Local authority selection test
Kent Test 11+ guide
September 2027 entryEvidence reviewed 24 October 2026The schools, administrator, assessment stages and dates for this entrance route, with each school's admissions evidence status shown separately.
- Schools in directory
- 33
At a glance
- Route type
- Local authority selection test
- Administrator
- Kent County Council
- Assessment provider
- GL Assessment
- Delivery
- Paper-based multiple-choice tests with separate answer sheets, followed by an unmarked writing exercise
Kent application dates: check both published sources
Kent's current 2027-entry application page and determined scheme give 2 November 2026. The national School Admissions Code lists 31 October as the secondary closing date and does not state a weekend extension for it. Submit by 31 October if you can. If you need to use Kent's later published date, submit promptly and ask Kent to confirm how your application will be treated. Families outside Kent apply through their home council.
Provider change for September 2028 entry
For September 2028 entry, Kent County Council has appointed Quest Assessments for the test sat in 2027. The council says its structure, timing and purpose will stay the same and will publish familiarisation material before that test. The 2026 test and September 2027 entry are unaffected.
Kent County Council's provider announcementAlready have a 2026 test result?
A test result is one part of a school's admissions rules, not an offer of a place. Check each school's current policy and submit your preferences through your home council by its deadline.
Kent Test results 2026: what to do nextSubjects and stages
- English
- Mathematics
- Verbal reasoning
- Non-verbal reasoning
- Spatial reasoning
- Writing
1. English and mathematics paper
Approximately one hour, with separate English and mathematics sections. Each section includes about five minutes of practice followed by about 25 minutes of test questions.
2. Reasoning paper
Approximately one hour including practice. It covers verbal reasoning and individually timed non-verbal and spatial-reasoning sections.
3. Writing exercise
A 40-minute writing exercise including 10 minutes of planning. It is not marked for the Kent Test score but can be considered by a headteacher assessment panel.
Registration and dates
Dates for September 2027 entry
| Date | When |
|---|---|
| Registration opens | When1 June 2026 |
| Registration deadline | When1 July 2026 |
| Test date for pupils who attend a Kent primary school | When10 September 2026 |
| Test date for pupils who do not attend a Kent primary school (weekend starts) | When12 September 2026 |
| Test date for pupils who do not attend a Kent primary school (weekend ends) | When13 September 2026 |
| Results | When15 October 2026 |
| Kent secondary-school application deadline | When2 November 2026 |
| National Offer Day | When1 March 2027 |
Scoring and eligibility
English, mathematics and reasoning results are age-standardised. Kent sets an aggregate threshold and minimum component scores for each test year. For September 2027 entry, the 2026 test required an aggregate of at least 345 with no component below 111. A grammar assessment does not guarantee a school place; each school applies its own admissions criteria when oversubscribed.
Schools in this directory using the route
| School | Selection type | Boys, girls or mixed intake | Admissions guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barton Court Grammar School | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeMixed Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Borden Grammar School | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeBoys for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeMixed Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Chatham Grammar | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeMixed Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Cranbrook School | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeMixed Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Dane Court Grammar School | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeMixed Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Dartford Grammar School | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeBoys for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Dartford Grammar School for Girls | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeGirls for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Dover Grammar School for Boys | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeBoys for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Dover Grammar School for Girls | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeGirls for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Gravesend Grammar School | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeBoys for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Highsted Grammar School | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeGirls for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Highworth Grammar School | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeGirls for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Invicta Grammar School | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeGirls for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Maidstone Grammar School | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeBoys for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Maidstone Grammar School for Girls | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeGirls for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Mayfield Grammar School, Gravesend | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeGirls for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Oakwood Park Grammar School | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeBoys for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeMixed Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeGirls for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeBoys for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Sir Roger Manwood's School | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeMixed Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| The Folkestone School for Girls | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeGirls for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| The Harvey Grammar School | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeBoys for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| The Judd School | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeBoys for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| The Norton Knatchbull School | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeBoys for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| The Skinners' School | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeBoys for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Tonbridge Grammar School | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeGirls for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeGirls for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeBoys for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Weald of Kent Grammar School | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeGirls for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Wilmington Grammar School for Boys | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeBoys for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Wilmington Grammar School for Girls | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeGirls for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
Relevant skills and exercises
- Build English comprehension skills
Draw one supported conclusion that is not directly stated.
