medway 11 plus creative writing

11+ creative writing guide with 50 example topics and prompts

by Hayley | Nov 17, 2022 | Exams , Writing | 0 comments

The 11+ exam is a school entrance exam taken in the academic year that a child in the UK turns eleven.

These exams are highly competitive, with multiple students battling for each school place awarded.

The 11 plus exam isn’t ‘one thing’, it varies in its structure and composition across the country. A creative writing task is included in nearly all of the 11 plus exams, and parents are often confused about what’s being tested.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that the plot of your child’s writing task is important. It is not.

The real aim of the 11+ creative writing task is to showcase your child’s writing skills and techniques.

And that’s why preparation is so important.

This guide begins by answering all the FAQs that parents have about the 11+ creative writing task.

At the end of the article I give my best tips & strategies for preparing your child for the 11+ creative writing task , along with 50 fiction and non-fiction creative writing prompts from past papers you can use to help your child prepare. You’ll also want to check out my 11+ reading list , because great readers turn into great writers.

Do all 11+ exams include a writing task?

Not every 11+ exam includes a short story component, but many do. Usually 3 to 5 different prompts are given for the child to choose between and they are not always ‘creative’ (fiction) pieces. One or more non-fiction options might be given for children who prefer writing non-fiction to fiction.

Timings and marking vary from test to test. For example, the Kent 11+ Test gives students 10 minutes for planning followed by 30 minutes for writing. The Medway 11+ Test gives 60 minutes for writing with ‘space allowed’ on the answer booklet for planning.

Tasks vary too. In the Kent Test a handful of stimuli are given, whereas 11+ students in Essex are asked to produce two individually set paragraphs. The Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CCSE) includes 2 creative writing paragraphs inside a 60-minute English exam.

Throughout the UK each 11+ exam has a different set of timings and papers based around the same themes. Before launching into any exam preparation it is essential to know the content and timing of your child’s particular writing task.

However varied and different these writing tasks might seem, there is one key element that binds them.

The mark scheme.

Although we can lean on previous examples to assess how likely a short story or a non-fiction tasks will be set, it would be naïve to rely completely on the content of past papers. Contemporary 11+ exams are designed to be ‘tutor-proof’ – meaning that the exam boards like to be unpredictable.

In my online writing club for kids , we teach a different task each week (following a spiral learning structure based on 10 set tasks). One task per week is perfected as the student moves through the programme of content, and one-to-one expert feedback ensures progression. This equips our writing club members to ‘write effectively for a range of purposes’ as stated in the English schools’ teacher assessment framework.

This approach ensures that students approaching a highly competitive entrance exam will be confident of the mark scheme (and able to meet its demands) for any task set.

Will my child have a choice of prompts to write from or do they have to respond to a single prompt, without a choice?

This varies. In the Kent Test there are usually 5 options given. The purpose is to gather a writing sample from each child in case of a headteacher appeal. A range of options should allow every child to showcase what they can do.

In Essex, two prescriptive paragraphs are set as part of an hour-long English paper that includes comprehension and vocabulary work. In Essex, there is no option to choose the subject matter.

The Medway Test just offers a single prompt for a whole hour of writing. Sometimes it is a creative piece. Recently it was a marketing leaflet.

The framework for teaching writing in English schools demands that in order to ‘exceed expectations’ or better, achieve ‘greater depth’, students need to be confident writing for a multitude of different purposes.

In what circumstances is a child’s creative writing task assessed?

In Essex (east of the UK) the two prescriptive writing tasks are found inside the English exam paper. They are integral to the exam and are assessed as part of this.

In Medway (east Kent in the South East) the writing task is marked and given a raw score. This is then adjusted for age and double counted. Thus, the paper is crucial to a pass.

In the west of the county of Kent there is a different system. The Kent Test has a writing task that is only marked in appeal cases. If a child dips below the passmark their school is allowed to put together a ‘headteacher’s appeal’. At this point – before the score is communicated to the parent (and probably under cover of darkness) the writing sample is pulled out of a drawer and assessed.

I’ve been running 11+ tutor clubs for years. Usually about 1% of my students passed at headteacher’s appeal.

Since starting the writing club, however, the number of students passing at appeal has gone up considerably. In recent years it’s been more like 5% of students passing on the strength of their writing sample.

What are the examiners looking for when they’re marking a student’s creative writing?

In England, the government has set out a framework for marking creative writing. There are specific ‘pupil can’ statements to assess whether a student is ‘working towards the expected standard,’ ‘working at the expected standard’ or ‘working at greater depth’.

Members of the headteacher panel assessing the writing task are given a considerable number of samples to assess at one time. These expert teachers have a clear understanding of the framework for marking, but will not be considering or discussing every detail of the writing sample as you might expect.

Schools are provided with a report after the samples have been assessed. This is very brief indeed. Often it will simply say ‘lack of precise vocabulary’ or ‘confused paragraphing.’

So there is no mark scheme as such. They won’t be totting up your child’s score to see if they have reached a given target. They are on the panel because of their experience, and they have a short time to make an instant judgement.

Does handwriting matter?

Handwriting is assessed in primary schools. Thus it is an element of the assessment framework the panel uses as a basis for their decision.

If the exam is very soon, then don’t worry if your child is not producing immaculate, cursive handwriting. The focus should simply be on making it well-formed and legible. Every element of the assessment framework does not need to be met and legible writing will allow the panel to read the content with ease.

Improve presentation quickly by offering a smooth rollerball pen instead of a pencil. Focus on fixing individual letters and praising your child for any hint of effort. The two samples below are from the same boy a few months apart. Small changes have transformed the look and feel:

Sample 1: First piece of work when joining the writing club

Sample 2: This is the same boy’s improved presentation and content

How long should the short story be.

First, it is not a short story as such—it is a writing sample. Your child needs to showcase their skills but there are no extra marks for finishing (or marks deducted for a half-finished piece).

