KENT — Thousands of Year 6 pupils across the county sat down today for the Kent Test, the exam that will decide who wins a place at one of Kent's grammar schools when they start Year 7 in September 2027.
Children attending Kent primary schools took the test at their own school on Thursday 10 September, while pupils educated outside the county, or at home, will sit the same papers at a designated test centre over the coming weekend, on Saturday 12 or Sunday 13 September.
Who Was Eligible
The test is open to children born between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016, all aiming to move up to secondary school in September 2027. Registration for this year's sitting closed on 1 July, meaning today's cohort has already been finalised — attention now turns to the exam itself and the wait for results.
Inside the Exam
The Kent Test comprises two multiple-choice papers alongside a short writing task. The first, covering English and maths, is split into two 30-minute sections, each preceded by practice questions to familiarise pupils with the format. The second, lasting around an hour, tests verbal and non-verbal reasoning, again with practice questions built in ahead of the timed sections.
Kent primary school pupils sit the papers in familiar surroundings at their own school, while out-of-county and home-educated candidates travel to a designated centre for the weekend sitting.
What Happens Next
Results are due to be released to parents on Thursday 15 October, giving families around six weeks between sitting the test and finding out how their child performed.
Passing the Kent Test does not, on its own, guarantee a grammar school place. It confirms that a child meets the standard required to be considered for admission, with results then weighed alongside each individual school's own admissions policy — including factors such as catchment area and distance — to determine who is ultimately offered a place.
Kent County Council is advising parents to check its website directly for the latest official guidance in the run-up to results day, rather than relying solely on third-party sources.
Families with questions about registration, results or admissions policy should consult Kent County Council's Kent Test pages directly.
Where does your child stand?
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