Dartford Grammar School for Girls 11 Plus: Exam & Preparation Guide
Dartford Grammar School for Girls uses the Kent Test for 11 Plus selection. The Kent 11 Plus assesses English, Maths and Reasoning through two scored multiple-choice tests, alongside a separate writing exercise. This guide explains the Dartford Grammar School for Girls 11 Plus exam format, what its demands mean for preparation, and how Learning Street’s courses and Kent 11 Plus mock exams can help your child prepare effectively.
Dartford Grammar School for Girls 11 Plus at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| School | Dartford Grammar School for Girls |
| Area | Kent |
| School type | Selective girls’ grammar school |
| Entrance test | Kent Test / Kent 11 Plus |
| Exam provider | GL Assessment |
| Exam structure | Two scored multiple-choice tests plus a separate writing exercise |
| Areas tested | English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning |
Information and Mock Exam review: The information on this page and Learning Street’s Dartford Grammar School for Girls mock exams are reviewed against the latest reliable information available about the Dartford Grammar School for Girls entrance test.
Quick Contents
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Exam Format |
Mock Exams |
Pass Marks |
Preparation |
Courses
Dartford Grammar School for Girls 11 Plus Exam Format
The Dartford Grammar School for Girls 11 Plus uses the Kent Test, which consists of two scored multiple-choice tests covering English, Maths and Reasoning, together with a separate writing exercise.
The English and Maths test contains separate sections for the two subjects. Learning Street’s Kent Test information reflects a short practice period followed by a timed English section and a timed Maths section.
The English element includes comprehension and wider literacy skills. The Maths section requires children to apply secure mathematical knowledge accurately while working under time pressure.
The Reasoning test covers Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning. Children therefore need to prepare for both language-based and visual reasoning rather than concentrating only on curriculum English and Maths.
The scored tests use multiple-choice questions with separate answer sheets. This means children need to develop accurate answer recording alongside subject knowledge and exam technique.
The Kent Test also includes a separate writing exercise. Learning Street’s current Kent Mock Packs focus on the two scored multiple-choice tests, so writing preparation should be completed alongside the mock programme.
What Does the Dartford Grammar School for Girls Exam Format Mean for Preparation?
The breadth of the Kent Test means Dartford Grammar School for Girls 11 Plus preparation should develop English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning rather than relying on strength in one or two subjects.
English and Verbal Reasoning are closely connected through vocabulary. A child may understand how to approach a reasoning question but still find it difficult if key words are unfamiliar. Regular reading and structured vocabulary development should therefore run throughout preparation.
Maths should become accurate and fluent enough that routine calculations do not use unnecessary time. Once the fundamentals are secure, children can spend more preparation time applying their knowledge to less familiar problems.
Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning need a systematic approach. Children should learn to inspect changes involving shape, number, position, rotation, reflection and shading rather than relying on visual guesswork.
Once the underlying skills are secure, preparation should become progressively more timed so that children also develop concentration, stamina and confidence using multiple-choice answer sheets.
Dartford Grammar School for Girls 11 Plus Mock Exams and Practice Papers
Learning Street researches the known Kent Test format, paper length and timings when producing its Kent mocks. We also provide realistic answer sheets, invigilation instructions and guidance on when time should be called so parents can reproduce the practical demands of the test at home as closely as possible.
Pack 1 |
Pack 2 |
Pack 3 |
Pack 4
Save 20% – Buy all four for £48.
Kent 11 Plus Mock Exam Bundle – Packs 1–4
Dartford Grammar School for Girls 11 Plus Pass Marks and Standardised Scores
Learning Street does not recommend treating one fixed raw practice-paper percentage as a permanent Dartford Grammar School for Girls 11 Plus pass mark.
The Kent Test measures performance across English, Maths and Reasoning. A percentage achieved on a Learning Street mock should therefore be used to monitor preparation rather than treated as an official Kent Test result.
An overall mock score can also hide important differences between subjects. A child may be performing strongly overall while still losing marks consistently in one reasoning area, comprehension, Maths or vocabulary.
Mock results are most useful for identifying whether marks are being lost because of knowledge gaps, weak vocabulary, reasoning technique, careless mistakes, timing or answer-sheet accuracy.
The preparation goal should therefore be increasingly consistent performance across all of the areas needed for the Kent Test rather than concentrating only on a single headline percentage.
How to Prepare for the Dartford Grammar School for Girls 11 Plus
Effective Dartford Grammar School for Girls 11 Plus preparation should build secure underlying skills before children rely heavily on complete practice papers.
Learning Street’s approach is to develop core English, Maths, vocabulary and reasoning skills first, consolidate them through structured revision and then introduce progressively more timed work before moving towards complete Kent 11 Plus mock exams.