For a half hour task, you should prepare your child to produce up to 4 paragraphs of beautifully crafted work. Correct spelling and proper English grammar is just the beginning. Each paragraph should have a different purpose to showcase the breadth and depth of their ability. A longer – 60 minute – task might have 5 paragraphs but rushing is to be discouraged. Considered and interesting paragraphs are so valuable, a shorter piece would be scored more highly than a rushed and dull longer piece.

I speak from experience. A while ago now I was a marker for Key Stage 2 English SATs Papers (taken in Year 6 at 11 years old). Hundreds of scripts were deposited on my doorstep each morning by DHL. There was so much work for me to get through that I came to dread long, rambling creative pieces. Some children can write pages and pages of repetitive nothingness. Ever since then, I have looked for crafted quality and am wary of children judging their own success by the number of lines competed.

Take a look at the piece of writing below. It’s an excellent example of a well-crafted piece.

Each paragraph is short, but the writer is skilful.

He used rich and precisely chosen vocabulary, he’s broken the text into natural paragraphs, and in the second paragraph he is beginning to vary his sentence openings. There is a sense of control to the sentences – the sentence structure varies with shorter and longer examples to manage tension. It is exciting to read, with a clear awareness of his audience. Punctuation is accurate and appropriate.

11+ creative writing example story

How important is it to revise for a creative writing task.

It is important.

Every student should go into their 11+ writing task with a clear paragraph plan secured. As each paragraph has a separate purpose – to showcase a specific skill – the plan should reflect this. Built into the plan is a means of flexing it, to alter the order of the paragraphs if the task demands it. There’s no point having a Beginning – Middle – End approach, as there’s nothing useful there to guide the student to the mark scheme.

Beyond this, my own students have created 3 – 5 stories that fit the same tight plan. However, the setting, mood and action are all completely different. This way a bank of rich vocabulary has already been explored and a technique or two of their own that fits the piece beautifully. These can be drawn upon on the day to boost confidence and give a greater sense of depth and consideration to their timed sample.

Preparation, rather than revision in its classic form, is the best approach. Over time, even weeks or months before the exam itself, contrasting stories are written, improved upon, typed up and then tweaked further as better ideas come to mind. Each of these meets the demands of the mark scheme (paragraphing, varied sentence openings, rich vocabulary choices, considered imagery, punctuation to enhance meaning, development of mood etc).

To ensure your child can write confidently at and above the level expected of them, drop them into my weekly weekly online writing club for the 11+ age group . The club marking will transform their writing, and quickly.

What is the relationship between the English paper and the creative writing task?

Writing is usually marked separately from any comprehension or grammar exercises in your child’s particular 11+ exam. Each exam board (by area/school) adapts the arrangement to suit their needs. Some have a separate writing test, others build it in as an element of their English paper (usually alongside a comprehension, punctuation and spelling exercise).

Although there is no creative writing task in the ISEB Common Pre-test, those who are not offered an immediate place at their chosen English public school are often invited back to complete a writing task at a later date. Our ISEB Common Pre-test students join the writing club in the months before the exam, first to tidy up the detail and second to extend the content.

What if my child has a specific learning difficulty (dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, ASD)?

Most exam boards pride themselves on their inclusivity. They will expect you to have a formal report from a qualified professional at the point of registration for the test. This needs to be in place and the recommendations will be considered by a panel. If your child needs extra arrangements on the day they may be offered (it isn’t always the case). More importantly, if they drop below a pass on one or more papers you will have a strong case for appeal.

Children with a specific learning difficulty often struggle with low confidence in their work and low self-esteem. The preparations set out above, and a kids writing club membership will allow them to go into the exam feeling positive and empowered. If they don’t achieve a pass at first, the writing sample will add weight to their appeal.

Tips and strategies for writing a high-scoring creative writing paper

• Read widely for pleasure. Read aloud to your child if they are reluctant.
• Create a strong paragraph plan where each paragraph has a distinct purpose.
• Using the list of example questions below, discuss how each could be written in the form of your paragraph plan.
• Write 3-5 stories with contrasting settings and action – each one must follow your paragraph plan. Try to include examples of literary devices and figurative language (metaphor, simile) but avoid clichés.
• Tidy up your presentation. Write with a good rollerball pen on A4 lined paper with a printed margin. Cross out with a single horizontal line and banish doodling or scribbles.
• Join the writing club for a 20-minute Zoom task per week with no finishing off or homework. An expert English teacher will mark the work personally on video every Friday and your child’s writing will be quickly transformed.

Pressed for time? Here’s a paragraph plan to follow.

At Griffin Teaching we have an online writing club for students preparing for the 11 plus creative writing task . We’ve seen first-hand what a difference just one or two months of weekly practice can make.

That said, we know that a lot of people reading this page are up against a hard deadline with an 11+ exam date fast approaching.

If that’s you (or your child), what you need is a paragraph plan.

Here’s one tried-and-true paragraph plan that we teach in our clubs. Use this as you work your way through some of the example prompts below.

11+ creative writing paragraph plan

Paragraph 1—description.

Imagine standing in the location and describe what is above the main character, what is below their feet, what is to their left and right, and what is in the distance. Try to integrate frontend adverbials into this paragraph (frontend adverbials are words or phrases used at the beginning of a sentence to describe what follows—e.g. When the fog lifted, he saw… )

Paragraph 2—Conversation

Create two characters who have different roles (e.g. site manager and student, dog walker and lost man) and write a short dialogue between them. Use what we call the “sandwich layout,” where the first person says something and you describe what they are doing while they are saying it. Add in further descriptions (perhaps of the person’s clothing or expression) before starting a new line where the second character gives a simple answer and you provide details about what the second character is doing as they speak.

Paragraph 3—Change the mood

Write three to four sentences that change the mood of the writing sample from light to gloomy or foreboding. You could write about a change in the weather or a change in the lighting of the scene. Another approach is to mention how a character reacts to the change in mood, for example by pulling their coat collar up to their ears.

Paragraph 4—Shock your reader

A classic approach is to have your character die unexpectedly in the final sentence. Or maybe the ceiling falls?

