Borden Grammar School 11 Plus: Exam & Preparation Guide
Borden Grammar School is a selective boys’ grammar school in Sittingbourne, Kent. Learning Street’s current preparation materials for Borden are based around the Kent 11 Plus format, covering English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning across two multiple-choice papers, together with a separate writing exercise. This guide explains the Borden Grammar School 11 Plus format reflected in our current materials, what its demands mean for preparation, and how Learning Street’s GL courses and Kent mock exams can help your child prepare effectively.
Borden Grammar School 11 Plus at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| School | Borden Grammar School |
| Location | Sittingbourne, Kent |
| School type | Selective boys’ grammar school |
| Preparation route | Learning Street Kent 11 Plus |
| Format reflected in Learning Street materials | GL-style Kent 11 Plus |
| Paper 1 | Verbal, Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning |
| Paper 2 | English and Maths |
| Writing exercise | 40 minutes including planning; not included in Learning Street’s Kent Mock Packs |
| Answer format | Multiple choice using separate answer sheets for the main test papers |
Learning Street’s current Kent mock exams use a Reasoning paper covering Verbal, Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning and a second paper covering English and Maths. The Kent preparation materials also recognise a separate writing exercise, although this is not included within Learning Street’s Mock Packs.
View Borden Grammar School’s latest information
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Exam Format | Mock Exams | Pass Marks | Preparation | Courses
Borden Grammar School 11 Plus Exam Format
Learning Street’s current Borden Grammar School preparation materials reflect the Kent 11 Plus format, with two main multiple-choice papers covering English, Maths and Reasoning.
The first paper in Learning Street’s Kent materials is a Reasoning paper covering Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning.
The second paper contains English and Maths. Within Learning Street’s current Kent format, each of these sections includes practice time followed by a timed test section.
Children record their answers on separate multiple-choice answer sheets. This means realistic preparation should include following formal instructions, moving between timed sections and recording answers accurately rather than concentrating only on solving individual questions.
The Kent format reflected in Learning Street’s current materials also includes a 40-minute writing exercise, including planning time. This writing exercise is not included within Learning Street’s Kent Mock Packs, so families who want to practise writing should do this separately.
What Does the Borden Grammar School Exam Format Mean for Preparation?
The combination of English, Maths and several different forms of reasoning means children need secure underlying knowledge together with the ability to adapt quickly between different types of question.
English preparation should build efficient reading, comprehension, vocabulary and accurate use of language. Strong vocabulary also supports performance in Verbal Reasoning, so language development benefits more than one part of preparation.
Maths preparation should establish secure KS2 knowledge alongside strong arithmetic fluency. Routine calculations should become reliable enough that children can focus their attention on understanding and solving less familiar problems.
Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning require systematic observation. Children need to recognise relationships involving shape, position, rotation, reflection and spatial movement rather than relying on an answer simply looking correct.
Children should also develop sufficient concentration to work accurately across substantial timed papers and become comfortable using separate answer sheets.
Borden Grammar School 11 Plus Mock Exams and Practice Papers
Learning Street currently covers Borden Grammar School through its Kent 11 Plus Mock Exam Packs 1–4. These are the Learning Street mock papers currently associated with preparation for Borden.
Learning Street carries out ongoing research when developing its Kent mocks, with the aim of reproducing the format, difficulty, instructions and timings reflected in its Kent preparation materials as closely as practical. Each pack includes realistic answer sheets, detailed parent and invigilation instructions, guidance on how time should be called and detailed answers for reviewing performance afterwards.
The four Kent mock exams contain entirely different questions, giving children several opportunities to practise under timed conditions without repeating the same material.
The separate writing task is not included in the Kent Mock Packs, so families who want to replicate the complete experience should add separate timed writing practice.
Pack 1 | Pack 2 | Pack 3 | Pack 4
Save 20% – Buy all four for £48
Kent 11 Plus Mock Exam Bundle – Packs 1–4
Borden Grammar School 11 Plus Pass Marks and Scores
There is no permanent raw practice-paper percentage that guarantees admission to Borden Grammar School.
Entrance-test scores and admissions arrangements should not be treated as equivalent to a simple percentage target on commercial practice papers. The difficulty of different practice materials varies, so the same percentage can represent different levels of performance on different papers.
Meeting the academic standard required for selective consideration also does not automatically guarantee a place. Borden Grammar School applies its published admissions and oversubscription arrangements when allocating available places.
