Gravesend Grammar School

Gravesend Grammar School is a selective boys' grammar school in Kent that uses the Kent Test, a county-wide exam administered by GL Assessment. Your son will sit three multiple-choice papers: Verbal Reasoning (50 minutes, 80 questions), Mathematics (50 minutes, 50 questions), and English (50 minutes, 50 questions). There is no separate Non-Verbal Reasoning paper, though some spatial reasoning may appear within the other sections. The total exam time is approximately 150 minutes.

Selection is based on a Standardised Age Score (SAS) rather than a fixed pass mark, and places are ranked by performance. The registration deadline is typically late June or early July of Year 5, with testing in September of Year 6. You should check the school's official admissions policy for the most up-to-date information about places available and how selection works.

What to focus on in preparation: Vocabulary is a real differentiator for this exam. Children who read widely and are familiar with academic vocabulary tend to do better, particularly in Verbal Reasoning synonym and antonym questions. The English comprehension section requires more than just finding facts in the text — your son will need to make inferences and understand the author's intent. Time pressure is moderate but noticeable, especially in English, so practising under timed conditions is important. Mathematics follows the standard GL format and is generally considered fair and predictable, so it's less of a worry than the other sections.

Standard GL practice materials are a good foundation, but local tutors recommend extra focus on inference skills for reading comprehension and building vocabulary through wide reading. Most children who have practised properly under timed conditions manage to finish the papers, though with little time left for checking.