Dartford Grammar School (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

Dartford Grammar School is a leading selective grammar school for boys located in Dartford, Kent. Established in 1576, it provides exceptional education to 1,500+ students aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Recognised among the best grammar schools in the UK, the dartford grammar school for boys is famous for its academic success. Its Ofsted Rating is "Outstanding," reflecting its high educational standards.

Dartford grammar school for boys is distinctively recognised as The Sunday Times IB School of the Decade. Beyond standard curricula, it champions the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme and holds prestigious status as a Confucius Classroom for Mandarin excellence.

In this guide, I streamline Dartford Grammar School 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions for parents, drawing on 18+ years of education consultancy.

School Details

• Type of School: Grammar (Academy Converter)
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
• Gender Type: Boys (Co-educational in Sixth Form)
• Religion: None
• Age Range: 11-18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1550+
• Dartford Grammar School GCSE Results (2025): 80.7% achieved Grades 9-7
• Dartford Grammar School IB/A-Level Results (2024): Average IB Point Score 36.5 (Equivalent to 86% A*-B at A-Level)

Year 7 Admissions Details

• Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 180
• Exam Board: GL Assessment (Kent Test)
• Number of Stages: 1
• School Catchment Area: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Sibling Policy: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Pass Mark: Aim for aggregate score of 332 or higher

Admissions to Dartford grammar school for boys are coordinated through the Kent County Council’s procedure. As one of the most competitive grammar schools in Kent, strict adherence to deadlines is essential for the September 2026 intake.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

Parents must complete two separate applications to ensure their son is considered for a place. Failure to complete the 11 plus exam process correctly will result in a missed opportunity.

The Kent Test Registration:

• Registration for the 11+ Exam is managed by the Kent County Council (KCC).
• You must register your son via the Kent County Council website.
• Registration typically opens in early June 2025 and closes in early July 2025.
• This step allows your child to sit the eleven plus exams in September.

The Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF):

• Parents must also apply via their home Local Authority using the SCAF.
• You must name Dartford Grammar School as a preference on this form.
• London residents should use the Pan London eAdmissions System.
• The national closing date for the SCAF is 31 October 2025.

Please review the official Dartford Grammar School Admissions Policy for specific oversubscription criteria.

​The Dartford Grammar School Catchment Area employs a unique dual-criteria allocation system. As stated in the Dartford Grammar School Admissions Policy, 90 places are reserved specifically for local residents.

To qualify for these local seats, applicants must reside within the designated School catchment area. This zone comprises specific electoral wards and parishes across Dartford and Sevenoaks.

Included Parishes and Towns:

• Ash-cum-Ridley, Bean, Darenth, and Dartford
• Fawkham, Hartley, Hextable, and Horton Kirby
• Longfield, New Ash Green, South Darenth, and Stone
• Sutton-at-Hone, Swanscombe, and Wilmington

Conversely, the remaining 90 places are awarded based solely on the highest 11 plus test scores. Consequently, the effective 11+ exam catchment for these "open" seats extends to any applicant, regardless of address.

Dartford Grammar school for Boys Catchment Area

For oversubscribed local places, distance is measured in a straight line from the child’s home to the school. The school prioritizes those living closest within the defined zones

As stated in the Dartford Grammar School Admissions Policy, entry is determined by performance in the Kent Test. This assessment is designed to select boys who are suitable for a grammar school education. Given the popularity of dartford grammar school for boys, simply passing the test is often insufficient; high aggregate scores are typically required.

11+ Exam Details

The Kent test 2025 consists of two multiple-choice papers and a written exercise. The English and Maths paper assesses core skills, while the Reasoning paper evaluates logical thinking. The tests are age-standardised to ensure fairness.

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Important Note for Parents - OMR Sheet Guidance

The GL assessment papers use a separate Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheet. Ensure your child marks a clear horizontal line inside the correct box, as stray marks or incomplete erasures can lead to the machine rejecting the answer.

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Parent’s Top 2 Queries

Does Dartford Grammar School have its own entrance exam? 

No, admission is based entirely on the Dartford Grammar School 11 Plus Test, which is the Kent Test (PESE).

Is the writing task marked? 

The writing exercise is not machine-marked but is vital for headteacher appeals or borderline decisions.

What exam board does Dartford Grammar School follow?

GL Assessment Kent Grammar Schools (Kent PESE)

How long is the 11+ Exam for Dartford Grammar School?

The tests take approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes total.

​To secure a place at Dartford grammar school for boys, students must pass the Kent Test (PESE). The qualifying score is determined annually by Kent County Council.

Recent Kent Test Pass Marks

• 2024 Entry: Total 332+ (min 107 per paper)
• 2023 Entry: Total 332+ (min 109 per paper)

​Meeting the Dartford Grammar School Admissions Policy criteria requires these minimum 11 plus exam results. However, admission is competitive. Comprehensive preparation ensures students score well above the cutoff in the eleven plus exam.

​Dartford Grammar School is the "Gold Standard" for boys' education in Kent and South East London. However, with thousands of applicants competing for just 180 places, the acceptance rate is incredibly low. A single bad day during the Kent Test can derail admission chances.

