Kent Test 2026: dates, results & pass mark explained

The Kent Test 2026 is the entrance exam for Kent’s 33 grammar schools. Candidates sit GL-format multiple-choice papers in English, maths and verbal reasoning. This guide focuses on the confirmed test and results dates, what the pass mark means, how borderline scores are decided, and what to do before results day. Registration for Year 7 entry in September 2027 has already closed — that content is retained at the foot of the page for the next cycle.

What the pass mark means

The Kent Test does not publish a single “pass mark” in advance for the current year. Instead, raw marks on each paper are converted into age-standardised scores on the GL scale. Those scores are then combined across the three papers (English, maths and verbal reasoning) to produce an aggregate score. Kent County Council and the grammar schools use that aggregate — and thresholds within it — to decide whether a child is assessed as suitable for grammar school.

What parents need to understand:

• Standardised scores adjust for age within the year group so younger children are not disadvantaged. A score around 100 is average for that age; higher scores sit further above average.
• The threshold is set after the cohort sits the test, so you cannot treat last year’s figure as a guaranteed target for 2026. Schools publish previous years’ admissions data; use that as context, not as a promise.
• Passing the Kent Test is eligibility, not a place. Even with a suitable assessment, oversubscribed schools still apply their own admissions criteria (looked-after children, siblings, distance, and so on).

If you are comparing formats, Kent is GL multiple choice — the same style practised on KidSmart — whereas Birmingham and Warwickshire use CEM. See GL vs CEM explained.

Borderline scores and the headteacher assessment route

Kent does not only use a binary pass/fail. Scores just below the main qualifying threshold can fall into a borderline band. Borderline children are not automatically excluded from grammar school consideration.

When a child is borderline, their primary school is asked for a detailed academic reference and supporting evidence. That information is reviewed with the test result — this is the headteacher / school assessment route that sits alongside the papers. Some borderline children are then reclassified as suitable for grammar school; others remain below the threshold.

• Suitable for grammar school — eligible to be considered at any of the 33 Kent grammar schools, subject to each school’s oversubscription rules.
• Borderline — primary school evidence is reviewed with the score before a final suitable / not suitable decision.
• Not suitable — below the borderline band for the automatic process; a formal appeal may still be possible after places are offered.

This borderline review is one of the clearest differences between Kent and counties such as Buckinghamshire, which does not use the same formal borderline pathway.

My child scored X — what happens now?

Results emails for the 2026 Kent Test go out on Thursday 15 October 2026 after 4pm. Use the decision letter together with the score breakdown (if provided) to decide your next step:

1. Suitable — list realistic Kent grammar schools on your local authority Common Application Form (CAF) by 31 October 2026. Rank schools in true preference order. Check last-offered distances and oversubscription criteria for each school.
2. Borderline — wait for the outcome of the school assessment review before freezing your CAF preferences. Keep non-selective preferences ready as a back-up.
3. Not suitable — focus on strong non-selective preferences on the CAF. If you believe there was a serious procedural issue or day-of disadvantage, read the appeals section below and gather evidence early — do not rely on mock scores alone.

National Offer Day for secondary places is 1 March 2027 for this admissions round. Until then, the practical work is CAF strategy, waiting lists where relevant, and (only if justified) preparing an appeal case.

What’s in the Kent Test

The Kent Test is produced by GL Assessment. One consortium registration covers all Kent grammar schools (registration for the September 2027 entry round is covered at the bottom of this page).

The papers cover three subjects:

• English — reading comprehension (literal understanding, inference, vocabulary in context, language analysis), usually based on a fiction or high-quality non-fiction passage.
• Mathematics — arithmetic, number, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, geometry, algebra and data handling, at a pace that rewards fluency.
• Verbal reasoning — word codes, letter sequences, analogies, hidden words, number sequences and related GL VR types.

Non-verbal reasoning is not tested in Kent. That differs from Buckinghamshire, which tests all four subjects. If you are also applying to Bucks, add NVR preparation from the start.

Children who attend a Kent primary school sit the test in school on Thursday 10 September 2026. Children at schools outside Kent, or educated at home, sit it at a test centre on Saturday 12 or Sunday 13 September 2026.

Out-of-county applicants

Kent grammar schools accept applications from children who live outside Kent — including Surrey, London, East Sussex and further afield. Out-of-county applicants sit the same Kent Test and are assessed against the same qualifying threshold.

For the 2026 test, out-of-county and educated-at-home candidates sit at a test centre on 12 or 13 September 2026 (centre details are emailed after registration). The harder step is usually allocation: distance from home to school is a common tiebreaker among qualifying children, so check each school’s published last-offered distances before relying on an out-of-county place.

Many south London families also consider Sutton consortium schools — see the London grammar schools guide.

Preparing for the Kent Test

Because Kent is GL Assessment — English, maths and verbal reasoning, no NVR — preparation can stay tightly focused:

• 11+ English — comprehension and vocabulary
• 11+ Maths — fluency at one question per minute
• 11+ Verbal Reasoning — all 21 GL question types
• Preparation strategy — phased plan through to mocks

In the final weeks before 10 September 2026, prioritise timed GL-style papers, systematic error review, and sleep — not new topics. After the test, shift attention to CAF preferences and results planning rather than more paper drilling.

Kent grammar schools by area

Use the filters below to browse schools by area or type. Always confirm admissions policies on each school’s website — oversubscription criteria and last-offered distances change year to year.

How Kent allocates grammar school places

A suitable Kent Test assessment opens the door; it does not guarantee a place. When more children qualify than places available, each grammar school applies its own oversubscription criteria. Common priorities include looked-after children, children with an EHCP naming the school, siblings, then distance from home to school.

Download recent admissions data for each target school and check the last distance at which a place was offered. That figure matters as much as the test score for many families.

Kent Test vs other 11+ exams

Trafford also omits NVR but uses CEM — see the Trafford 11+ guide.

Can I appeal a Kent Test result?

Yes. If your child receives a “not suitable” assessment and you believe that does not reflect their ability — or that something went wrong in the process — you can appeal to an independent panel after secondary school places are offered. Appeals succeed on specific grounds: procedural error, day-of disadvantage that was not accounted for, or strong primary-school evidence that ability significantly exceeds the test outcome. A high mock score alone is not enough.

Request the score breakdown and any written reasoning before you submit. Keep CAF preferences for non-selective schools in place while any appeal runs.

Registration for Year 7 entry 2027 (and the next cycle)

Registration for children starting secondary school in September 2027 opened on Monday 1 June 2026 and closed at midnight on Wednesday 1 July 2026 at kent.gov.uk/kenttest. That window has closed for this cycle — late registration is not available.

Registration for the following cycle (secondary entry September 2028 / Kent Test 2027) will be published on kent.gov.uk. Do not rely on guessed dates; check the council page when the next leaflet is released. For the wider national calendar, see the 11+ timeline and registration guide.