Barton Court Grammar School

Barton Court participates in the Kent Test, which means your child will sit GL Assessment papers in Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Maths, and English. This is a consortium exam used across Kent, not a bespoke paper unique to the school. The exam follows standard GL timings, and most well-prepared children report managing the time pressure reasonably well — it's less rushed than some of the more selective Kent grammar schools.

Compared to other Kent grammar schools, Barton Court is considered one of the more accessible options. The Maths paper is straightforward and follows predictable GL formats, so solid Key Stage 2 curriculum knowledge is usually enough. However, the English and Verbal Reasoning sections do require careful preparation. Vocabulary is moderately challenging — tutors recommend building up Tier 2 vocabulary knowledge — and the English comprehension passages include inference questions that need more than surface-level reading.

To prepare, focus on building vocabulary knowledge and practising inference-style reading comprehension questions. The standard GL familiarisation materials from Kent County Council are a good starting point. You should check the school's admissions pages for the exact registration deadline (typically late June for a September sitting) and any additional information they provide about the exam format.