I have advised parents in this region for over 18 years. I consistently see families rely too heavily on Dartford, leaving them vulnerable if scores fall short. I strongly recommend a strategy of 3 Grammar options and 2 Private options. This ensures your son secures an elite education, even if Dartford is not the final outcome.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

When families target Dartford Grammar, they typically look at other heavyweights in Kent and the Bexley/Bromley borders. Below is a comparison of the top strategic backups:

Why these schools are the top alternatives to Dartford Grammar School

• The Judd School (Tonbridge): Judd is often the primary parallel choice for high scorers. Like Dartford, it allocates places based on top scores in the Kent Test, making it a viable option for bright boys living further afield.
• St Olave’s Grammar School (Orpington): This is arguably the most competitive alternative. It sits just inside the London Borough of Bromley and uses its own highly rigorous SET exam, offering a second "super-selective" chance distinct from the Kent Test.
• Wilmington Grammar School for Boys: Located very close to Dartford, Wilmington is the sensible "local" grammar choice. It requires a pass in the Kent Test but is generally less score-intensive than Dartford, serving as a robust safety net.
• Eltham College: A leading independent day school in Mottingham. It offers excellent pastoral care and facilities, providing a less pressured but equally academic environment for boys who might prefer a broader curriculum.
• Sevenoaks School: For parents committed to the IB Diploma (which Dartford also offers), Sevenoaks is the premier independent alternative. It is world-renowned and provides a seamless cultural fit for families targeting an international outlook.

According to the National School Census, competition remains consistently intense at Dartford grammar school for boys. Recent data indicates that for the 2024 intake, there were approximately nine applications for every single place available. This high ratio confirms that securing one of the 180 places requires excellent preparation for the eleven plus exam.

Source: National School Census.

As stated in the Dartford Grammar School Admissions Policy, Dartford grammar school for boys saw a 360% oversubscription rate in 2024. These figures highlight the necessity of a targeted approach.

How hard is it to get into Dartford Grammar School?

Many concerned parents ask me, “Is Dartford Grammar School hard to get into?”

While the statistics seem daunting, I assure you that success is entirely manageable with a solid, targeted strategy.

Continue reading to uncover the details of the exam format and how to secure your son's place

​The 11+ entrance process for Dartford Grammar School follows the Kent Test format. This exam assesses a child's ability across four key areas required for a grammar school education.

Parents must register their son for the Kent test 2025 to be considered for admission. Our analysis of past trends helps you focus on the most vital topics for success.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths topics

Our analysis of the kent test practice papers indicates a strong emphasis on core mathematical concepts. The GL Assessment format used here tests speed and accuracy in equal measure.

We found that Number knowledge and Data Handling account for over half of the expected questions. Mastery of these 11+ maths topics is essential for a passing score.

To prepare effectively, we recommend the Kent Test (11+) 11 Plus Exam Practice Papers 2026. This resource covers the GL style questions specifically tailored for the Kent region.

Analysis of 11+ Exam English topics

Based on our review of 11 plus english questions suitable for the Kent Test, comprehension is the primary driver of marks. Students must read passages quickly and answer multiple-choice questions accurately.

Vocabulary knowledge is also tested rigorously within this section. Regular practice with 11+ english past papers can significantly improve a student's word bank and context skills.

We advise using the Kent Test (11+) 11 Plus Exam Practice Papers 2026 for targeted preparation. This pack includes 11 plus english papers designed to mimic the actual exam difficulty.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

The 11 plus verbal reasoning section is a critical component of the Dartford Grammar School selection process. Our data shows that logic-based questions and coding puzzles appear frequently.

Topics like Word Meaning and Making Words collectively account for a significant portion of the marks. Consistent practice with verbal reasoning 11+ past papers is the best way to master these patterns.

Elevate your child's score with our 11+ Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers. This comprehensive resource helps students decode complex questions found in the kent 11 plus test.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Non-Verbal Reasoning topics

The 11 plus non verbal reasoning paper tests a student's ability to solve problems using visual information. Spatial reasoning has become increasingly important in recent years for the Kent consortium.

Odd One Out and Analogies remain the most heavily weighted topics in this section. Students should use 11 plus non verbal reasoning papers pdf with answers to visualise these 2D and 3D shapes.

Prepare for success with our 11+ NVR Practice Papers. These papers provide the necessary practice to handle the spatial demands of the exam.

Which are the Best 11+ Practice Papers for Dartford Grammar School?

Parents often ask us which resources best mirror the actual exam. We strongly recommend the following packs which are specifically aligned with the kent schools examination board.

​Securing a place at Dartford grammar school for boys requires rigorous preparation and consistency. Sitting an 11 plus mock test allows students to practice speed and accuracy under pressure. This process helps highlight weak areas well before the real exam day.

Dartford Grammar School uses the GL Assessment board for the Kent Test. We recommend the following resources to mirror this specific challenge:

You can check out this free 11 plus mock test to identify your child’s current performance level. Finding a reliable 11 plus mock test Kent provider is beneficial for the Dartford Grammar School 11 plus mock exam experience.

• Autumn Half Term 1: 03^rd September 2025 to 24^th October 2025
• Autumn Half Term 2: 06^th November 2025 to 19^th December 2025
• Spring Half Term 1: 05^th January 2026 to 13^th February 2026
• Spring Half Term 2: 23^rd February 2026 to 02^nd April 2026
• Summer Half Term 1: 16^th April 2026 to 22^nd May 2026
• Summer Half Term 2: 01^st June 2026 to 17^th July 2026

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and Dartford Grammar School Official Website.