- Try Comprehension X-Ray
Free interactive practice relevant to English comprehension.
- Build maths and numerical reasoning skills
Select and perform a short sequence of operations in context.
- Try Step Builder
Free interactive practice relevant to maths and numerical reasoning.
- Build verbal reasoning skills
Choose the option closest in meaning to a target word.
- Try Synonym Spectrum
Free interactive practice relevant to verbal reasoning.
- Build non-verbal and spatial reasoning skills
Combine row or column rules to select one missing figure.
- Try Matrix Machine
Free interactive practice relevant to non-verbal and spatial reasoning.
- Try a short GL-style timed mock
24 original questions across four subjects in 30 minutes. This is a short practice sample; check the local test format and timings separately.
Questions families ask
Who administers the Kent Test?
Kent County Council administers the Kent Test for September 2027 entry.
Which schools use the Kent Test?
33 schools use this route in the current catalog: Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, Dover Grammar School for Girls, Maidstone Grammar School, Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School, The Judd School, Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys, Dover Grammar School for Boys, Highsted Grammar School, Dartford Grammar School, Highworth Grammar School, Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School, Tonbridge Grammar School, Weald of Kent Grammar School, Sir Roger Manwood's School, Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Invicta Grammar School, Dane Court Grammar School, Oakwood Park Grammar School, Gravesend Grammar School, Wilmington Grammar School for Boys, Wilmington Grammar School for Girls, Chatham Grammar, Barton Court Grammar School, Cranbrook School, Borden Grammar School, Mayfield Grammar School, Gravesend, The Folkestone School for Girls, The Norton Knatchbull School, The Harvey Grammar School, The Skinners' School, and Dartford Grammar School for Girls.
What does the Kent Test assess?
The verified subjects are English, Mathematics, Verbal reasoning, Non-verbal reasoning, Spatial reasoning, and Writing.
Where do families register for the Kent Test?
Check the registration dates in this guide, then read the official registration page for the relevant entry year. The verified destination is https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-places/kent-test/register-for-the-kent-test.
How current is the information for Kent Test?
Smart Cub Learning reviewed 7 attached evidence sources by 2026-10-24. Unknown facts stay labelled and should be checked again before applying.
Official sources
- Kent County Council Co-ordinated Scheme for Secondary Admissions, Academic Year 2027/28 (determined)
Kent County Council. Accessed 24 October 2026. September 2027 entry.
- Kent Test familiarisation booklet
Kent County Council. Accessed 26 August 2026. September 2027 entry.
- Prepare for the Kent Test
Kent County Council. Accessed 26 August 2026. September 2027 entry.
- Register for the Kent Test for September 2027 entry
Kent County Council. Accessed 26 August 2026. September 2027 entry.
- Kent Test results guidance
Kent County Council. Accessed 26 August 2026. September 2027 entry.
- Kent Test results and 2026 qualifying threshold
Kent County Council. Accessed 20 October 2026. September 2027 entry.
- Chatham Grammar Determined Admissions Policy 2027
Chatham Grammar. Accessed 23 October 2026. September 2027 entry.
Explore the verified directory
- Schools near a town
Compare nearby state selective schools and their entrance routes.
- Applications and offers
Compare historic DfE school preferences and offers.
- Schools
Compare verified selective schools.
- Areas
Compare selective schools by area, with assessment routes shown only where verified.
- Tests and consortiums
See which schools share each assessment route.
Turn the shortlist into a preparation plan
Start with a free four-subject diagnostic, then focus practice on the skills that need attention.