11+ creative writing questions from real papers—fictional prompts

• The day the storm came
• The day the weather changed
• The snowstorm
• The rainy day
• A sunny day out
• A foggy (or misty) day
• A day trip to remember
• The first day
• The day everything changed
• The mountain
• The hillside
• The old house
• The balloon
• The old man
• The accident
• The unfamiliar sound
• A weekend away
• Moving house
• A family celebration
• An event you remember from when you were young
• An animal attack
• The school playground at night
• The lift pinged and the door opened. I could not believe what was inside…
• “Run!” he shouted as he thundered across the sand…
• It was getting late as I dug in my pocket for the key to the door. “Hurry up!” she shouted from inside.
• I know our back garden very well, but I was surprised how different it looked at midnight…
• The red button on the wall has a sign on it saying, ‘DO NOT TOUCH.’ My little sister leant forward and hit it hard with her hand. What happened next?
• Digging down into the soft earth, the spade hit something metal…
• Write a story which features the stopping of time.
• Write a story which features an unusual method of transport.
• The cry in the woods
• Write a story which features an escape

11+ creative writing questions from real papers—non-fiction prompts

• Write a thank you letter for a present you didn’t want.
• You are about to interview someone for a job. Write a list of questions you would like to ask the applicant.
• Write a letter to complain about the uniform at your school.
• Write a leaflet to advertise your home town.
• Write a thank you letter for a holiday you didn’t enjoy.
• Write a letter of complaint to the vet after an unfortunate incident in the waiting room.
• Write a set of instructions explaining how to make toast.
• Describe the room you are in.
• Describe a person who is important to you.
• Describe your pet or an animal you know well.

Would you like to explore a topic?

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How to take the Medway 11 plus test?

What is in the medway test papers, is the 11+ right for my child.

• How to pass the Medway 11+

What is the maximum score for the Medway 11+?

• Which schools take the Medway plus?

Myth-busting the Medway 11 plus test

If you’d like your child to attend a grammar school in Medway then they may need to pass the Medway Test, also called the Medway 11 plus test (11+) or Medway 11 test . 

Regardless of whether your child lives in Medway or not, if your child would like to attend a grammar school in Medway, then they will need to sit the Medway specific 11+. The Medway test is written for the Medway council and the paper will differ from the 11+ papers in other regions and countries .

You may be asking yourself “Is the 11+ right for my child?” Start by speaking to your child and their teacher to understand if taking the Medway 11+ is the right choice for them. Those who interact with your child in an education setting, plus the perspective of your child and your own gut feeling are the best way to understand if taking the 11+ is the right choice.

If it’s decided that your child would be suitable, then you will need to register on the Parent Portal before the deadline. Registration for the Medway Test opens 1 June and closes 30 June 2022.

Children who are registered for the test by the deadline will be given access to a guide to help familiarise them with the format and layout of the mathematics and verbal reasoning tests.

If your child already goes to a Medway school, then they will most likely sit the Medway 11+ at their school in Year 6. 🚸

If your child attends a primary school outside of Medway or attends the Kings school or St Augustine’s Catholic Primary school in Medway then your child will take the test in a Medway Test Centre on the weekend.

Full details about where your child will take their Medway 11 plus test will be detailed in an invitation posted or emailed to you after registration.

The Medway 11 plus test has three papers which could be taken on the same day, or split across two days of testing. You will receive the schedule of testing beforehand in a Test Day Information Sheet .  

The papers in the Medway 11+ are:

• Mathematics (Multiple choice) ➗
• Verbal Reasoning (Multiple choice) 💭
• Extended Writing (Written essay) 📝

Your child should be very familiar with how to accurately mark the multiple-choice answer sheet before taking the Medway 11+. ✍️

For the 11 plus extended writing topics in Medway, students are usually provided with a choice of topics . Often there is a creative prompt such as ‘Write a story about a lost key.’

Another choice could be an essay where an opinion should be presented. For example ‘Is life too hectic to enjoy?’ 

State schools in the UK, including in Medway, are not obliged to provide specific Medway 11+ test preparation, so we would highly encourage using one of our specialist 11+ test tutors to give your child the tools and confidence to prepare for the Medway Test.

How to pass the Medway plus?

The three papers are weighted differently . The Mathematics and Extended Writing paper scores are valued twice as highly as the score of the Verbal Reasoning paper.

Take a look at the below score table for an example student who has passed the Medway Test:

While any child taking the Medway 11 Plus test should have a good grasp of all three papers, it makes sense to place slightly more emphasis on studying for the Mathematics and Extended Writing papers since they are weighted more heavily in the total score. ⚖️

The pass mark is adjusted each year depending on the standard of papers submitted so that exactly 23 percent of exam papers pass.

• In 2021 the qualifying pass mark was 483
• In 2020 the qualifying pass mark was 490
• In 2019 the qualifying pass mark was 492
• In 2018 the qualifying pass mark was 495

It is worth remembering that passing the Medway 11 plus test does not mean that your child will automatically be given a place at a Medway grammar school. Places usually outnumber applications, and each grammar school will use their own criteria to decide which student to allocate a place to.

To give your child the best chance of achieving their full potential in the Medway 11+, we recommend contacting a GoStudent tutor to create a tailored study plan specifically for the Medway Test.

The maximum weighted score is 700 . Looking back on previous years pass marks we can see that a score between 483-495 was necessary to pass the Medway Test within the last four years. 

Which schools take the Medway Plus?

