1. Kent Secondary School Transition
Secondary Transfer 2019
and The Kent Test

2. Opening date for online registrations Friday 1st June
Closing date for online applications for tests – 2nd July 18
All tests – Thursday 6th Sept 18
Results to parents ed/posted Thursday 11th October
SCAF closing date Weds 31st Oct 18
School offer day Friday 1st March – letters arrive 2nd

3. Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF)
Available September 2018.
Completed by October 2018.
Offers of places will be given on 1st March 2019.
Date by which places should be accepted or declined: March 2019
So why do we need to consider this now?

4. The Kent Test
Your child does not need to take the tests unless you (and they) are interested in a grammar school place.
Unlike in the past, your child may now sit the tests and receive their results prior to applying for secondary school places.
As a school we are here to support you through this process, but we cannot coach children for the test. Paper form or on-line at
All tests take place in September English, Maths and Reasoning.

5. The Test
The tests are multiple-choice with a separate answer sheet. They are marked by an automated marking machine.
This year’s tests will be:
a) English and Maths Test 2018 in multiple choice format (c.60 minutes plus admin time, two separate sections each with introductory practice items, English first);
b) Reasoning Test 2018 in multiple choice format
c) .60 minutes plus admin time, one Verbal Reasoning section and five Non-Verbal (including spatial), separately timed with introductory practice items.) Pupils will also be required to complete a writing exercise under test conditions which will take 40 minutes. This will NOT be marked and will not affect a pupil’s standardised score: it is simply to ensure that at least one good, extended sample of a pupil’s unaided written work is available should his or her assessment require further consideration.

6. The Test
KCC produce a familiarisation booklet. They can be downloaded from KCC’s website.
This gives examples of the type of questions asked in the Kent Test, and explains the correct answers to some sample questions.
Dover Boys Grammar and Dover Girls Grammar – their own additional entrance tests. – Saturday after main tests.

7. School Support Give teacher assessment information.
Advise you of factors to consider when choosing a school for your child – where will they be happier? Where are they more likely to feel confident and succeed?
Help you to understand the process.

8. What can you do?
Visit secondary schools as early as possible with your child so that they can start to consider their options. Secondary schools will advertise details about admissions on their websites as well as details of open afternoons/evenings. It is worth familiarising yourself with the websites of schools you think may be on your short-list.
Get a “feel” for the environment and ethos of each school and involve your child in the decision-making process.
Consider travel arrangements.
Be realistic – some children are better suited to a grammar school, some are better suited to a non-selective school.
Provide your child with support and guidance now, if they are sitting the Kent Test in September – they will perform better if they are prepared.
Try to avoid your child feeling the pressure. They will have enough to worry about with the move to a new school.
Remember that we are here to help.

9. What can you do?
Visit the website by searching online for ‘Kent Test 2018’
Or visit:

10. Appeals
Kent will still allow for a ‘Headteacher Appeal’ if a child is not successful in the Kent Test but was expected to be.
We will only appeal for a child if we believe this to be the case and if we have sufficiently strong evidence to support such an appeal.
If a child is awarded a school that they are not happy with, parents are able to appeal for a place at their preferred school. All information to help with this will be sent out with the offer letter in March.