11+ in Kent: the GL Assessment format
What a child sits in Kent, what each paper is really testing, and what that format means for how you prepare. Format and method only — the dates, thresholds and admission rules belong to Kent County Council's Kent Test pages, and we do not restate them.
What the papers cover
- English
- Maths
- Reasoning
What to prioritise for this format
- The English paper makes comprehension and vocabulary examinable in their own right, not just as a route into reasoning questions. Reading widely is preparation, not a break from it.
- The reasoning paper mixes verbal and non-verbal styles, so switching between question types without losing pace is a skill worth practising deliberately.
- Mixed practice beats topic-by-topic practice late on: the paper will not group questions helpfully, so the last stage of preparation should not either.
Dates, pass marks and admission rules change every year and vary by school. Always confirm the current details with Kent County Council's Kent Test pages — we deliberately don’t republish them here.
Free worked examples by topic
Each page below explains the method, shows five worked examples rising in difficulty, and names the mistake that costs marks.
Verbal reasoning
Common questions
- Which papers does the Kent 11+ include?
- English, Maths, Reasoning. The format is set by GL Assessment. Confirm the current arrangements with Kent County Council's Kent Test pages before you plan around them.
- When is the Kent 11+ sat?
- Almost all 11+ tests are sat at the start of Year 6, for entry the following September — which means the preparation year is Year 5. Registration usually closes months before the test itself, so check the deadline with the admissions authority early.
- What score does a child need in Kent?
- We deliberately do not publish thresholds. They are set by the schools, adjusted for age, and move from year to year depending on who applies — a number quoted on a website is out of date the moment it is written. Kent County Council's Kent Test pages is the source worth trusting.
- How should we prepare for the Kent format specifically?
- The English paper makes comprehension and vocabulary examinable in their own right, not just as a route into reasoning questions. Reading widely is preparation, not a break from it.
See where your child stands
Ten questions across the papers, no account needed, and a written report naming the topics with marks left in them.
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