Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School 11 Plus: Exam & Preparation Guide
Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School is a co-educational selective grammar school in Ramsgate, Kent. Children applying for Year 7 entry take the Kent Test, which assesses English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning across two multiple-choice tests, together with a separate writing exercise. This guide explains the Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School 11 Plus format, what its demands mean for preparation, and how Learning Street’s GL courses and Kent mock exams can help your child prepare effectively.
Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School 11 Plus at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| School | Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School |
| Location | Ramsgate, Kent |
| School type | Co-educational selective grammar school |
| Test | Kent Test |
| Exam provider | GL Assessment |
| Exam structure | Two multiple-choice tests plus a separate writing exercise |
| English and Maths test | English and Maths, with separate practice and timed sections |
| Reasoning test | Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, including spatial reasoning skills |
| Writing exercise | 40 minutes including 10 minutes planning; not routinely marked as part of the numerical Kent Test score |
| Answer format | Multiple choice using separate answer sheets for the two main tests |
Information and Mock Exam Review: The information on this page and Learning Street’s Kent 11 Plus mock exams are reviewed against the latest reliable information available about the Kent Test used for Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School.
Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School uses the Kent Test for Year 7 selection. Learning Street’s Kent preparation materials and mock exams cover the English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning skills required by the test. The separate Kent writing exercise is not included within Learning Street’s current Kent Mock Packs and should be practised separately.
View Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School’s latest admissions information
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Exam Format | Mock Exams | Pass Marks | Preparation | Courses
Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School 11 Plus Exam Format
The Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School 11 Plus uses the Kent Test, which consists of two multiple-choice tests covering English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, together with a separate 40-minute writing exercise.
One test covers English and Maths and lasts approximately one hour. Each subject includes a short practice section followed by a timed test section. The English element includes comprehension together with other questions designed to assess literacy skills.
The second test is a Reasoning test. It contains Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with the Non-Verbal Reasoning element divided into shorter sections which are administered and timed individually.
Children record their answers to the main tests on separate multiple-choice answer sheets. Accurate answer-sheet technique is therefore an important part of realistic preparation.
There is also a 40-minute writing exercise, including 10 minutes planning time. This is not routinely marked as part of the numerical Kent Test result but may be considered during the Headteacher Assessment process. It should therefore be prepared for appropriately without treating it as carrying the same scored weight as the main multiple-choice tests.
What Does the Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School Exam Format Mean for Preparation?
The Kent Test requires children to switch between literacy, numeracy and several forms of reasoning while maintaining accuracy across substantial timed tests.
English preparation needs to develop efficient reading and comprehension alongside vocabulary and accurate understanding of language. Children should become comfortable distinguishing between closely matched answers rather than simply identifying an option that looks broadly correct.
Maths preparation should establish secure KS2 knowledge and strong arithmetic fluency. Routine calculations need to become reliable enough that children can concentrate on understanding less familiar problems and choosing the correct method independently.
Verbal Reasoning places additional importance on vocabulary and recognising relationships involving words, letters and logical rules. Vocabulary development therefore supports both the English and Verbal Reasoning elements of the Kent Test.
Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning require children to examine visual information systematically. The individually timed sections mean children also need to listen carefully to instructions and become comfortable moving on when required rather than controlling the timing of the whole paper themselves.
Preparation should therefore progress from secure underlying skills to accuracy, reasoning technique, progressively timed work and finally realistic full mocks.
Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School 11 Plus Mock Exams and Practice Papers
Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School is covered by Learning Street’s Kent 11 Plus Mock Exam Packs 1–4. These mocks are designed around the Kent Test rather than being generic GL papers.
Learning Street’s current Kent mocks contain an English and Maths component together with a Reasoning component covering Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning.
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, allowing children to complete several realistic mock experiences without repeating the same material.
The separate Kent writing exercise is not included within Learning Street’s current Kent Mock Packs. Families wanting to replicate the complete Kent Test experience should therefore 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
Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School 11 Plus Pass Marks and Standardised Scores
There is no permanent raw practice-paper percentage that guarantees qualification for Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School.
Kent Test results are standardised rather than being treated as straightforward raw percentages. Children receive standardised results across English, Maths and Reasoning, together with an aggregate score.
The grammar-school assessment threshold can vary between admission years. It is therefore better not to hard-code a historic annual threshold into an evergreen preparation page.
Commercial practice papers also vary in difficulty and do not use the same standardisation process as the official Kent Test. A raw percentage achieved on a mock paper should therefore not be converted directly into an official Kent Test score.