English Preparation
English preparation should develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar. Children need to become confident reading unfamiliar material efficiently while still understanding precise details and meaning.
Regular reading should be supported by structured comprehension practice and deliberate vocabulary development. Building vocabulary also supports Verbal Reasoning, making it particularly valuable across the Kent Test.
Maths Preparation
Secure KS2 Maths provides the foundation for the Dartford Grammar School for Girls 11 Plus. Times tables, mental Maths and the four operations should become reliable before substantial time pressure is introduced.
Children should then progress towards mixed problems where they need to identify independently which mathematical method to use. This develops flexible problem solving rather than dependence on questions being grouped by topic.
Verbal Reasoning Preparation
Verbal Reasoning requires both reasoning technique and strong vocabulary. Children should learn reliable methods for word, letter, code and logical reasoning questions rather than simply remembering how individual examples were answered.
Vocabulary should be developed systematically and revisited regularly because unfamiliar words can make otherwise manageable questions considerably harder.
Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning Preparation
Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning require careful and systematic observation. Children should learn to examine features such as shape, number, position, direction, rotation, reflection and shading.
The aim is to develop methods that can be transferred to unfamiliar visual problems rather than relying on recognition of previously practised questions.
Writing Preparation
The Kent Test also includes a separate writing exercise. Children should therefore have experience planning and completing a coherent piece of writing within a limited period.
Preparation should develop organisation, vocabulary, sentence control, spelling and punctuation together with the ability to generate and organise ideas efficiently.
Once these skills are secure, children can begin applying them under realistic timed conditions using Learning Street’s Kent 11 Plus mock exams.
View the Kent 11 Plus Mock Exam Bundle – Packs 1–4
Which Dartford Grammar School for Girls 11 Plus Course Should You Choose?
Learning Street offers three main GL preparation routes for children preparing for the Dartford Grammar School for Girls 11 Plus: Complete, Enhance and Boost. These courses develop Vocabulary, English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning through structured learning, practice, revision and timed testing.
Because the Kent Test also includes a separate writing exercise, families can supplement their main GL route with Learning Street’s Creative Writing Course where additional writing preparation is needed.
The most suitable main course depends largely on how much preparation time remains.
| Preparation time | Learning Street course | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 30–40+ weeks | Complete GL | Our most comprehensive preparation |
| 15–30 weeks | Enhance GL | A shorter structured programme |
| 6–15 weeks | Boost GL | Focused preparation when less time remains |
Complete GL — 30–40+ Weeks
Learning Street’s Complete GL 11 Plus Programme is our most comprehensive preparation option. It provides a structured programme across Vocabulary, English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning and is designed for families with enough time to build skills steadily before moving towards revision and timed work.
The Complete GL 11 Plus Programme
Focused Complete options are also available:
Complete – Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning
Complete – Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Enhance GL — 15–30 Weeks
Learning Street’s Enhance GL programme is a medium-length route for families with less preparation time. It retains structured work across the major GL preparation areas while condensing the programme into a shorter period.
Focused Enhance options are also available:
Enhance – Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning
Enhance – Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Boost GL — 6–15 Weeks
Learning Street’s Boost GL programme is the shortest full preparation route and is designed for families starting focused Dartford Grammar School for Girls 11 Plus preparation later.
It concentrates the main learning, revision and timed work into a shorter programme before children move towards complete Kent mock exams.
Focused Boost options are also available:
Boost – Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning
Boost – Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Where additional preparation is needed for the separate Kent writing exercise:
11 Plus Creative Writing Course
Starting Earlier?
If your child is still developing the literacy and numeracy foundations needed before dedicated Dartford Grammar School for Girls 11 Plus preparation begins, Learning Street’s primary-school course chooser can help you select the most appropriate starting point.
Primary School – Course Chooser for Younger Children
Already Completed Substantial Preparation?
Learning Street’s 11 Plus Revision Course – GL is suitable for children who have already completed substantial 11 Plus preparation through books, tutoring or another programme but now need a more structured revision period.
It should not normally be completed after one of Learning Street’s Complete, Enhance or Boost programmes because some of the material overlaps.
Also Sitting Independent School Exams?
Children also sitting independent-school entrance tests may need additional preparation in areas or formats beyond those covered by the Kent Test.
11 Plus Creative Writing Course
11 Plus Maths Stretch and Revision
Current Dartford Grammar School for Girls Admissions Information
This Learning Street page is designed as an evergreen Dartford Grammar School for Girls 11 Plus preparation guide. It focuses on the Kent Test, preparation, Learning Street mock exams and course choices rather than annual dates, changing admissions arrangements or other school-reference information.
For general questions about the 11 Plus, preparation and Learning Street courses:
