What is in the Kent Test?
Two multiple-choice papers: an English and maths paper of 1 hour, and a reasoning paper of about 1 hour with verbal and non-verbal sections. There is also a 40-minute writing exercise, which is not marked but may be used by a headteacher panel. The tests are devised for Kent County Council by GL Assessment.
The Kent Test papers
- The Kent Test papers are multiple-choice, with a separate answer sheet, and are marked by a computer.
- The first test is an English and maths paper lasting 1 hour. Each section has a 5-minute practice exercise followed by a 25-minute test. The English section has a comprehension exercise and some further questions that test literacy skills.
- The second test is a reasoning paper of about 1 hour, including the practice sections. It has a verbal reasoning section and a non-verbal reasoning section of roughly the same length; the non-verbal reasoning is split into short sections that are timed one by one.
- There is also a writing exercise of 40 minutes, including 10 minutes of planning time. It is not marked, but a local headteacher panel may use it at the headteacher assessment stage.
- Kent County Council publishes a free Kent Test familiarisation paper on its "Prepare for the Kent Test" page.
What the papers test
- The tests are devised for Kent County Council by GL Assessment, an outside body.
- The reasoning paper uses words or numbers to test verbal reasoning, and patterns and sequences to test non-verbal and spatial skills.
- The English section has a comprehension exercise and separate questions on literacy skills such as spelling, grammar and punctuation. The maths section reflects the National Curriculum for Key Stage 2.
- Kent County Council’s familiarisation paper says the maths questions cover topics taught in most schools up to the start of Year 6, with a small number that may be harder than a child is used to.
- The familiarisation paper also says its practice questions will not necessarily be the same types as in the real test, and that the order of the sections may vary.
- Kent County Council gives the time allowed for each paper. We could not find the number of questions in each paper published by the council.
Sources: Prepare for the Kent Test · Co-ordinated scheme for secondary admissions 2027-28 · Admission to secondary school in Kent 2027 (guide for parents) · Kent Test familiarisation paper
Checked on 5 October 2026. If you spot something out of date, please tell us.