Being assessed as suitable for grammar school also does not automatically guarantee a place at Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School. If there are more eligible applicants than available places, the school’s published admissions and oversubscription criteria are applied.
For preparation, mock-paper results are most useful for monitoring progress across English, Maths and Reasoning while identifying weaknesses in knowledge, vocabulary, accuracy, timing and exam technique.
View Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School’s latest admissions information
How to Prepare for the Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School 11 Plus
Effective preparation for Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School should first establish secure skills in English, Maths, Vocabulary, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning before progressively introducing revision, timed work and realistic Kent mock exams.
Learning Street’s GL programmes are designed around this progression. Courses are used to learn and develop the underlying skills; mock exams are then used to apply those skills under realistic timed conditions.
English Preparation
English preparation should develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and accurate understanding of language.
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 Verbal Reasoning, making this particularly valuable for Kent Test preparation.
Maths Preparation
Maths preparation should develop secure KS2 knowledge alongside strong arithmetic fluency and problem-solving skills.
Times tables, mental Maths and the four operations should become reliable enough that routine calculations do not consume unnecessary time.
Children should increasingly practise deciding independently which mathematical method is appropriate rather than relying on questions that make the required technique obvious.
Once accuracy is secure, timed work can help children apply these skills more efficiently under test conditions.
Verbal Reasoning Preparation
Verbal Reasoning requires children to understand and apply relationships involving words, letters, codes and logical rules.
Strong vocabulary is particularly important. 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 technique with continuous vocabulary development and revision.
Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning Preparation
Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning require careful, systematic observation.
Children should learn to examine features such as shape, size, position, number, shading, rotation, reflection and spatial movement rather than choosing an answer simply because it appears visually plausible.
The individually timed nature of parts of the Kent Reasoning test means children should also become comfortable completing one section at a time under formal instructions.
Writing Preparation
The Kent Test also includes a separate 40-minute writing exercise, including planning time.
Although the exercise is not routinely marked as part of the standard Kent Test numerical score, it may be considered through Headteacher Assessment. Children can therefore benefit from some experience of planning and producing a clear, coherent piece of writing within a limited period.
Learning Street’s current Kent Mock Packs do not contain this writing exercise, so families wanting structured writing preparation can supplement their main programme separately.
11 Plus Creative Writing Course
When your child is ready to apply the main Kent Test skills under realistic timed conditions, Learning Street’s Kent mock exams provide structured practice across English, Maths and Reasoning.
View the Kent 11 Plus Mock Exam Bundle – Packs 1–4
Which Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School 11 Plus Course Should You Choose?
Learning Street currently offers three main GL preparation routes for children preparing for Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School: Complete, Enhance and Boost. These programmes develop the English, Maths, Vocabulary, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning skills required for the Kent preparation route.
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 route. The 40-part programme develops Vocabulary, English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning alongside extensive practice and progressively timed work.
The Complete GL 11 Plus Programme
Families wanting additional preparation for the separate Kent writing exercise can supplement the programme with:
11 Plus Creative Writing Course
Focused Complete options are also available:
GL Vocabulary, English and Verbal Reasoning
GL Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning
The Complete Vocabulary Course
Enhance GL — 15–30 Weeks
Learning Street’s Enhance GL programme provides a shorter structured route for families with less preparation time while still covering the main Kent Test preparation areas.
Separate writing preparation can also be added where required:
11 Plus Creative Writing Course
Focused Enhance options are also available:
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 intended for families beginning focused preparation later.
Families can also add focused Creative Writing preparation for the separate Kent writing exercise:
11 Plus Creative Writing Course
Focused Boost options are also available:
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 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 provides structured revision for children who have already covered the main 11 Plus material through books, tutoring or another programme.
It should not normally be added after completing one of Learning Street’s Complete, Enhance or Boost programmes because some material overlaps.
Also Sitting Independent School Exams?
Children also sitting independent-school entrance tests may need additional preparation beyond the Kent Test.
11 Plus Creative Writing Course
11 Plus Maths Stretch and Revision
Current Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School Admissions Information
Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School uses the Kent Test for Year 7 selection. Children need to be assessed as suitable for grammar school before they can be considered for a normal Year 7 place.
Being assessed as suitable for grammar school does not automatically guarantee admission. If there are more eligible applicants than places available, Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School applies its published oversubscription criteria.
Registration arrangements, test dates, grammar-school thresholds and admissions criteria can change between admission years. Always check the school’s own admissions guidance and Kent County Council’s Kent Test information before applying.
View Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School’s latest admissions information
View Kent County Council’s current Kent Test guidance
For general questions about the 11 Plus, preparation and Learning Street courses:
