When will my child sit the Kent 11+ Test?
The date of the Kent 11 plus test depends on the primary school your child attends.
For September 2027 entry, children who attend a Kent primary school are scheduled to sit the test on:
Thursday 10 September 2026.
Children who do not attend a Kent primary school are scheduled to sit the Kent Test on:
The weekend of 12–13 September 2026.
Can children living outside Kent take the Kent Test?
Yes.
Kent County Council states that children resident in England can be registered for the Kent Test, including eligible children living outside Kent.
However, parents should only register their child if they genuinely intend to apply for a place at a Kent grammar school.
This is particularly relevant to families in areas such as Bexley, Welling, Blackfen and other parts of South East London who may be considering Kent grammar schools alongside local selective schools.
Some Kent grammar schools, particularly those more likely to offer places to children from outside Kent, may give priority to children with the highest scores.
Does passing the Kent Test guarantee a grammar school place?
No.
This is one of the most important points for parents to understand.
Kent County Council explicitly states that being assessed as suitable for a grammar school through the Kent Test does not guarantee your child a place at a Kent grammar school.
How difficult is the Kent Test?
Kent County Council advises parents that many children will find the Kent Test difficult.
Kent grammar schools provide for children in approximately the top 25% of the ability range.
This is one reason parents should think carefully about whether the Kent Test is appropriate for their child before getting their child to sit the Kent 11+ exam.
Parents who are also entering their child in for the Bexley 11 plus test may wish to make a note of this; the Bexley 11 plus test assesses knowledge up to Year 5 level as per guidance from Quest Assessments. However, the Kent Test may assess knowledge beyond Year 5.
What does the Kent Test assess?
The Kent Test assesses skills across areas including:
- English
- Mathematics
- Verbal reasoning
- Non-verbal reasoning
What happens after the Kent Test?
For the September 2026/27 entry cohort, Kent Test results are scheduled to be released on:
Thursday 15 October 2026.
A result tells you whether your child has been assessed as suitable for grammar school consideration.
It does not mean that your child has automatically been allocated a grammar school place.
Parents then need to complete the secondary school application process and consider their preferred schools and the relevant admission criteria.
What if my child has special educational needs?
If your child has a disability or special educational needs that could affect their access to the Kent Test, it is important to discuss this with their primary school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) before registering.
Kent County Council states that the school needs to apply for any necessary access arrangements.
For the 2026 Kent Test, requests for special arrangements were required by 1 July 2026.
What if we live in Bexley, Welling or South East London?
The Kent Test can be relevant to families living in South East London, particularly those considering grammar schools in Kent.
However, parents should be careful not to confuse the different selective school tests.
Kent
Kent grammar schools use the Kent Test.
Bexley
Bexley has its own Bexley Selection Test for admission into a Bexley grammar school. Parents may wish to note Beth’s Grammar School may consider boys who have passed the Kent Test but failed the Bexley test.
Medway
Medway has its own Medway Test for admission in a Medway grammar school.
These are separate tests and separate registration processes.
If you are considering schools across more than one area, you need to research and register for the relevant tests separately.
This is particularly important for families around Bexley, Welling and Blackfen, where Kent grammar schools may be among the schools being considered.
Kent Test 2027: Key dates at a glance
For children seeking secondary school entry in September 2027:
Registration opens: 1 June 2026
Registration closes: 1 July 2026
Test – Kent primary school pupils: 10 September 2026
Test – pupils attending a non-Kent primary school: 12–13 September 2026
Results: 15 October 2026
Because dates can change between admission years, parents should always check the latest information published by Kent County Council.
Final thoughts for parents
At Grammar School Pathway we understand that the lead up to the exams can be stressful and worrying. What we would say is that if your child has been attending an 11 plus tuition centre, the chances are the topics that need to be covered have already been covered, your child has probably sat plenty of mock exams and by now, they are probably in a good position. It’s natural to feel worried and perhaps you feel your child should be doing more. As long as your child is working consistently throughout the summer holidays (possibly in a summer school) and doing routine mock exams, there isn’t much more you – or any parent- can do for the child.
The Kent Test is an important step for families considering a Kent grammar school, but it is only one part of the wider secondary school admissions process.
For families in Kent, Bexley, Welling, Blackfen and South East London, it is particularly important to understand which selective test applies to each school you are considering.
The most important things to remember are:
The Kent Test is for Kent grammar schools.
The Bexley Selection Test and Medway Test are separate tests.
Passing the Kent Test does not guarantee a grammar school place.
Parents should research individual grammar schools and their admission criteria before making their final choices.
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