Kent Test 11 Plus
Key Info
11 Plus Exam Format
Find Schools
How to Apply
What Is the Kent Test?
The Kent Test is the 11 Plus exam used by all grammar schools in the Kent County Council area. It is set by GL Assessment and is designed to identify children working within the top 25% of their year group. The test plays a key role in the grammar school admissions process in Kent.
The assessment includes two multiple-choice papers covering English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. There is also a separate creative writing task, which may be reviewed in borderline or appeal cases.
Each year, over 16,000 pupils take the Kent Test, competing for just over 5,000 available grammar school places. Unlike some regions, children only need to take the Kent Test once, and the results can be used for any grammar school in the county. For children in Kent, the test is usually taken at their primary school in September. Applicants from outside the county attend a test centre on a separate weekend.
Kent Test Key Information
Applies To:
32 grammar schools across Kent (Kent Grammar Schools Consortium)
Assessment Format:
GL Assessment – English, maths, reasoning and a creative writing task
Eligibility:
No formal criteria to sit the test
Places Available:
5,000+ grammar school places each year
Applications:
16,000+ children take the test annually
The Kent Test Exam Format
The Kent Selection Test includes two one-hour multiple choice papers and a separate creative writing task. These are designed to assess academic performance and problem-solving ability.
Paper 1: English & Maths (GL Assessment)
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English:
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5-minute practice, followed by 25-minute test
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Covers reading comprehension, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary and literacy
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Maths:
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5-minute practice, followed by 25-minute test
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Based on Year 5 and early Year 6 curriculum, including problem-solving questions
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Paper 2: Reasoning (GL Assessment)
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Verbal Reasoning:
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10-minute practice + 20-minute test
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Includes codes, sequences, logic and word patterns
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Non-Verbal & Spatial Reasoning:
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Includes guided practice and short timed sections (4–5 minutes each)
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Focuses on shapes, sequences, spatial awareness and patterns
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Creative Writing Task (GL Assessment)
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Duration: 40 minutes (10 minutes for planning, 30 minutes for writing)
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This task is not marked as part of the final score but may be reviewed in borderline cases. It assesses grammar, imagination and written expression.
Kent Consortium Exam Papers
Round 1 - GL Assessment Practice Papers
Maths
Non-Verbal Reasoning and Maths Papers
English
Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Kent Test Pass Mark
The Kent 11 Plus Test is standardised to allow fair comparison between pupils of different ages. Each child receives:
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A standardised English score
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A standardised maths score
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A standardised reasoning score
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An overall total (aggregate) score
While the pass mark can vary each year, a typical threshold may look like this:
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Aggregate score to pass: Around 332
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Maximum score: 423
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Minimum required per paper: 106
To be deemed selective, children must meet both the overall pass mark and minimum score in each subject. Scoring well in just one area is not enough.
Which Schools Use the Kent Test?
32 grammar schools across Kent that are part of the Kent Grammar Schools Consortium use the Kent Test
Kent Grammar Schools Consortium
Admissions Criteria for the Kent Test
Who Can Sit the Kent Test?
There are no specific academic or residency requirements to take the Kent Test. However, it is intended for children who are:
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Aiming to apply to grammar schools in Kent
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In Year 5, planning to start Year 7 in September 2026
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Performing at or above expected academic standards
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Comfortable with additional preparation and timed tests
Individual School Admissions
Once your child passes the Kent Test, each grammar school sets its own admissions policy. These often include factors such as:
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Distance from the school
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Pupil premium eligibility
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Highest scores in the Kent Test
Check the admissions policy for each school you’re interested in for full details.
Key Dates for Entry
| Description | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration opens Registration opens | Monday 2nd June 2025 |
| Registration closes Registration closes | Tuesday 1st July 2025 |
| Test date for Kent primary pupils Test date for Kent primary pupils | Thursday 11th September 2025 |
| Test date for out-of-county pupils Test date for out-of-county pupils | Weekend of 13th-14th September 2025 |
| Results day Results day | Thursday 16th October 2025 |
| Secondary school application deadline Secondary school application deadline | Friday 31st October 2025 |
| National offer day National offer day | Monday 2nd March 2026 |
How to Apply for the Kent 11 Plus Test
To register your child, complete an online application through Kent County Council:
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Register online: Visit the KCC website during the registration period and fill out the form with your child’s details and primary school.
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Test centre allocation (for non-Kent residents): If your child is not at a Kent primary school, they will be assigned a test centre to sit the exam.
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Keep confirmation: You’ll receive a confirmation email once registered – keep this in case of any issues.
Preparing for the Kent Test: Practical Tips
Effective preparation can boost your child’s confidence and performance. Here are some useful strategies:
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Start early: Ideally begin in Year 4 or early Year 5 to allow steady progress.
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Use practice materials: Work through past papers and timed practice tests to build familiarity and exam technique.
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Target weak areas: Identify and focus on subjects or question types your child finds difficult.
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Read regularly: Daily reading strengthens vocabulary and comprehension – essential skills for the test.
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Use online tools: Digital learning platforms can provide personalised practice and useful feedback.
Staying consistent, supportive and positive during preparation will help your child approach the test feeling ready and reassured.
Kent Test FAQs
Who can take the Kent Test?
Any child can sit the Kent Test, provided they are in Year 5 and aiming to start Year 7 in a Kent grammar school. There are no formal academic or residency requirements to register, but children should be working at or above age-related expectations and able to manage extra preparation.
How is the Kent Test structured?
The test includes two one-hour multiple choice papers: one covering English and maths, and the other covering verbal and non-verbal reasoning. There is also a 40-minute creative writing task, which may be considered in borderline or appeal cases but is not included in the final score.
How many children pass the Kent Test each year?
Over 16,000 children sit the Kent Test annually, competing for just over 5,000 grammar school places. The number of pupils who pass varies each year, based on standardised scores and the overall pass threshold.
What score does my child need to pass the Kent Test?
A typical pass mark might include a minimum score of 106 in each paper and a combined aggregate score of around 332. The exact scores required vary slightly each year and depend on the cohort’s performance.
Can my child’s Kent Test results be used for multiple schools?
Yes. Your child only needs to sit the Kent Test once, and their results can be used to apply to any of the 32 grammar schools in the Kent Grammar Schools Consortium.
When and where does the Kent Test take place?
Children attending a Kent primary school usually take the test in their school in September of Year 6. Those applying from outside Kent will be allocated a test centre and sit the exam on a separate weekend date.