Selection Tests
Information & Guidance for the Selection Tests
The Kent Test
The statutory admission process in Kent is that students who wish to be considered for entry to Year 7 in September into any selective school should take the Kent Test and their parents then have to complete a Secondary Common Application Form. The Kent Test comprises English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning papers and a piece of writing, which is taken into account should there be a Headteacher Appeal.
Once a student has taken the Kent Test, it is marked and the primary school Headteachers are notified of the scores for their students. If a student has not been assessed as selective but their Headteacher thinks that they should have been deemed selective the Headteacher can appeal on the student’s behalf. A panel of Headteachers then assesses the student’s work and the written work that was submitted for the Kent Test and they determine whether or not the student should be assessed as selective.
Hence the eligibility for a grammar school place across Kent is determined by the Kent Test and/or the Headteacher Appeal, where this has been carried out.
For information on the Kent Test:
https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-places/kent-test#tab-1
The Shepway Test
In addition, The Folkestone School for Girls, alongside The Harvey Grammar School, run ‘The Shepway Test’.
The Shepway Test effectively gives students a second chance to show that they are of selective ability.
The Shepway Test in the main is a computer-based test which assesses Non-Verbal Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Mathematics and English. There is also a handwritten creative writing test, which forms part of the overall assessment of ability.
We can only allow reasonable adjustments that are authorised by KCC for the Kent Test. Your daughter’s primary school will apply for these. If the reasonable adjustments are authorised by KCC, please send a copy of that letter to email: [email protected], by 1st September 2026.
The Shepway test for girls is held at the Folkestone School for Girls and at Harvey Grammar School for the boys.
Students only have to achieve the required standard in either the Kent Test or the Shepway Test in order to be deemed selective.
The Shepway Test Format
To make sure children go into their assessment feeling confident, there is a short new familiarisation assessment on the link below.
These questions give children an opportunity to become familiar with the format and style of the questions in their assessment. We strongly advise that parents and carers share this with their daughter, even if they have completed the old familiarisation test.
Written test
The written test consists of the following elements:
- Half an hour of creative writing
Computer test
The computer test consists of the following elements:
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning
- Maths
- English