Kent 11 Plus Dates 2026: Registration, Test Day and Results — The Complete Timeline

Kent 11 plus dates 2026 — knowing the key dates in the Kent Test calendar is one of the most practically important things any family can do when planning for grammar school entry. Missing the registration deadline means missing the test entirely that year. This guide sets out the full timeline for the 2025/2026 cycle in the order it happens.

Important: Always Verify Dates Officially

The dates below are based on the established pattern from previous years and are strongly indicative of what to expect for the 2026 test cycle. However, Kent County Council confirms exact dates each year and these can shift. Always verify the current year's dates directly on the Kent County Council website or through your child's primary school. Do not rely on information from previous years, this guide, or parent forums as the definitive source — the official council website is the only authoritative source for current-year dates.

January to March (Year 5): Awareness and Early Planning

Parents of children currently in Year 5 who are considering grammar school entry should begin researching the Kent Test process from the beginning of the spring term at the latest. January to March is the time to understand what the test involves, begin or significantly accelerate preparation, visit grammar school open evenings, and make a realistic assessment of their child's current level and the preparation needed.

April to June (Year 5): The Registration Window

Registration for the Kent Test typically opens in early June of Year 5 and closes about a month later — confirm exact dates on kent.gov.uk. The deadline is firm. Parents must register through KCC; do not assume the school has done it automatically.

Children at independent schools anywhere, children living outside Kent (opt-in candidates), and home-educated children must register directly through Kent County Council's online registration portal. Set a calendar reminder for the registration opening date and complete registration promptly rather than waiting until near the deadline.

September (Year 6): Test Day

The test is sat on a Saturday in mid-September of Year 6. Children arrive at their test centre at the specified time (typically 20-30 minutes before the test start time), register with the invigilator, and are shown to their seats. Both papers are sat on the same morning with a supervised break between them. Parents wait outside — not in the test room. Total time at the test centre is typically 2.5 to 3 hours from arrival to exit.

October (Year 6): Results

Results are published in mid-to-late October, typically four to six weeks after the test. Parents receive written or electronic notification of whether their child has achieved a qualifying score, along with the child's standardised score. Having prepared mentally for both outcomes before results day makes the period significantly less overwhelming. Having a list of preferred upper schools ready before results day is also strongly advisable, since secondary school applications open immediately after results are published.

October 31 (Year 6): Secondary School Application Deadline

Regardless of the 11 plus result, all families must submit their secondary school preferences through Kent County Council's Common Application Form (CAF) for secondary schools by 31 October. This is a national local authority admissions deadline and it is firm — late applications receive lower priority in the allocation process. Every child should list several preferences to ensure a school place is secured.

March (Year 7 Entry): National Offer Day

Secondary school offers are made on National Offer Day, typically 1 March. Families receive confirmation of their child's allocated school. Grammar school places are offered to qualifying children in distance order for most schools. If a qualifying child is not offered a grammar place due to distance, they can join the waiting list and consider the appeal process.

Key Takeaways