Check if your child’s current school already offers Year 6 pupils to sit the Medway 11+ below:

• Academy of Cuxton Schools - Juniors
• All Faiths' Children's Academy
• All Saints CE Primary School
• Balfour Junior Academy
• Barnsole Primary School
• Bligh Primary School - Juniors
• Brompton Westbrook Primary School
• Bryony School
• Burnt Oak Primary School
• Byron Primary School
• Cedar Children's Academy
• Chattenden Primary School
• Cliffe Woods Primary School
• Deanwood Primary School
• Delce Academy
• Elaine Primary School
• English Martyrs' Catholic Primary School
• Fairview Community Primary School
• Featherby Junior School
• Gordon Children's Academy - Juniors
• Halling Primary School
• Hempstead Schools Federation - Juniors
• High Halstow Primary Academy
• Hilltop Primary Academy
• Hoo St Werburgh Primary School
• Horsted School - Juniors
• Kingfisher Primary School
• Kings School Rochester
• Lordswood School
• Luton Primary School
• Maundene School
• Mierscourt Primary School
• Napier Primary Academy
• New Horizons Children's Academy
• New Road Primary School
• Oaklands School
• Oasis Academy Skinner Street
• Parkwood Primary School
• Peninsula East Primary Academy
• Phoenix Junior Academy
• Riverside Primary School
• Saxon Way Primary School
• St Andrews School Rochester
• St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Primary School
• St Benedict's Catholic Primary School
• St Helen's CEP School
• St James' CE Primary Academy
• St Margaret's at Troy Town CE Primary School
• St Margaret's CE Junior School
• St Mary's Catholic Primary School
• St Mary's Island CE Primary School
• St Michael's RC Primary School
• St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School
• St Thomas More Catholic Primary School
• St William of Perth Catholic Primary School
• Swingate Primary School
• Temple Mill Primary School
• Thames View Primary School
• The Academy of Woodlands
• The Hundred of Hoo Academy
• The Pilgrim School
• Twydall Primary School
• Wainscott Primary School
• Walderslade Primary School
• Warren Wood Primary Academy
• Wayfield Primary School

With all of the confusion around calculating standardised scores, some myths also circulate the school playground that we can bust!

• Myth: Older children have marks taken away to make the test fairer for their younger classmates ❌
• Truth: Younger children are awarded extra marks to compensate for up to a year less of exposure to new vocabulary ✔️
• Myth: Boys scores are calculated differently to girls due to a concept that “boys develop more slowly than girls” ❌
• Truth: Standardising boys and girls scores differently does not happen and is illegal under the terms of the Sex Discrimination Act ✔️
• Myth: Any 11+ test papers online will help my child prepare for the Medway 11+ test ❌ Truth:  The provider for the Medway test is GL Assessment. Only practice papers from their website are official and endorsed by Medway Council✔️

If you’re ready to begin preparing for the 11 plus , a Medway 11+ Tutor from GoStudent is ready to put this knowledge about the Medway Test into practice with your child!

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• 11 Plus Creative Writing – Example Topics and Tasks

11 Plus Creative Writing – Example Topics and Tasks

Schools can of course ask anything so these example tasks shouldn’t be used as stock answers.

Pupils will however find that developing a full description bank of characters, emotions, action, the natural world and the built environment etc will help them to deliver effective and creative descriptions on the day.

Using those description banks within these sample stories will help them to develop their work further and enable them to embed their thoughts so they can deliver properly on the day.

Remember if you are going to tackle any of these sample writing topics and tasks you should always plan to revisit your work a few days after you have done it. As part of the process children who often re-write their work to improve it find they make better progress.

Good resources to help with creative writing are rare. If you need help then we do recommend this creative writing preparation course . Since we started recommending it we have had very good feedback from our users, whether they have used it to prepare for an 11 Plus exam or an Independent entry test.

11 Plus creative writing example topics list

The following topics and tasks have come up in either in grammar school or independent school 11 plus writing tests:

Core themes for creative writing topics and tasks:

Many stories have core themes or emotions or feelings within them. When developing your descriptions banks these are useful areas to think about:

Animals – Typically describe your pet or your favourite animal or an animal you are frightened of. Be prepared to be use literary devices like personification or exaggeration or even simple similes to bring your description to life.

Emotions and feelings – Stories often include a requirement to describe emotion like fear, or joy or what it feels like to be lost or alone. They could easily ask you to describe enjoyment through a title like My brilliant day. Sometimes the titles may overtly lead you in a very clear direction. Lost ! and Alone! Are two previous examples that have come up.

Activities you enjoy doing – This is chance to describe the activity itself ( whatever you like from mountaineering to gardening and everything in between) plus how it makes you feel. Again your development of description banks should have helped you.

The natural world – Could be hills or mountains, rivers or streams or lightning or the rain or the feeling of sunshine or how a meadow looks or a field of wheat. Children who cover the natural world in their descriptions development work always find it useful.

The built environment – Think houses or offices blocks or cottages or castles.  Roads and bridges, churches and sheds.  Developing some thoughts about how to describe the built environment is always useful.

Story Titles:

Story titles can be long or short.  Here are some examples of story titles which have come up in both Grammar School and Independent School tests.

• The Day Trip
• The Broken Window
• The Abandoned House
• The Voice in the Darkness
• Write a story with Alone as the title, where you suddenly realise that you are on your own.  It may be a true or entirely made up, but it should include your thoughts and feelings as well as what happened.
• Write a story (true or made up) about a visit you make to some relations of your own.
• Write a letter to a cousin inviting him to stay with you. You should try and interest him in some of the varied and unusual activities he can take part in.
• Describe a situation which you have experienced which might also be called A Magical Moment, showing what your thoughts and feelings are.
• Write a clear description of an animal you know well.  Make sure you describe what it does and how it behaves as well as what it looks like.
• I prefer Winter to Spring.
• The door and what was behind it.
• The Prince of Darkness is a Gentleman.
• Ash on an old man’s sleeve.
• Write a story that begins with the words – I had been waiting for such a long time for this to happen.
• Write a description of someone you admire.  (You may choose someone you actually know, or someone you have never met.  Describe them and explain why you admire them).

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The Medway 11+ test explained

Prepare Your Child For The 11+ Exam

• Essential 11+ English and maths skills
• Verbal and non-verbal reasoning questions
• Reading comprehension worksheets & CLOZE tests

Which schools require an 11+ pass?

Medway has six selective (grammar) schools :

• Holcombe Grammar School (Boys)
• Chatham Grammar School for Girls
• Ford Pitt Grammar School
• Rainham Mark Grammar School
• Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School (Boys)
• The Rochester Grammar School (Girls)

There is also one bilateral school – The Howard School – which allocates 25 per cent of its places based on the results of the 11+ and places these children in a separate grammar stream.

