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Kent Test vs Other 11+ Tests: Medway, CEM and Other GL Areas
Families often assume that “the 11+” is one national exam. It is not. The Kent Test is produced by GL Assessment for Kent County Council. Other local authorities use different papers, dates, scoring rules and registration portals — even when the publisher is also GL Assessment.
Kent’s own papers and rules
English & maths multiple-choice booklet; reasoning multiple-choice booklet (verbal, non-verbal and spatial); plus a writing exercise. Official results report three age-standardised scores — English, maths, reasoning — plus an aggregate. Kent County Council publishes official scores and whether your child has been assessed as suitable for grammar school when results are released. We do not quote pass marks. Confirm the current rules and figures on kent.gov.uk.
Kent County Council explains on kent.gov.uk who grammar schools are intended to serve. We do not quote a percentage here — confirm the current wording on the official pages. A grammar assessment makes a child eligible to be considered — it is not an offer of a place. How each school allocates places is in that school’s published admissions policy. Confirm the current policy with the school. Do not rely on this site for cut-offs, score ranking, or whether a named school will offer a place.
Kent Test vs Medway Test
Medway is a neighbouring local authority with its own 11+ and its own grammar schools. A Kent Test result does not make a child eligible for Medway grammars, and a Medway result does not replace the Kent Test for Kent grammars. If you want both, register for each test separately and check each council’s dates. Do not treat GL-style practice as a single interchangeable paper for both areas — use each authority’s familiarisation materials.
Kent (GL) vs CEM-style 11+
CEM-style papers (used in some other parts of England) blend skills rather than using Kent’s discrete English/maths and reasoning booklets. Practice labelled CEM is not effective Kent Test preparation. See our Kent vs CEM and other GL comparison for the format differences.
Other GL 11+ areas
Shared GL branding does not mean identical papers. Other GL regions may omit Kent’s writing exercise, use different section timings, or set school-level rather than county-level thresholds. Always follow the familiarisation booklet for the test you have registered for.
Key Takeaways
- The Kent Test is GL Assessment — but Kent has its own booklets, timings and KCC qualifying rules
- Medway is a separate test and a separate admissions process
- CEM-style materials do not prepare children for Kent’s discrete multiple-choice booklets
- Register separately for each area test; results are not interchangeable
- Always confirm the current year’s booklet, dates and official scores on kent.gov.uk — we do not quote pass marks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my child sit the Kent Test and another area’s 11+?
Yes, if you register for each test and can attend each sitting. Dates differ by authority — confirm both calendars before you plan.
Is Kent GL practice enough for Medway?
It helps with question types, but it is not a substitute for Medway’s own familiarisation materials, timings and admissions rules.
Do Kent and Medway grammar schools accept each other’s test results?
No. Each authority’s qualifying decision applies only to that authority’s schools unless a school’s published policy says otherwise — always check the named school.
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