Kent Test 2026

[11plus2026]

Let’s discuss the Kent Test 2026, anything from Headteacher’s/parents’ appeal to standardised and raw scores to info on various grammars and catchments, logistics etc.

Remember you can reply to the email you receive on results day to ask for your child’s raw scores.

*bear in mind there may still be others taking the same papers right up until the end of the academic year (eg those that move into Kent at a later date) so no discussions on the actual questions themselves would be appreciated.

Good luck to all!

Historical-11-Information-2026-Previous-Cut-Off-Scores-Guide-Only.393847612.pdf https://share.google/RD53RJneBthNyDET8

Here is Judd historical results. This year alot more children scored above 400

No one will know unfortunately until March. But the previous years’ cut offs are easy to find on the website. Last year it was initially 389 I think, came down to about 385 in the end? And there are lots of high marks this year. But maybe you’ll be lucky.

There's a lot more high scores at the upper end this year

Anyone know the reason for the high scores this year? More children from prep schools taking the test?

How many getting over 400 completed the test in the Saturday?

My theory is that it is a bit of a perfect storm.

1. I think that the test was actually fairer this year with the use of nonfiction text. IMO the comprehension exercise has historically been a socioeconomic discriminator because of the use of more classic style literature. This mens that for this year's test the top end of the scoring was an extreme accuracy challenge instead of an obscure knowledge challenge.
2. The surge in new developments because of the help to buy scheme, brought a lot of professional families from London whose children are now coming of age and pushing up the standard. (If you believe the anecdote about the apple and its tree)

405 score for Dartford girls grammar, if out of catchment would that meet the cut off?

Amazing how many people are posting scores over 400 on here and don't realise no one knows individual score cut offs until March... Interesting indeed!

Well done to all. Always a fraught time and hard to imagine how normal it will all feel in a few months. If your kids didn't pass do remember grammar isn't the only option and sometimes boys/girls drop out and spaces free up in Y9, when your child has another chance to show them how they are achieving. Worth bearing in mind.

My daughter was over the threshold comfortably but scored 110 in Maths. It’s a bitter pill to swallow.

She attends a Bexley primary and the headteacher refuses to say if an appeal was put in or not. Has anyone experienced this? I would like to know one way or another.

We are a low income family (PP) and she practiced by herself, 1 more point would have guaranteed her a place against the admissions criteria for our nearest grammar school (we are on the border). Such a lot to process 🥺

1181 (1081 OOC plus 100 independent) vs approx 500 last year for OOC and independent

Anyone's DD fail the Kent test but pass the Weald of Kent test?

I would like to know this too. Would be interesting to see how many girls in total failed Kent but passed Weald.

the English paper wasn’t non-fiction. My DC was able to relay the story enough that I not only found the story - recommended Yr3-6 material but the the exact pages. The story was based on a Himalayan tale.

I think the test must have been easier for a lot of kids this year. My daughter got quite a high score and she scored 100 % on the maths. She’s not been going to a private school and none of her mocks indicated that she would score that high.

Especially as by all accounts the Weald test was pretty challenging!

I wonder if the early timeline of the Kent test and the fact it is free to take means some out of county parents put their children down for it to use as a mock or prep for other schools. My friend met a few people at one of the Saturday test centres who seemed to be saying they weren’t hugely interested in Kent schools and were treating the test like a roll of the dice or just to see how they did ahead of other 11+ exams closer to home. I obviously don’t agree with this huge waste of resources and added unfairness for people who do actually want to attend a Kent school. But thought it might be worth mentioning in all the stress about OOC numbers etc.

A friend of my daughter is in same situation. 110 in Maths and above threshold overall. The primary school did refer her for the headteacher's appeal and it was successful.

You still have the opportunity to appeal (I think it's in March). You cannot appeal the Kent Test result itself but you can appeal the grammar school refusal to give a space to your child. To do so, make sure you put the grammar school of your choice as an option on the application form for secondary school admissions. Your grammar school choice will initially be rejected, but you will have the opportunity to appeal that decision.

For the appeal, you may explain that your child did not get any tuition. Another friend of mine got a successful appeal by explaining that her child did not have any tuition, by getting strong reference from teacher/head teacher and by showing strong practice SAT results that were done in class in Year 6. Her appeal may have contained other elements, I do not know.

I hope this helps!

I stand corrected... I didn't want to press dd for the details at the time as she still had medway test still to go. The way she described the questions it didn't sound like a novel. But what you say makes sense.

But I'm really curious now, so I think I'll ask dd about in the morning. I know we can't share here as some are still due to sit the test (and I think it'll be the same?). DD passed so the stress is (mostly) off and I think I'll be able to get more out o her now :)

Sadly some schools don't do appeals as it is a lot of work for the class teacher.
My son's school does do them and are nearly always successful. My son just missed on English and passed with the appeal.

My DD comfortably passed Kent test but was a few marks off passing the Weald test. I know a few who also had similar results.

I don’t know anyone the other way round. Yet.

It can’t be the same test, surely?! That doesn’t seem fair. Especially considering you get the local kids doing the test 2/3 days before the out of town ones. That would never be allowed for GCSE’s or A-levels.

is it worth appealing with this score? Does anyone know how low did Tunbridge Wells Grammar for boys went last year on their offers?
total score of 334
Maths = 109
English = 105
Reasoning = 120

TWGSB is just a pass and then priority inner area, parishes then distance.
Gets out to Orpington by the end of summer term.

The HT appeal does seem to make a difference. Our Head will disclose appeals undertaken for Bexley but not for Kent. Frustrating.

Are the cut-off marks for OOC going up for DGS / Judd? My DS scored 403 and we're OOC. I presume that with a higher selective score in KCC's history then the OOC cut-off will also go up?