Admissions criteria vary between the schools, so it’s important to check admissions policies for each school before you make any decisions.

The Medway area operates the 'testing before preference' system, where you'll receive your child's 11+ result before you have to choose which schools to apply for so you can make the most informed decision.

What do the tests involve?

The Medway Test consists of three separate papers:

• An extended writing exercise: usually writing an essay about a given title
• A mathematics paper: multiple choice
• A verbal reasoning paper: multiple choice

Twenty per cent of the marks are allocated for the verbal reasoning paper, 40 per cent for mathematics and 40 per cent for the writing task. The tests are designed to identify 23 per cent of children as suitable for grammar school education , with approximately a further two per cent selected through a review process, where their work from their current primary school will be taken into account. 

What version of the test is used?

Children have to take the Medway Test , which is used for Medway grammar schools only. In previous years, children who passed the Medway test could apply for a grammar school place in Kent, and vice versa, but now your child will have to take both the Medway and Kent test if you want to apply for schools in both areas. The tasks are designed to minimise the effects of coaching so that all children have an equal opportunity.

CEM will no longer be providing 11+ tests from September 2023. Further information will be added to this page in due course. We recommend contacting individual schools for more information about their new test provider. 

How do you arrange for your child to take the test?

Registration for the Medway test usually takes place from early June to late June, with tests taking place mid-September. Admissions can be made via the local authority website at www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions or you can complete a registration form and return it to your child’s primary school (if you live in Medway) or to the Student Services Admissions Team, Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR. You can contact admissions by email at [email protected] or by phone on  01634 331110. 

Where are the tests held?

Your child's test venue will depend on which primary school they currently attend. Each Medway primary school decides where and when to undertake the testing for their children and the vast majority choose to administer the test in their own school setting. Children from outside the area will take the 11+ at an independent test centre.

What is the pass mark?

Each paper is marked based on the number of correct answers for maths and verbal reasoning, and against specific criteria for the writing paper. The scores are then standardised – in other words, your child’s age at the time of the test is taken into account. There is no definitive pass mark, as the minimum selective score set differs each year dependant on the size of the year group and the number of children taking the test. Overall, the maximum standardised score is 700; successful children scored 513 and above for 2017 admissions.

If your child is not successful in the Medway test, you have two choices – you can either apply for a review of your child’s case where their English, maths and science work from their primary school will also be looked at by a panel, or you can make an appeal. All the information you need to do this will be included with your child’s assessment decision letter.

How can I help prepare my child?

Your child's school should be able to give you advice on preparing for the test, including guidance on whether they feel your child is of grammar school ability.

Please note that while every effort has been made to ensure the information we provide is accurate, admissions arrangements change regularly and it is essential that you check for the most up-to-date advice on schools' own websites.

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11+ (11 plus) Medway – Practice Tests and Exam Papers

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Table of Contents

Introduction

The Medway 11+ Test takes place in September. The specific date depends on the school your child attends. This article explains the format and contents of the 11 plus exam in Medway as well as links to top 11+ Practice papers.

The Medway 11 plus has three sections:

⇒  Paper 1: English

The English paper assesses a number of skills, including comprehension and vocabulary.

⇒  Paper 2: Mathematics

Mathematics questions assess students’ mathematical skills, problem-solving abilities and logical reasoning.

⇒  Paper 3: Reasoning

In this section, Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR), Spatial Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning could be assessed. NVR questions test students’ ability to solve problems using visual and abstract reasoning. Spatial Reasoning tests spatial awareness, mental rotation, visualisation and problem-solving skills. The Verbal Reasoning sections will evaluate your child’s ability to discern rules and relationships between words and letters, as well as their ability to think critically and analyse information.

All papers are produced by GL Assessment and are designed to assess and select the top 23% of the cohort each year.

How to Prepare for the 11+ (11 Plus) Medway Test

There’s no doubt the timed practice helps children to succeed in the Medway 11+. Children who are accustomed to timed pressure and dealing with multiple-choice questions will have a distinct advantage in the exam.

Thousands of students have now successfully used the Exam Papers Plus 11+ Grammar School papers to gain entry to their first choice Grammar School.

Practice Exam Papers for the Medway Grammar Schools 11 Plus (11+) Exam

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Skill Specific Practice

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Mathematics

The following 11+ resources extensively cover the Mathematics section of the Medway 11+ Exam, allowing your child to thoroughly prepare for exam day:

11+ Maths – Pack 1

11+ Maths – Pack 2

11+ Maths – Pack 3

11+ Maths – Pack 4

11+ Algebra

11+ Angles & Degrees

11+ Estimation & Place Value

11+ Factors & Multiples

11+ Fractions, Decimals & Percentages

11+ Measurements

11+ Operations

11+ Perimeter, Area & Volume

11+ Position & Direction

11+ Probability

11+ Problem Solving – Pack 1

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11+ Properties of Shapes

11+ Ratio & Proportion

11+ Reflection, Rotation & Symmetry

11+ Sequences

11+ Special Numbers

11+ Speed, Distance & Time

11+ Statistics

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The following resources will help boost your child’s Non-Verbal (NVR) and Spatial Reasoning (SR) abilities ahead of the Medway 11+ Exam:

NVR 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

11+ Analogies

11+ Classes Like

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NVR Masterclasses

11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Masterclass

SR Full Practice Tests

11+ Spatial Reasoning – Pack 1

SR Skill Specific Practice

11+ Block Counting

11+ Combining Shapes

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Verbal Reasoning

To help your child master skills in the lead-up to the Medway Verbal Reasoning 11 Exam, we highly recommend the following resources

11+ Verbal Reasoning – Pack 1

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11+ Related Words

11+ Rhyming Synonyms

11+ Shuffled Sentences

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Best 11 Plus Online Practice Exams

Medway 11 Plus

Medway 11 Plus Exam is used to get admission to Medway grammar schools . There are six grammar schools and one bilateral school (The Howard School) in Medway.

