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

Gravesend Grammar School is a prestigious selective grammar school for boys situated in Gravesend, Kent. Founded in 1893, this institution educates over 1,200 students aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form). 

Known locally as GGS, it is widely cited among the best grammar schools in UK for its consistent academic excellence. The school holds an Ofsted Rating of "Outstanding", highlighting its exceptional teaching quality and student outcomes. 

Through its unique Milton Award framework, GGS provides a structured pathway for students to demonstrate elite academic effort and community-mindedness alongside a long-standing Combined Cadet Force (CCF) program. 

The school also champions excellence through the prestigious Tomori Award a £1,000 scholarship for outstanding Year 10 students while frequently competing in national rugby finals to balance rigorous scholarship with character development.

In this guide, I apply 18+ years of education consultancy to help parents navigate Gravesend Grammar School 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions with confidence.

School Details

• Type of School: Grammar / Academy Converter
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
  
• Gender Type: Boys (Co-educational Sixth Form)
  
• Religion: None
  
• Age Range: 11 to 18
  
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1200+
  
• Gravesend Grammar School GCSE Results (2025): 44% achieved Grade 7–9
  
• Gravesend Grammar School A-Level Results (2025): 63.5% achieved A*–B

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Year 7 Admissions Details

• Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective
  
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 210
  
• 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 90% (Standardised Score 332)

Navigating the secondary transfer process requires strict punctuality to secure a place. I have compiled the definitive calendar of Gravesend Grammar School 11 plus exam dates to guide you through the admissions year, covering everything from the GGS open day to the final 11+ Exam date. These 11 plus exam dates adhere to the Kent Test schedule used by the school.

Admission to Gravesend Grammar School is determined by the Kent Test selection procedure. Parents must navigate the 11 plus exam process carefully to secure a place for September 2026.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

• Complete the 11 plus exam registration for the Kent Test online via the Kent County Council website.
• Registration typically opens in early June 2025 and closes at midnight in early July 2025.
• Your son must pass this 11+ Exam to be eligible for consideration for a place.

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The Common Application Form (CAF)

• Submit the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF) to your home Local Authority.
• Kent residents should apply through the Kent Local Authority Admissions Portal.
• You must list GGS as one of your preferred schools on this application.
• The statutory deadline for the SCAF submission is 31^st October 2025.

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Admissions Policy & Requirements

• Refer to the Gravesend Grammar School Admissions Policy for detailed oversubscription criteria.
• A Supplementary Information Form is primarily required for those applying under Pupil Premium criteria.
• The school prioritises applicants who have a sibling attending the school at the time of entry.

Gravesend Grammar School does not define a single fixed map for its intake, but instead utilizes a tiered priority system based on administrative boundaries and distance. This creates a flexible, annual Gravesend Grammar School Catchment Area based on applicant location and the density of successful candidates.

As outlined in the Gravesend Grammar School Admissions Policy, once looked-after children and siblings are prioritized, places are allocated based on geographical zones. Within these zones, distance is the deciding factor, measured in a direct "as the crow flies" line from the child’s permanent residence to the school.

Allocation and Distance Criteria

The admissions process follows strict proximity rules to manage oversubscription:

• Priority Tiers: The school first prioritizes "Eligible Children" (those who passed the 11 plus test) living within the Borough of Gravesham, followed by specific Primary and Secondary Civil Parishes (such as Hartley, Bean, and Meopham).
• Final Entry Determination: Passing the 11 plus exam is the first step, but geographical proximity within your specific tier determines final entry for many students.
• Dynamic Radius: The effective 11+ exam catchment zone fluctuates annually. This dynamic radius acts as the GGS Catchment Area, often extending to cover the local borough and surrounding villages depending on the number of qualifying applicants.
• Precision Measurement: Local GGS applicants should monitor these distance trends closely, as the school utilizes the National Land and Property Gazetteer for highly precise measurements.

As stated in the Gravesend Grammar School Admissions Policy, the school participates in the Co-ordinated Admissions Scheme run by Kent County Council. To secure a place for September 2026, students must pass the Gravesend Grammar School 11 Plus Test, officially known as the Kent Test. The assessment is designed to assess a child's suitability for a grammar school education.

The Kent Test (11+ Exam) Details

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Parent’s Top 4 Queries

Does GGS set its own exam?

No, admission is based strictly on the Kent test (PESE), which covers 11+ English, Maths, and Reasoning.

How are scores used?

The school uses an aggregate standardised score derived from the Kent 11 plus test results to rank applicants, with no separate "Stage Two" exam.

What exam board does GGS follow?

GL Assessment (Kent Grammar Schools)

How long is the 11+ Exam for GGS?

The English/Maths paper is 1 hour; Reasoning paper is 1 hour.

Important Note for Parents - OMR Sheet Guidance

The GL assessment format relies on separate optical mark recognition (OMR) answer sheets. Ensure your child understands they must mark a firm horizontal line in the correct box and erase completely if they change an answer, as stray marks can affect the automated scoring.

Gravesend Grammar School (GGS) assesses applicants using the Kent Test (PESE). To be eligible for a place, students must meet the required standard defined in the Gravesend Grammar School Admissions Policy.

Historical Kent Test Thresholds

• 2025 Entry: Aggregate score 332+ (minimum 108 per section).
• 2024 Entry: Aggregate score 332+ (minimum 107 per section).

Strong 11 plus exam results are vital as the school is often oversubscribed. Comprehensive practice helps students comfortably exceed the Kent test pass mark percentage.

