Thousands of children are preparing to take the Medway Test next week which may determine which secondary school they attend.

A total of 2,565 youngsters youngsters will be taking the exam in school halls across the Towns on Tuesday and Wednesday.

A special sitting for those who live out of the area is being held on Saturday (Sept 20) at Hundred of Hoo Academy, Fort Pitt Grammar School in Chatham and Rochester Grammar School.

In Medway candidates are tested in maths, verbal reasoning and there is an extended writing exercise.

Unlike the Kent Test, English and non-verbal reasoning are not included in the format.

Cllr Mike O’Brien, who is in charge of children’s services, said: “We made an historical decision to amend the subjects when we became a unitary authority and took over the Kent Test in 1999."

Of the total taking it,1,922 are from Medway with the remainder from out of the area.

Cllr O’Brien added: “We can’t stop pupils taking the Medway Test and likewise we can’t stop Medway children taking the Kent Test. That does not mean they secure a place in the area where they take it.

“I wish all of our young children the very best of luck, including my two granddaughters.”

• Friday's Medway Messenger contained a sample paper of the 11-plus, similar to the Kent Test, but not the same as the paper sat by Medway pupils. Medway's exam does not contain non-verbal reasoning or the English questions. It has maths, verbal reasoning plus a writing exercise.