List of Grammar schools in Medway :

• Holcombe Grammar School (Boys)
• Chatham Grammar School for Girls
• Ford Pitt Grammar School
• Rainham Mark Grammar School
• Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School (Boys)
• The Rochester Grammar School (Girls)

The admission criteria for different schools are different. Children can take the Medway 11 Plus Exam whether they live in Medway or not. Medway 11 Plus Exam is used for Medway Grammar Schools only.

Medway Test Registration Process:

Medway Test Registration takes place between early June to early July. The test will be conducted in mid of September. Registrations can be made through the website at www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions , or you can fill out a registration form and submit it to your child’s primary school or the Student Services Admissions Team, Medway Council .

Medway Exam Pattern:

The Medway Exam is divided into three papers. They are

• Multiple Choice Mathematics Paper
• Multiple Choice Verbal Reasoning Paper
• Extended Writing Paper

23 % of children in the year group are selected for Medway grammar schools through Medway 11 Plus Exam. 2% of children were selected through the review process. 40% of the marks were allocated to the Mathematics Paper, 40% of the marks were allocated to the Extended Writing Paper, and 20% of the marks were allocated to the Verbal Reasoning Paper.

You can practice all Verbal Reasoning Topic Practice Papers here:

https://www.11plusehelp.co.uk/11-plus-topics/11-plus-verbal-reasoning-topics

Both Mathematics Paper and Verbal Reasoning Paper last for 50 minutes. The duration of an Extended Writing paper is 50 minutes which includes a planning time of 10 minutes.

You can practice all Maths Topic Practice Papers here:

https://www.11plusehelp.co.uk/11-plus-topics/11-plus-maths-topics

Medway 11 Plus Test Centre:

Medway 11 Plus Test centre depends on the children’s current primary school in Medway. The Medway primary schools are responsible for conducting the Medway 11 Plus Test. T he children from the outside take the exam at the independent test centre.

Medway Passmark:

The Medway Passmark differ each year and is set at the 23rd percentile of the cohort. However, the Medway 11 Plus Exam scores are standardised, which means the child’s age is considered at the time of the test. The maximum standardised score of the Medway 11 Plus Exam is 700, and the minimum standardised score is 300.

There are two possible ways if the child is not successful in Medway 11 Plus Exam . one way is applying for a review of the child’s performance in primary school, and the second way is appealing.

Medway Review Process:

In the Review process , samples of the child’s work in English, Maths and Science from the last two terms of year 5 and the first term of year 6 will be requested from the child’s primary school. Senior representatives from Medway grammar schools and Medway primary schools are review panel members. A small fraction of students is selected through the Review process.

Medway Appeal:

Parents can only appeal for schools in the application form.

11 Plus Complete Features

11Plusehelp.co.uk provides a List of Top Grammar Schools in the UK .based on Telegraph’s research. Check out the link below for the List of Top Grammar Schools:

https://www.11plusehelp.co.uk/list-of-grammar-schools .

We have loads of 11 Plus Online Tests helping your child get into their desired schools which follow 11+ CEM, 11+ GL Assessment patterns , Independent Schools and other 11 Plus entrance examinations in the UK.

Check out the below links to have access to 11 Plus GL Assessments and CEM Practice Papers :

https://www.11plusehelp.co.uk/blog/2020/05/08/11-plus-gl-assessment-practice-papers/ .

https://www.11plusehelp.co.uk/11-plus-exam-papers/cem-practice-papers-11-plus-exam .

Do check out our article regarding the Difference Between CEM And GL to get deep insights:

https://www.11plusehelp.co.uk/difference-between-cem-and-gl .

Please go through the article below to know about different 11 Plus Exam Boards like CEM, CSSE, and GL boards, etc.:

11 Plus Mock Exams – Kent Medway

11 Plus Exam Boards

Our 11 plus exam forum 11plusehelp.co.uk includes various types of mock tests like

• 11 Plus General Mock test papers that include all the 11 Plus Subjects.
• Subject-wise mocks : 11 Plus Maths Mocks, 11 Plus VR Mocks and 11 Plus NVR mocks.
• Exam board-specific mocks : 11 Plus CSSE Mocks, 11 Plus GL Mocks and CEM familiarisation papers.

All these are available at the link given below:

https://www.11plusehelp.co.uk/user/mock_test

11 Plus Mock Information

Our expert team prepares the 11 plus mock papers to include all the question types in 11+ past papers. We are constantly monitoring their changes to make them relevant to the real 11 plus exams as the test pattern changes from time to time.

Features and advantages of our 11 mock exams are listed below :

• Experiencing live examination conditions
• Getting familiarised with the test pattern
• Instant test result
• Average indicator based on your tests taken
• Clear explanations for each correct answer are provided soon after submitting the test.
• Helping you track your child’s performance through our test Analytics

Our 11 plus mock tests are really very challenging and help your child cope with the exam stress while taking the live exam. These can be attempted at your convenience and as often as you want.

We have a variety of tests, time-based, short, long, including standard mocks . The 11 plus mock test papers are designed to be similar to that of the examinations like CEM, CSSE, GL Assessment, Independent Schools and any other 11 Plus entrance examinations (Grammar schools or Independent schools) in the UK.

11 Plus Mock Exam Papers

We focus on fundamentals, logic, basics and cover most of the syllabus for all 11 Plus exam patterns in the UK and Northern Ireland .

Children will love to take these tests, and learning is fun at 11plusehelp.co.uk .

