Kent Test
English & maths; verbal & non-verbal reasoning; writing task (used only at headteacher panel)
Last checked 12 October 2026 · Always confirm details with the school
Key dates
Sept 2028 (tests in 2027)
Expected (Projected from last year's dates. Not yet announced by the school.)- Registration closes
- Expected around 1 Jul 2027
- Registration opens
- Expected around 1 Jun 2027
- Test
- Expected around 10 Sep 2027 (Kent primaries) · 12–13 Sep (others)
- Results
- Expected around 15 Oct 2027
Based on the 2026 pattern. Dates are usually announced Jan–Apr 2027.Source: Onze+ projection from last year's dates · Verified 12 October 2026
Sept 2027 (tests in 2026)
Taken place- Registration closes
- 1 Jul 2026Registration closed
- Registration opens
- 1 Jun 2026
- Test
- 10 Sep 2026 (Kent primaries) · 12–13 Sep (others)
- Results
- 15 Oct 2026
Source: unofficial (These dates come from an unofficial source, not the school or test provider. Confirm them with the school.) · Verified 12 October 2026
Applications for all grammar schools go through your home council by 31 October. Offers arrive on 1 March.
Paper format
| Section | Questions | Minutes | Answer format |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | Not stated | 25 | Multiple choice |
| maths | 25 (+5 practice each) |
| Section | Questions | Minutes | Answer format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal reasoning | Not stated | 20 (+10 practice) | Multiple choice |
| non-verbal reasoning (subtests) | 4–5 per subtest | ||
| spatial reasoning (subtests) | 4–5 per subtest |
Sample paper
Schools using this test (32)
- Barton Court Grammar SchoolCanterbury · Mixed
- Borden Grammar SchoolSittingbourne · Boys
- Chatham and Clarendon Grammar SchoolRamsgate · Mixed
- Cranbrook SchoolCranbrook · Mixed
- Dane Court Grammar SchoolBroadstairs · Mixed
- Dartford Grammar SchoolDartford · Boys
- Dartford Grammar School for GirlsDartford · Girls
- Dover Grammar School for BoysDover · Boys
- Dover Grammar School for GirlsDover · Girls
- Folkestone School for GirlsFolkestone · Girls
- Gravesend Grammar SchoolGravesend · Boys
- Mayfield Grammar SchoolGravesend · Girls
- Harvey Grammar SchoolFolkestone · Boys
- Highsted Grammar SchoolSittingbourne · Girls
- Highworth Grammar School for GirlsAshford · Girls
- Invicta Grammar SchoolMaidstone · Girls
- The Judd SchoolTonbridge · Boys
- Maidstone Grammar SchoolMaidstone · Boys
- Maidstone Grammar School for GirlsMaidstone · Girls
- The Norton Knatchbull SchoolAshford · Boys
- Oakwood Park Grammar SchoolMaidstone · Boys
- Queen Elizabeth's Grammar SchoolFaversham · Mixed
- Simon Langton Grammar School for BoysCanterbury · Boys
- Simon Langton Grammar School for GirlsCanterbury · Girls
- Sir Roger Manwood's SchoolSandwich · Mixed
- The Skinners' SchoolTunbridge Wells · Boys
- Tonbridge Grammar SchoolTonbridge · Girls
- Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar SchoolTunbridge Wells · Girls
- Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for BoysTunbridge Wells · Boys
- Weald of Kent Grammar SchoolTonbridge · Girls
- Wilmington Grammar School for BoysWilmington · Boys
- Wilmington Grammar School for GirlsWilmington · Girls
Alternative routes
Some of these schools also run their own test. Families choose one route:
- Kent – Dover Test (alternative route) (Dover Grammar School for Boys, Dover Grammar School for Girls)
- Kent – Shepway Test (alternative route) (Folkestone School for Girls, Harvey Grammar School)
Notes
Dover and Folkestone/Harvey also offer their own alternative tests (rows below).
Frequently asked questions
What is in the Kent Test?
The Kent Test is set by GL Assessment. English & maths; verbal & non-verbal reasoning; writing task (used only at headteacher panel).
How long is the Kent Test?
Timings in minutes. English & Maths test: English 25, maths 25 (+5 practice each); Reasoning test: Verbal reasoning 20 (+10 practice), non-verbal reasoning (subtests) 4–5 per subtest, spatial reasoning (subtests) 4–5 per subtest.
When is the registration deadline for the Kent Test?
For Sept 2028 (tests in 2027), registration closes: Expected around 1 Jul 2027. Test: Expected around 10 Sep 2027 (Kent primaries) · 12–13 Sep (others). Status: Expected (projected from last year's dates, not yet announced by the school). Applications for all grammar schools go through your home council by 31 October. Offers arrive on 1 March.
Which schools use the Kent Test?
Barton Court Grammar School (Canterbury), Borden Grammar School (Sittingbourne), Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School (Ramsgate), Cranbrook School (Cranbrook), Dane Court Grammar School (Broadstairs), Dartford Grammar School (Dartford), Dartford Grammar School for Girls (Dartford), Dover Grammar School for Boys (Dover), Dover Grammar School for Girls (Dover), Folkestone School for Girls (Folkestone), Gravesend Grammar School (Gravesend), Mayfield Grammar School (Gravesend), Harvey Grammar School (Folkestone), Highsted Grammar School (Sittingbourne), Highworth Grammar School for Girls (Ashford), Invicta Grammar School (Maidstone), The Judd School (Tonbridge), Maidstone Grammar School (Maidstone), Maidstone Grammar School for Girls (Maidstone), The Norton Knatchbull School (Ashford), Oakwood Park Grammar School (Maidstone), Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School (Faversham), Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys (Canterbury), Simon Langton Grammar School for Girls (Canterbury), Sir Roger Manwood's School (Sandwich), The Skinners' School (Tunbridge Wells), Tonbridge Grammar School (Tonbridge), Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School (Tunbridge Wells), Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys (Tunbridge Wells), Weald of Kent Grammar School (Tonbridge), Wilmington Grammar School for Boys (Wilmington), Wilmington Grammar School for Girls (Wilmington).