For preparation, it is more useful to monitor whether performance is becoming consistently strong across English, Maths and Reasoning while identifying weaknesses in knowledge, accuracy, timing and exam technique.
View Borden Grammar School’s latest admissions information
How to Prepare for the Borden Grammar School 11 Plus
Effective preparation for Borden Grammar School should first develop secure underlying skills and then help children apply those skills accurately under the timed conditions reflected in Learning Street’s current Kent preparation materials.
Learning Street’s GL programmes are designed around this approach. Rather than relying on repeated testing alone, our courses combine structured learning, practice, revision and progressively more timed work.
English Preparation
English preparation should develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar. Children need to read unfamiliar material efficiently while retaining enough information to distinguish between closely matched possible answers.
Regular reading should be combined with deliberate vocabulary development. A broader vocabulary also supports the Verbal Reasoning element of preparation.
Maths Preparation
Secure KS2 Maths is essential, but children also need sufficient arithmetic fluency to complete routine calculations efficiently within timed conditions.
Times tables, mental Maths and the four operations should become reliable. Preparation should increasingly require children to identify independently which mathematical method is appropriate rather than simply following a familiar worked example.
Verbal Reasoning Preparation
Verbal Reasoning relies on both reasoning technique and strong vocabulary. A child may understand how a question works but still struggle if important words or verbal relationships are unfamiliar.
Preparation should therefore combine systematic Verbal Reasoning practice with regular vocabulary development and revision.
Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning Preparation
Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning reward careful, systematic observation.
Children should learn to identify relationships involving shape, position, rotation, reflection and spatial movement rather than choosing an answer simply because it looks plausible. Regular practice helps develop a consistent approach to unfamiliar visual problems.
Writing Preparation
Learning Street’s current Kent preparation information also recognises a separate timed writing exercise. Although this is not included within the Kent Mock Packs, children can still benefit from some experience of planning and producing a coherent piece of writing within a limited period.
Families wanting additional structured writing preparation can use Learning Street’s Creative Writing Course alongside the main GL programme.
11 Plus Creative Writing Course
When your child is ready to apply these skills under realistic timed conditions, Learning Street’s Kent mock exams provide structured practice based on the Kent format reflected in our current Borden Grammar School preparation materials.
View the Kent 11 Plus Mock Exam Bundle – Packs 1–4
Which Borden Grammar School 11 Plus Course Should You Choose?
Learning Street currently offers three main GL preparation routes for children preparing for Borden Grammar School: Complete, Enhance and Boost. These courses combine structured learning, practice, revision and timed testing rather than requiring parents to build their own programme from unrelated books and papers.
The most suitable route mainly depends 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 structured preparation across Vocabulary, English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning alongside extensive timed practice.
The Complete 11 Plus Programme
Families following the Kent route can also supplement this with separate writing preparation.
11 Plus Creative Writing Course
The Complete 11 Plus Programme – Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning
The Complete 11 Plus Programme – Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning
The Complete Vocabulary Course
Enhance GL — 15–30 Weeks
Learning Street’s Enhance GL programme provides a shorter structured preparation route for families with less time available while still covering the main GL preparation areas.
Separate Creative Writing preparation can also be added alongside Enhance.
11 Plus Creative Writing Course
11 Plus Enhance – Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning
11 Plus Enhance – Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Boost GL — 6–15 Weeks
Learning Street’s Boost GL programme is our shortest full GL preparation route and is designed for families beginning focused preparation later.
Families can also add focused Creative Writing preparation for the separate writing element reflected in Learning Street’s Kent preparation materials.
11 Plus Creative Writing Course
11 Plus Boost – Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning
11 Plus Boost – Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Starting Earlier?
If your child is still building the literacy and numeracy foundations needed before dedicated 11 Plus preparation begins, Learning Street’s 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 provides structured revision for children who have already covered the core material elsewhere.
Also Sitting Independent School Exams?
Children also sitting independent-school entrance tests may need additional preparation beyond the material reflected in Learning Street’s current Kent mocks.
11 Plus Creative Writing Course
11 Plus Maths Stretch and Revision
Current Borden Grammar School Admissions Information
Entrance-test arrangements, registration deadlines, qualifying requirements and oversubscription criteria can change. Always check Borden Grammar School’s own admissions guidance for the latest application information.
View Borden Grammar School’s latest admissions information
For general questions about the 11 Plus, preparation and Learning Street courses:
