Maths, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning
Competition
Highly selective
Prism’s suggested target
85% 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
If 17 December is a Saturday, what day of the week is 9 February?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, Thursday
How to work it out
Count the days: 14 more in December, 31 in January and 9 in February, so 54 days.
54 = 7 weeks and 5 days.
Whole weeks bring you back to Saturday; 5 more days gives Thursday.
Why the other options are wrong
A (Friday): This counts one day too many: the start day itself is not counted.
B (Tuesday): This treats December or January as having 30 days; both have 31.
C (Saturday): Check the number of days left in December again.
E (Wednesday): This counts one day too few. Count the days after the start date, up to and including the end date.
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
Here are four words and three number codes. The codes are not in the same order as the words, and one code is missing. What is the code for DAMP?
DAMP SOAP CALM DROP 6724 9374 5281
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, 9214
How to work it out
Find a letter that appears in only one place, or two words that share a pattern, and match them to the codes.
Working through the letters: D = 9, A = 2, M = 1, P = 4, R = 3, O = 7, S = 6, C = 5, L = 8.
So DAMP is 9214.
Why the other options are wrong
A (9124): Two digits are in the wrong place: check each letter against its number.
B (9241): Two digits are in the wrong place: check each letter against its number.
D (2914): Two digits are in the wrong place: check each letter against its number.
E (4129): Two digits are in the wrong place: check each letter against its number.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds
Which of the shapes below could join this group?
The group
Show the worked answer
Answer: C
How to work it out
Every shape in the group has the same number of dots as it has sides.
Shading and rotation change freely, so they are distractors.
What entrance test does Dartford Grammar School for Girls use?
Dartford Grammar School for Girls 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 Dartford Grammar School for Girls?
Schools do not publish pass marks. As a guide, Prism suggests a child aims to score around 85% consistently in practice for a highly 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 Dartford Grammar School for Girls?
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 Dartford Grammar School for Girls?
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.