What is the Kent Test?

The Kent Test (known across the UK as the 11-plus) is the entrance exam used by grammar schools in Kent to select students for Year 7 entry. It is administered by the exam board GL Assessment. Students must pass the Kent Test if they wish to attend a Kent grammar school.

The test takes place on Thursday September 5th 2024 for students attending Kent primary schools. Other students take the test on the weekend of September 7th 2024. The test assesses students' abilities in four key areas: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning.

Test Format

The Kent Test consists of:

• Paper 1 - 60 minutes total. Assesses English (25 minutes) and Maths (25 minutes). Multiple choice questions. Time will be given at the start of each section for practice. 

  • English - Reading comprehension, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary.

  • Mathematics - Numerical operations, mathematical techniques, problem solving.

• Paper 2 - 60 minutes total. Assesses Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal/Spatial Reasoning. Multiple choice questions. Time will be given at the start of each section for practice.

  • Verbal Reasoning - Analysing written information, deducing relationships between words, applying logic.

  • Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning - Identifying patterns, analogies, and sequences in visual information.

• Writing Exercise - 40 minutes total, including 10 minutes of planning. Assesses creative writing skills.

  • The writing exercise allows students to demonstrate creativity. While not formally scored, it may be used in borderline cases.