plus test.

Boost your scores with our comprehensive resources. Our pack includes over 60 practice papers tailored for success.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Non-Verbal Reasoning topics

The 11 plus non verbal reasoning paper tests spatial awareness and pattern recognition. Shapes and analogies are consistently high-priority topics in the Kent Grammar School test.

Prepare effectively with our targeted questions. We provide structured planners to help master these logical patterns.

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

Our targeted 11+ past papers mimic the actual exam difficulty. These resources help students familiarise themselves with the exam format early on.

We recommend the following resources for the Maidstone Grammar School for Girls entrance exam. These packs cover all essential subjects for the Kent Test.

Maidstone Grammar School for Girls is highly selective, making rigorous preparation vital for success. Utilizing a specific 11 plus mock exam tailored to the Kent Test format helps students adapt to strict time constraints and the unique demands of the GL Assessment.

These sessions highlight critical weak areas, ensuring your child is fully prepared for the academic challenge at MGGS Maidstone.

Parents should access our free 11 plus mock test to evaluate their child's starting point. Securing an 11 plus mock test Kent ensures students handle the specific demands of this grammar school.

• Autumn Half Term 1: 2^nd September 2026 to 22^nd October 2026
  
• Autumn Half Term 2: 2^nd November 2026 to 18^th December 2026
  
• Spring Half Term 1: 4^th January 2027 to 12^th February 2027
  
• Spring Half Term 2: 22^nd February 2027 to 25^th March 2027
  
• Summer Half Term 1: 12^th April 2027 to 28^th May 2027
• Summer Half Term 2: 7^th June 2027 to 16^th July 2027

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