To access Virtual Mock Exams, please visit: https://11plus-mockexams.co.uk/

You can access 11 Plus FREE Papers by visiting the below link: https://www.11plusehelp.co.uk/11-plus-free-online-papers

You can access 11 Plus FREE Sample Papers by visiting the below link: https://www.11plusehelp.co.uk/11-plus-sample-papers

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• Board index 11 PLUS REGIONS Medway

Creative Writing

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Post by reddebs » Mon May 19, 2008 12:29 pm

Post by medwaymum » Mon May 26, 2008 5:37 pm

Post by reddebs » Tue May 27, 2008 9:10 am

Post by medwaymum » Fri May 30, 2008 12:17 pm

Post by medway222 » Tue Jun 03, 2008 2:36 pm

Post by Belinda » Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:57 pm

Post by dadofkent » Sat Aug 01, 2009 2:56 pm

Belinda wrote: Hi, I've had four children do the eleven plus and the process is now over for me. My advice for preparing for the writing task would be to: 1) Make sure your children know about all the different styles of writing. Keep a folder of (practice) examples. E.g. Autobiography (as though they were someone else!) Biography, Diaries, Journals, Reports, Reviews (film, book, play, pop concert etc), News Reports, Scientific Reports, Instruction manuals, persuasive, argument - the list is endless. All these syles have particular features that should be included - make sure your child knows these! 2) Make sure your child has a very good vocabulary for a whole host of scenarios for story writing. Make sure they include similies, metaphors, personification etc. 3) Make sure they are aware of different genres. E.g. Adventure, Humour, Myth, Horror, Fantasy etc and that they use language appropriate to what they are writing. If you get them to do one writing piece a week from now they'll have a fantastic folder full of writing styles that they can read over when they go back to school in September! Good luck to you all - It's a stressful time for everyone but if you plan ahead then your child can go into the writing task feeling confident.

Post by medwaymum » Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:39 pm

Post by superMonkey » Thu Aug 20, 2009 5:52 pm

Post by medwaymum » Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:08 pm

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The 11 Plus in Kent and Medway

A beginner’s guide to the 11 plus – kent, medway and gravesend edition, chapter 3: the 11 plus in kent and medway, the kent 11 plus tests, content of the tests and format.

The Kent Test involves two exam papers. Both exams are one hour long. There’s also a 40-minute writing exercise which is used to assess a child’s abilities in cases where their marks are on the borderline for acceptance into a grammar school.

• One paper involves English and maths questions in multiple choice format. Both the English and maths sections involve a 5-minute practice exercise and a 25-minute test. In the English section, children are tested on their literacy skills and their reading comprehension.
• The other paper involves a combination of multiple choice, verbal and non-verbal reasoning questions.

Kent County Council has a “familiarisation booklet” that you can  download from their website . It’s a good idea to download a copy of the booklet so that you and your child can get a better idea of what to expect.

When your child sits the Kent Test, an invigilator will be there to guide the pupils through the tests. Listening carefully to the invigilator’s instructions is important since the format of the test means that some pages will instruct the students to stop working and not turn to the next page until the invigilator tells them to.

Reasoning Paper

The three sections of the reasoning paper test pupils on different skills:

• Verbal reasoning: the ability to think in words and symbols
• Non-verbal reasoning: the ability to think about relationships between patterns and shapes
• Spatial reasoning: the ability to handle concepts of shape and space mentally

There are practice exercises that the invigilator will go through before each section. The type of questions that students are asked to answer in the reasoning paper can be seen in the screenshots below:

English and Maths Test

Children are tested on their English and maths skills (or literacy and numeracy), and the questions are multiple choice. The English section tests students’ understanding of word meanings and their comprehension of passages of writing.

With the maths section, the questions are also multiple choice. They test pupils’ knowledge of maths skills taught up to the beginning of Year 6. However, you should prepare your child for the questions to be more complex or difficult than the questions they’re used to answering in school. Here are some examples of the kinds of questions asked:

Areas of Importance

It’s important to know that, due to the way the scores are calculated for the Kent test, not all aspects of the test are equally important.

Students should still be placing more of an emphasis on maths and English than anything else and an equal balance between non verbal and verbal reasoning. This hierarchy of importance is shown in the image below.

Which Schools are Covered by the Kent Test

The Kent Test, or Kent 11+ test is used by most of the grammar schools in the Kent area. There are 35 wholly selective and 4 partially selective grammar schools, and if you’re unsure whether the grammar school you’re looking at uses the Kent Test, you can  find a handy list here .

Gravesend Grammar School and Mayfield Grammar School (the two grammar schools in Gravesend) are both covered by the Kent Test. Both Gravesend grammar schools require a ‘normal pass’ rather than the super selective passes required by the Dartford grammar schools.

Mayfield Grammar also have their own (optional) entry test which students can sit. This is covered in further detail in chapter 5.

Process for the Kent Test

Children take the Kent Test at the beginning of Year 6, generally during the first couple of weeks of September. Every year, between 14,000 and 17,000 Year 6 pupils take the test – and this number is far greater than the number of places available.

If you want your child to take the Kent Test, you’ll need to register by the beginning of July for the test that is taken in September. Results from the Kent Test are usually released during the second week in October.

The Medway 11 Plus Tests

Medway Tests are specifically written for Medway Council, with the aim of selecting the top 23% of applicants for grammar school places. In 2017, Medway Council moved away from using GL Assessment, and now exam papers are produced by CEM.

Content of the Tests and Format

There are three sections to the Medway Test:

• Verbal Reasoning – 50 minutes, all multiple choice
• Mathematics – 50 minutes, all multiple choice
• Writing – 40 minutes (with an extra 10 minutes for planning)

You need to bear in mind that the maths and writing sections of the test are double weighted – meaning they’re twice as important as the verbal reasoning questions.

Verbal Reasoning Paper

Although the verbal reasoning part of the Medway Test isn’t weighted as heavily as the other parts of the test, verbal reasoning is more difficult to prepare for. Practice papers can help with this, but it’s also important to remember that building vocabulary is vital for verbal reasoning success, particularly in the Medway test.

In the Medway Test, verbal reasoning includes comprehension (in the Kent Test, comprehension is part of the English paper). An example of the kinds of questions your child may be asked to answer is below.

The maths section of the Medway Test is split into sections that are timed – although the exact timings and number of questions can vary from year to year. An example of the types of questions your child may be asked to answer is below:

For multiple choice questions, there’s an answer sheet that looks similar to this:

It’s a good idea to ensure that your child is familiar with this kind of answer sheet to avoid marking answers in the wrong boxes when sitting the test.

