Your child does not need to take the Kent Test unless you (and your child) are interested in naming a grammar school as a preference. The school holds parental consultations with parents in early March to discuss suitability prior to registration.
Examples of the types of questions can be found in the familiarisation booklet on the Kent website. Additional familiarisation materials can also be downloaded from the GL Assessment website here.
The school will support children through the process but cannot coach any children for the test.
Registration for the Kent Test is in the summer of Year 5, between 1 June 2022 and 1 July 2022. You can register here.
On Kent Test Results day, you will receive an email or a letter saying that: your child has been assessed as suitable for a grammar school placement (G) or a high school placement (H). The school is only allowed to discuss results the following day.
If your child was not tested or was not assessed as suitable for a Kent grammar school, you can still apply for a Kent grammar school but your application will be turned down. You will then have the right to appeal to explain why you think grammar school is a suitable option for your child and this ‘Parental Appeal’ normally takes place in May.
Wednesday 1st June 2023 | Online Registration for Kent Test opens |
Monday 3rd July 2023 | Closing Date for Kent Test applications |
Friday 1st September 2023 | School applications open |
Thursday 7th September 2023 | Kent Test Date |
Wednesday 18th October 2023 | Assessment decision sent to parents |
Tuesday 31st October 2023 | Closing date for secondary school applications |
Friday 1st March 2024 | National Offer Day (4pm) |
Friday 15th March 2024 | Places must be accepted/refused |
Thursday 28th March 2024 | Deadline for appeals to be submitted. |
If you wish to receive a paper registration form, please contact the Secondary Admissions Team on 03000 41 21 21 or email kent.admissions@kent.gov.uk
You can also print off a copy of the form www.kent.gov.uk/secondaryadmissions to complete and return.
Children in Year 5 sit CAT tests each year. We use the results from these as an indication of how well a child may do in the Kent Tests. As soon as we have the results for your child we will send these home with an explanatory letter and will offer one evening after school when you may book an appointment to discuss these with your child’s class teacher. We will not be offering everyone an appointment, as some parents will have already made their decision about the Kent Test or do not want their child to sit the test. Further information about the date, time and appointment booking process will be sent to you shortly.