Maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning
Competition
Selective
Prism’s suggested target
78% in practice (our estimate, not a school figure)
About the Kent Test
Taken in September of Year 6 for Kent grammar schools. Papers cover English, maths and reasoning (verbal and non-verbal), plus an unmarked writing task used in appeals.
Stage
Paper
Questions
Time
Kent Test
English & Maths
50
60 minutes
Kent Test
Reasoning
56
60 minutes
Paper formats are indicative and change from year to year. Always check the current arrangements with the school or local authority.
How to prepare
The Kent Test covers maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Most families start steady preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5, building accuracy first and speed later, then sit timed papers through the summer before the test, which usually takes place in September.
For maths, secure the Key Stage 2 arithmetic, fractions, ratio and problem solving before moving to the multi-step questions that separate the strongest candidates.
For English, read widely every day and practise comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar; selective tests reward precise word knowledge.
Verbal reasoning is a set of learnable question types, such as letter codes, hidden words and word analogies. Learning each type, then practising it against the clock, lifts scores quickly.
Non-verbal reasoning is about spotting patterns in shapes: rotations, reflections, sequences and matrices. Short, regular sessions work better than long ones.
This test includes a piece of writing, so practise planning and writing a short story or description in a set time.
Practice questions in the style of the test
Written by Prism in the style of the test, not taken from any school’s papers.
Question 1Aim for about 60 seconds
Kiran's old printer prints 0.576 pages a minute on average. A new printer is 1,000 times faster. How many pages a minute does the new printer print?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, 576
How to work it out
Multiplying by 1,000 moves every digit 3 places to the left: 0.576 × 1,000 = 576.
Why the other options are wrong
B (0.00058): This divides by 1,000; faster means more pages, so multiply.
C (1000.576): This adds 1,000 instead of multiplying.
D (57.6): The digits moved one place too few.
E (5,760): The digits moved one place too many.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
What does the word “vigilant” mean?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, watching carefully for danger
How to work it out
“Vigilant” (adjective) means watching carefully for danger.
For example: Stay vigilant near the cliff edge.
Question 3Aim for about 35 seconds
Which word goes best with these three?
flute, cello, oboe
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, drum
How to work it out
flute, cello, oboe are all instruments, and so is drum.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds
Which figure is the odd one out?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C
How to work it out
In each figure the number of dots matches the number of sides of the shape, except the odd one out.
What entrance test does Barton Court Grammar School use?
Barton Court Grammar School uses the Kent Test, which tests maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning and includes a piece of writing. Check the school’s admissions page for the current arrangements.
What score does my child need for Barton Court Grammar School?
Schools do not publish pass marks. As a guide, Prism suggests a child aims to score around 78% consistently in practice for a selective school. This is Prism’s own estimate, not a figure from the school, and no score guarantees a place.
When should my child start preparing for Barton Court Grammar School?
Most families start in Year 4 or early Year 5, then practise timed papers during the summer before the test, which usually takes place in September.
Preparing for Barton Court Grammar School?
Prism starts with a free assessment across maths, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, then builds a weekly plan for your target schools. Parents follow progress free.