Gravesend Grammar School (GGS) is a premier destination for boys' education in Kent. However, with hundreds of applicants competing for limited places, the admissions math is incredibly tough. Most high-achieving students will need a brilliant backup.

I have coached students for over 18 years in the UK education sector. In that time, I have seen families focus solely on GGS, only to be caught off guard by tight catchment rules. I always advise parents to keep a portfolio of three Grammar options and two Private options.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

When families target GGS, they typically look at the Dartford Consortium for state options and the Rochester/Canterbury corridor for private backups. Here is how the top alternatives compare to the standard:

Why these schools are the top alternatives to Gravesend Grammar School

• Dartford Grammar School: This is the "Gold Standard" alternative. It shares the same GL Assessment board (Kent Test) as GGS, meaning one exam covers both applications. Its International Baccalaureate curriculum produces exceptional global results.
• Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School: Known locally as "The Math School," this Rochester-based grammar is a fantastic parallel option. It focuses heavily on STEM subjects and consistently outperforms many local rivals in A-Level metrics.
• Wilmington Grammar School for Boys: Located near Dartford, WGSB is an excellent choice for parents seeking a supportive grammar environment. It places a unique emphasis on engineering and enterprise, offering a distinct pathway compared to the traditional GGS route.
• King’s School Rochester: For families seeking a holistic private backup, King’s offers world-class pastoral care. As the second-oldest school in the world, it provides a rich history and smaller class sizes that large grammar schools cannot match.
• St Olave's Grammar School: Located in Orpington (Bromley). This is one of the most selective schools in the UK. Their SET (Selective Eligibility Test) is significantly harder than the Kent Test and requires bespoke preparation.

According to the National School Census, competition for a place at this school is consistently high. Over the last three years (2022–2025), there have been between three and four applications for every single available place.

This volume of applicants confirms that a casual approach to the eleven plus exam will not suffice. Comprehensive, targeted preparation is essential to ensure your son stands out at GGS.

Source: National School Census.

Gravesend Grammar School remains consistently oversubscribed, with a significant 40% oversubscription rate in 2025.

How hard is it to get into Gravesend Grammar School?

Parents often come to me and ask, “Is Gravesend Grammar School hard to get into?” and worry about the statistics. Based on my experience, while the competition is intense, success is a manageable outcome.

With a solid, targeted strategy, navigating the admissions process is a predictable, winnable challenge. Keep reading to understand the Gravesend Grammar School Admissions Policy and the exam format needed to secure your son’s place.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths topics

Our analysis of the Gravesend Grammar School 11+ exam past papers reveals a distinct topic weighting for the entrance test. This breakdown clearly shows that Numbers and Geometry account for the majority of questions in the 11 plus maths papers. Students must demonstrate strong arithmetic and spatial awareness to succeed.

Try our topic-wise questions to strengthen these areas. Our resources include comprehensive planners and worksheets used by thousands of successful students.

Analysis of 11+ Exam English topics

Based on the exam analysis, Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary are the most critical areas. The 11 plus english paper requires students to infer meanings and understand context deeply. Grammar and punctuation are also assessed to ensure high literacy standards.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

Analysis of 11+ verbal reasoning papers for Gravesend Grammar School shows that Coding and Word Meanings are primary focus areas. These topics collectively account for approximately half of the total marks in the reasoning section.

Elevate your score with our comprehensive Verbal Reasoning resources. This pack includes detailed answer hints to master key topics like Word Meanings and Codes.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Non-Verbal Reasoning topics

The 11 plus non verbal reasoning section focuses heavily on Spatial Reasoning and logical patterns. Our data shows that 2D Views of 3D Shapes and Analogies are essential for securing a high score in the Kent 11 plus test.

Prepare for success with our targeted questions across expert-designed practice papers. These resources provide instant access to 3D Shapes guides and structured exam planners.

Which are the Best (11 plus) 11+ Practice Papers for Gravesend Grammar School?

Our targeted 11+ practice papers and Kent test practice papers are based on actual questions from top schools. These resources help students familiarise themselves with the exam pattern well in advance. We recommend the following resources for the Kent Test used by Gravesend Grammar School.

Gravesend Grammar School is highly selective, making rigorous preparation essential for securing a place. Sitting an 11 plus mock test helps your son familiarise himself with the specific exam format used in the Kent Test. These sessions are vital for identifying weak areas and improving speed under timed conditions.

As GGS uses GL Assessment, we recommend these resources to mirror the challenge:

Parents can access our free 11 plus mock test to evaluate their child's current level. Securing an 11 plus mock test Kent ensures students can handle the pressure of this region's assessment. Success in the Gravesend Grammar School 11 plus mock exam requires dedicated effort and strategy.

• Autumn Half Term 1: 2^nd September 2026 to 16^th October 2026
• Autumn Half Term 2: 2^nd November 2026 to 18^th December 2026
• Spring Half Term 1: 4^th January 2027 to 12^th February 2027
• Spring Half Term 2: 22^nd February 2027 to 25^th March 2027
• Summer Half Term 1: 12^th April 2027 to 28^th May 2027
• Summer Half Term 2: 7^th June 2027 to 22^nd July 2027

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

Navigating the 11+ grammar school entry requires coordinating with your local authority and understanding specific exam formats. Here are the essential, official resources to help you prepare your application for Gravesend Grammar School.

• Kent Test Familiarisation Materials
• UK Govt. - Get Information on Gravesend Grammar School Page
• Gravesend Grammar School Ofsted Report
• Gov.UK Find your Local Council Page
• Gravesend Grammar School Admissions Policy
• UK Govt. - Schools, pupils and their characteristics data