11 Plus Exams in Kent

From Entrance Tests

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My daughter scored 363 in the Sept 08 tests, and has been deemed appropriate for selective grammar school by KCC, we live in the Maidstone area.

Contents 1 General Information 2 Important Dates 3 Examination Format 4 Scoring 4.1 Pass mark 4.2 Weighting 4.3 Standardisation process 5 Question Types 6 Recommended Practice Materials 7 Application Procedure 8 Appeals Process 9 Grammar / Selective Schools in Kent 10 Contacts 11 Article Contributors

General Information

In the county of Kent there are two eleven plus regions

• 11 Plus Exams in Kent (This article)
• 11 Plus Exams in Medway

Important Dates

Date	Details
September 2009	Verbal Reasoning Exam
September 2009	Non Verbal Reasoning Exam
September 2009	Maths Exam
October 2009	Results Released
March 2009	National Allocation Day

Examination Format

Paper	Subjects	Format	Publisher	# of Questions	Time Allowed	Date Taken
Verbal Reasoning Exam	Verbal Reasoning	Multiple Choice	GL Assessment	80	50 mins	September 2009
Maths Exam	Mathematics	Multiple Choice	GL Assessment	80	50 mins	September 2009
Non Verbal Reasoning Exam	Non Verbal Reasoning	Multiple Choice	GL Assessment	60	50 mins	September 2009
Creative Writing Exam	Creative Writing	Standard	Unknown	1	50 mins	September 2009

Testing is held over a two day period during the normal school day and in your child’s primary school. It is invigilated by a Headteacher from another school.

All tests excluding the creative writing are in multiple choice formats where your child indicates their answer from a selection given to them, these are then computer marked. The creative writing is a story and is only marked (by hand) if you appeal against the test result. Each test lasts around 50 minutes.

Scoring

Pass mark

Results day for children and their parents are mid October. Parents are advised of whether their child has been deemed suitable for Grammar school. The actual test scores are not included with this information but they can be obtained from your child’s school if you require them.

The pass mark for each exam varies slightly from year to year but is normally around 120 for two subjects and 115 for the third after the scores have been standardised (See: Standardisation of scores).. In addition in 2008 a second cumulative pass mark of 360 in all three subjects was set. The maximum score is 140 For example: Maths 132 Verbal Reasoning 128 Non verbal 118 Total 378 Deemed selective

Maths 126 Verbal 132 Non verbal 114 Total 372 Deemed non selective

Maths 121 Verbal 121 Non verbal 116 Total 358 Deemed non selective

Weighting

Standardisation process

Nobody knows the exact formula used to standardise the score. But in simple terms allowances are made for age, so that all children can be compared equally and the youngest are not at a disadvantage.

Question Types

See 21 verbal reasoning question types for more info.

Recommended Practice Materials

• Chuckra Educational
• GL Assessment
• The Bright Sparks series by Susan Daughtrey
• IPS
• AFN

Application Procedure

In order to sit the test you must apply to the Kent Admissions team in the June of the year of testing. No school selection will be required at this stage as this will be done after the test results are known.

Appeals Process

Results are posted out to the schools first and should the school feel the mark was not a true indication of the child’s ability they can request a review. In these circumstances the creative writing test will be reviewed along with school work. At this stage parents and children are not aware of the test outcome or the school review. If your child has been deemed non-selective and you still wish them to be considered for a grammar school place it is important to include the grammar school on your school admission form and reflect its true order of preference, as you will be able to appeal to the school at a later date.

See 11 plus appeals for more info. Here is an interview with a parent who made a successful appeal.

Grammar / Selective Schools in Kent

School	Address	Website	# of Pupils	New Places Available Each Year
school 1	23123	www.nb	1000	50
school 2	nbvbbbvbv	www.765	1000	50

Contacts

Article Contributors

Deborah Martin - Rainham Tuition Centre