Dartford Grammar School 11 Plus: Exam & Preparation Guide
Dartford Grammar School 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 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 11 Plus at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| School | Dartford Grammar School |
| Area | Kent |
| 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 |
| Learning Street mocks | Kent Mock Exam Packs 1–4 |
Information and Mock Exam Review: The information on this page and Learning Street’s Kent 11 Plus mock exams are based on Learning Street’s current preparation and mock-exam information for the Kent Test.
Learning Street’s Kent mock research reflects the English, Maths and Reasoning structure of the two scored multiple-choice tests. The Kent Test also contains a separate writing exercise, which is not included within Learning Street’s current Kent Mock Packs.
View the Kent 11 Plus Mock Exam Bundle
Quick Contents
Use the links below to jump straight to the section you need.
Exam Format |
Mock Exams |
Pass Marks |
Preparation |
Courses
Dartford Grammar School 11 Plus Exam Format
The Dartford Grammar School 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 each subject. Learning Street’s Kent research reflects a five-minute practice period followed by a 25-minute assessed section for English, followed by the same structure for Maths.
The English section tests reading comprehension and wider literacy skills. The Maths section requires children to apply secure mathematical knowledge accurately within a timed test.
The Reasoning test lasts approximately one hour including practice sections and covers Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning.
The scored papers use multiple-choice questions with separate answer sheets. Children therefore need to combine strong underlying skills with careful answer recording and the ability to work within the supplied section timings.
The Kent Test also includes a 40-minute writing exercise, including planning time. Learning Street’s current Kent mocks focus on the two scored multiple-choice tests, so writing should be prepared for separately.
What Does the Dartford Grammar School Exam Format Mean for Preparation?
The breadth of the Kent Test means Dartford Grammar School 11 Plus preparation needs to develop English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning rather than relying on one or two strong subjects.
English and Verbal Reasoning are closely linked through vocabulary. A child may understand a reasoning method but still struggle if unfamiliar words make the question harder to interpret. Regular reading and deliberate vocabulary development should therefore run throughout preparation.
Maths preparation should secure times tables, mental Maths and the four operations before children move towards less familiar problem solving. Strong arithmetic fluency allows more attention to be given to choosing and applying the correct method.
Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning require a systematic approach to visual information. Children should learn to examine features such as shape, position, number, rotation, reflection and shading rather than relying on visual guesswork.
Once these underlying skills are secure, preparation can move progressively towards timed sections and complete Kent 11 Plus mock exams so that children also develop concentration, stamina and answer-sheet accuracy.
Dartford Grammar School 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 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 11 Plus pass mark.
The Kent Test measures performance across English, Maths and Reasoning. Results achieved on Learning Street practice materials should therefore be used to track preparation rather than being treated as equivalent to an official Kent Test score.
A child’s overall mock percentage can hide important differences between subjects. It is more useful to identify whether marks are being lost because of knowledge gaps, weak vocabulary, reasoning technique, careless errors, timing or answer-sheet accuracy.
Parents should therefore look for increasingly consistent performance across English, Maths and Reasoning rather than concentrating solely on one headline percentage.
How to Prepare for the Dartford Grammar School 11 Plus
Effective Dartford Grammar School 11 Plus preparation should build strong underlying skills before children rely heavily on complete practice papers.
Learning Street’s approach is to develop core knowledge, vocabulary and reasoning methods first, consolidate these through revision and then introduce progressively more timed work as the Kent Test approaches.
English Preparation
English preparation should develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar. Children need to read unfamiliar material efficiently while still understanding precise details and meaning.
Regular reading should be combined with structured comprehension practice and deliberate vocabulary work. This helps children build both reading efficiency and the language knowledge that also supports Verbal Reasoning.
Maths Preparation
Secure KS2 Maths provides the foundation for the Dartford Grammar School 11 Plus. Times tables, mental Maths and the four operations should become reliable before significant time pressure is introduced.
Children should then progress towards mixed questions where they need to identify the appropriate mathematical method independently. This develops flexible problem solving rather than reliance on questions being organised into familiar topics.
Verbal Reasoning Preparation
Verbal Reasoning requires both reasoning technique and strong vocabulary. Children should learn reliable approaches to word, letter, code and logical reasoning questions rather than simply memorising answers to familiar examples.
Vocabulary should be developed systematically and revised regularly because unfamiliar words can make otherwise manageable reasoning questions much harder.
Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning Preparation
Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning reward careful, systematic observation. Children should learn to examine characteristics such as shape, number, position, direction, rotation, reflection and shading.
The aim is to develop a method which can be applied to unfamiliar visual problems rather than depending on whether a child recognises a previously practised question type.
Writing Preparation
The Kent Test also contains a separate writing exercise, so children should have experience planning and completing a coherent piece of writing within a fixed period.
Preparation should develop organisation, vocabulary, sentence control, spelling and punctuation alongside the ability to generate ideas and structure them 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 11 Plus Course Should You Choose?
Learning Street offers three main GL preparation routes for children preparing for the Dartford Grammar School 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 contains a separate writing exercise, families can supplement their main GL preparation with Learning Street’s Creative Writing Course where additional writing work is required.
The most suitable main programme depends mainly 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 is designed for families with enough time to build core skills carefully before progressing through revision and increasingly timed work.
The programme covers Vocabulary, English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning and provides a structured route rather than requiring parents to assemble preparation from unrelated books and papers.
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 provides a shorter structured preparation route for families with less time available.
It continues to cover the major areas needed for GL-style 11 Plus preparation while combining learning, practice, revision and timed work into a shorter programme.
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 our shortest full preparation route and is designed for families beginning focused Dartford Grammar School 11 Plus preparation later.
It concentrates the most important learning and timed practice 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 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 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 preparation through books, tutoring or another programme but now need a more structured period of revision.
It should not normally be completed after one of Learning Street’s Complete, Enhance or Boost routes 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 Admissions Information
This Learning Street page is designed as an evergreen Dartford Grammar School 11 Plus preparation guide. It focuses on the Kent Test, preparation, Learning Street mock exams and course choices rather than annual dates, changing thresholds or other admissions information.
For general questions about the 11 Plus, preparation and Learning Street courses:
