Kent Test (11+)
Parents and carers who are considering a Year 7 place at a Kent grammar school will need to register their child to take the Kent Test, sometimes referred to as the 11+. The Kent Test is designed to assess whether grammar school is a suitable option for a child. [kent.gov.uk]
If your child starts Year 5 in September 2026, the Kent Test will take place at the beginning of Year 6, in September 2027, for entry to secondary school in September 2028.
Kent County Council has not yet published the registration and test dates for the September 2027 test. We will update this page when these are available. Parents should also check the official Kent County Council website for the latest information.
Visit the Kent County Council Kent Test website
Please note: Being assessed as suitable for grammar school through the Kent Test does not guarantee a place at a Kent grammar school. Individual grammar schools may be oversubscribed and apply their published admission criteria when allocating places.
What does the Kent Test involve?
The Kent Test currently consists of multiple-choice tests with a separate answer sheet, which is marked by computer.
English and Maths
The English and Maths test takes approximately one hour.
It currently consists of:
- a 5-minute practice exercise followed by a 25-minute English test
- a 5-minute practice exercise followed by a 25-minute Maths test
- English comprehension and other questions designed to assess literacy skills.
Reasoning
The Reasoning test also takes approximately one hour and assesses verbal, non-verbal and spatial reasoning skills.
The current familiarisation materials explain that the Reasoning test considers how well children can identify and apply rules and relationships involving words, numbers, shapes and patterns.
Writing Exercise
There is also a 40-minute writing exercise, which includes 10 minutes of planning time.
The writing exercise is not normally marked as part of the test score. However, it may be considered by a local Headteacher Panel as part of the Headteacher Assessment stage of the process.
Helping your child become familiar with the test
has produced a familiarisation booklet to help children understand the format of the Kent Test and the types of questions they may encounter. It includes information about English, Maths and Reasoning as well as practice questions and guidance on completing the separate answer sheet.
Download the official Kent Test Familiarisation Booklet
Important
The information above is based on the current Kent Test arrangements published by Kent County Council. Arrangements can change from year to year, so families considering the September 2027 Kent Test for September 2028 secondary admission should check the Kent County Council website when registration information for that cohort is published.