Extended Writing

The writing task that is part of the Medway Test requires your child to choose a topic and write for 40 minutes. For example, there may be choices similar to these:

• Write a story about finding a hidden tunnel beneath your house
• Write a letter to a friend, with the aim of persuading them to join you on a special trip
• Write an essay with the title: ‘Do children get too much screen time?’

Which Schools are Covered by the Medway Test

There are six selective grammar schools and one bilateral grammar school that use the Medway Test, with just over 1,000 places available for students. It’s hugely competitive.

Process for the Medway Test

Applications for the Medway Test can be made during the month of June, and tests are usually taken, at your child’s primary school, in mid-September. Results are available from the second week in October. If your child passes the test, you can then apply to be considered for a grammar school place.

Until recently, it was possible to sit the Medway Test late if, for example, you had recently relocated to Medway. Now, however, late applicants are not able to be considered for Medway grammar school places. If you miss the application cut-off date (the middle of July, in exceptional circumstances), then your child cannot sit the test or be considered for a selective place.

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Medway Test: 11+

Sitting the medway test (11+).

This content is for the September 2023 test (September 2024 Year 7 admission).

Information about the September 2024 test (September 2025 Year 7 admission) will be published here by 15 May 2024.

In the meantime, see our  secondary admissions scheme  for information about the 2024 test.

When and where your child will sit the test

You will be sent your Medway Test invitation by the end of August 2023.

If you registered online your invitation is sent by email only.

If you registered in any other way, you will receive your invitation by post.

Check your junk or spam folders if you have not received your invite. If you have not received your invitation by the end of August 2023, please email [email protected] .

Your invitation will tell you where and when your child is due to sit the test. Your child must only attend the test at their allocated venue and on their allocated day.

Multiple birth (twins, triplets etc) children will sit their test on the same day, regardless if one or more sibling has been granted special arrangements. 

Important test day information

All parents and carers must read the test day information sheet before the test.

Registration form

If your child is sitting the test at a test centre and not in their current primary school, you must also complete a pupil registration form and take it with you on test day.

How to get to your test centre

If your child is sitting the test at a test centre, they would have been allocated a test centre. You can find all the addresses and entrances of the test centres in the table below.

If your child requires access or mobility requirements to get around the test venue, email School Services before the test on [email protected] .

Withdrawing your child from the test

If you wish to withdraw your child from the test please email your request to [email protected] . Once you withdraw your child from the test you cannot change your mind and re-register them after the closing date. 

Exam stress

If your child attends a Medway school and is experiencing exam stress, please contact the school for the Medway Emotional Support Team or the MCH Emotional Wellbeing Service. 

Other support is available from:

• Young minds (managing exam stress)
• Young minds (parental advice)

Rules for when your child is attending the Medway Test

When your child attends the Medway Test they must follow the rules below.

Arrive on time

Late arrivals will not be let into the test venue once registration has closed, as there cannot be any interruptions or distractions for other children.

The test cannot be sat at a later date so the arranged test dates are your child’s only chance to sit the test.

Tell us if your child is ill on the day of the test

If your child is ill on the day they are due to sit the Medway Test, you must email [email protected] .

If your child was due to sit the test in their own school, you should also report them as ill to the school as per the school’s policy.

Wear school uniform

All children sitting the Medway Test must wear their school uniform (not including children who are electively home educated).

Not bring valuable property with them

Your child should not have any valuable objects with them for the Medway Test. We are not responsible for the loss or damage of a child’s property before, during or after the test.

Items you cannot bring

Banned items are listed on the parent information sheet that we will send with your invitation by the end of August. If these items are found with your child they will be confiscated, not returned on the day and your child will be disqualified from the Medway Test.

If your child realises they have a banned item, they must give it to an invigilator before they enter the test room.

Mobile phones are not allowed in the test room. They must be switched off during the test and kept outside the test room.

Recording answers

If your child answers a previous set question for the writing test, they will receive 0 marks for that test.

Answer sheets are used in the mathematics & non-verbal skills and verbal skills test papers. Only answer sheets are marked by the optical reader. Answers in any question booklet are not marked.

If your child records their answer somewhere other than where they are instructed, for example, in the question booklet or in the wrong place on the answer sheet, it will not be added to the correct place. Instructions are given on what your child should do if they make a mistake.

Extra paper is not provided for mathematics & non-verbal skills and verbal skills tests. Workings out should be done in the question booklet.

There are enough pages in the writing booklet for the writing test. No extra paper is needed or given to children.

Permitted items

Your child can bring

• pens (for writing test only)
• HB grade pencils
• an eraser/rubber (only for maths and verbal reasoning tests)
• a pencil sharpener.

Further information about what to bring will be sent with your invitation by the end of August.

The testing environment

Medway Council expects all children to follow good behaviour in the test environment. This is so all candidates have a calm and safe environment available. 

Distracting, disruptive, aid or assisting behaviour during the test day at the test venue will not be allowed.

A child will only be given one warning for any behaviour that is distracting or disruptive during the test day. 

If the behaviour continues after their warning, the invigilation team has the authority to remove children from the test day. If this behaviour occurs, it is likely the child will be asked to leave. 

If this happens, you'll be contacted and your child will not be allowed to complete the test. 

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Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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Next section of Moscow metro Line 11 opens

By Railway Gazette International 2018-02-26T14:55:28+00:00

RUSSIA: Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin opened a 10·5 km metro line on February 26. The line from Delovoy Tsentr to Petrovsky Park with five stations will initially be operated as part of Line 11.

Construction started in November 2011. Later this year the line is due to be extended from Petrovsky Park to Nizhnyaya Maslovka. The northeastern section of Line 11 is scheduled to open next year, with completion of the route in 2023.

When completed, Line 11 would form a 69 km ring. This would incorporate the existing 3·3 km line between Kashirskaya and Kakhovskaya. The Delovoy Tsentr – Khoroshyovskaya section would then be operated as a branch, before becoming part of the future of Line 13 in 2025.

• Urban transport projects

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Moscow metro reaches Khovrino

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Moscow metro Line 8 extension opens

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