KENT TEST update

Kent Test for 2021 admissions

Registration opens on 1 June 2020 and closes at midnight on 1 July 2020 for children due to start secondary school in September 2021.

The published Kent Test dates for 2020 are:

• 10 September 2020 for children who go to school in Kent
• 12 September 2020 for children who go to school outside of Kent.

Please note, these dates may be subject to unavoidable change.

You can register your child for the Kent Test HERE. 

Parents will be told closer to the time if any adjustments need to be made to the assessment process because of the recent school closures for most children.

Any request for special testing arrangements for children with SEN or disabilities is to be made by their school before 10 July 2020. Please let the school know if you feel your child may need special testing arrangements before that date.

Your child must have been born between 1 September 2009 and 31 August 2010 to take the 2020 Kent Test. If your child is outside this age range but still needs to apply please email kentonlineadmissions@kent.gov.uk.

If you live outside Kent

Most years, many children who live outside Kent register to take the test but do not turn up on the day. Others take the test, but do not apply for Kent schools.

With restrictions in place to limit virus transmission it will be particularly difficult to arrange testing for thousands of visitors. Please only register if your child needs to take part in the Kent Test because you intend to apply.

The test is only valid for Kent grammar schools.
Medway Council has its own Medway Test and London Borough of Bexley has its own Bexley selection test.

Many children will find the test difficult.
Grammar schools in Kent provide for children in about the top 25% of the ability range. In addition, some of Kent’s grammar schools  - particularly those which are most likely to offer places to children from outside Kent - give priority to those with the highest scores. You may want to discuss your child’s academic achievement with their primary school before you decide whether to register them for the Kent Test.

Passing the Kent Test does not guarantee your child a place in a Kent grammar school.
Make sure you know where the Kent grammar schools are, and what the admissions criteria are for the school(s) you are interested in. You can search for Kent grammar schools with our Kent Schools search.

Consider how likely your child is to be offered a place there, and how they would get to that school if a place was offered. If you will need help with the cost of transport from home to school, check if your child is eligible for free school transport.

School admissions are co-ordinated between local authorities.
Even if your child qualifies for admission to a grammar school in more than one area, all your preferred schools must be listed on your home local authority’s application form, and you will not be offered more than one school place. Independent schools have their own admissions processes.

If your child is disabled or has special educational needs

If your child has a disability or special educational need that may affect the way they access the test, you need to discuss this with your current school's Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) as soon as possible. Any proposal for alternative access requirements must made by the school by 10 July 2020.

When you register your child for the Kent Test online, you will need to confirm if you have discussed a request for access arrangements with your child’s school.