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What is in the Kent Test?
The Kent Test has English and maths, then reasoning, plus a separate writing exercise. The scored papers use multiple-choice questions and a separate answer sheet.
Source: KCC: prepare for the Kent Test (accessed 2026-09-23)
The published structure
Source: KCC: prepare for the Kent Test (accessed 2026-09-23)
| Part | What to expect |
|---|---|
| English and maths | One hour: each subject has 5 minutes of practice and 25 minutes of assessed work. English includes comprehension and literacy. |
| Reasoning | About an hour including practice. Verbal and non-verbal reasoning; short non-verbal sections are timed separately. |
| Writing | 40 minutes including 10 minutes to plan. Not scored, but available to the headteacher panel. |
Suggested preparation: practise the whole instruction
- Read the question before choosing an answer. Underline what it asks you to find.
- Try explaining why one tempting option is wrong.
- When using a printed practice sheet, match the question number to the answer row.
- For writing practice, make a small plan, write a complete piece and leave room to check sentences.
Keep this manageable. One carefully discussed question can give you a clearer next step than a page your child rushes through without review.
Read what the sentence supports
Worked example An inference with evidence
Original teaching example. Mara put her sunhat back in the drawer, took her waterproof coat and paused at the sound of rain against the window. What best explains her change of clothing? A She lost her hat. B She expects wet weather. C She dislikes sunlight. D She is going swimming. E She has finished her journey.
- Find the clues: waterproof coat and rain at the window.
- Choose the explanation supported by both clues, without adding a new event.
Why this works: B. The details support preparing for wet weather.
Why the tempting route fails: D mentions water but invents a swimming trip. Matching a word is not the same as using evidence.
Use this as a map, not a complete paper
Our short example teaches one reading decision. It cannot represent the range or difficulty of a full sitting. Follow the official familiarisation instructions before practising with a clock.
Sources and scope
Sources
KCC: prepare for the Kent Test. Paper structure, writing and official familiarisation. Accessed 2026-09-23. Read the official sourcehttps://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-places/kent-test/prepare-for-the-kent-test
Source access date: 2026-09-23; live pages rechecked 2026-09-24. Official pages can change. Our teaching examples and suggested routines are independently written, not official test items or predictions of admission.