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

​Invicta Grammar School is a prominent selective grammar school for girls situated in Maidstone, Kent. Established in 2011, this academy educates over 1,600 students aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Recognised as one of the best grammar schools in UK, Invicta School holds an Ofsted Rating of "Outstanding". The school fosters a supportive, aspirational culture that consistently delivers exceptional academic outcomes for its pupils.

Invicta School stands out for its prestigious World School status and leadership as a UK representative in the World School International Forum. Its specialist Business and Enterprise focus embeds commercial thinking across learning, while the POP programme offers 80+ electives to build leadership and enterprise skills.

In this guide, I apply 6+ years of education consultancy to help parents navigate Invicta Grammar School 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions with confidence.

School Details

• Type of School: Academy (Grammar)
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
  
• Gender Type: Girls (Mixed Sixth Form)
  
• Religion: None
  
• Age Range: 11-18
  
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1670+
  
• GCSE Results (2025): 60% achieved Grade 9-7 (A*-A equivalent)
• A-Level Results (2025): 79% achieved A*-A

Year 7 Admissions Details

•  Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective
  
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 240
  
• 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%(Standardized score 332)

Staying organized with the Invicta Grammar School admissions timeline is essential for a successful application. I have compiled the definitive schedule of Invicta Grammar School 11 plus exam dates, including the vital Kent 11+ exam date 2025 details, to ensure you never miss a deadline.

Below, you will find the confirmed 11 plus exam dates and the Invicta Grammar School open day schedule. These dates are arranged chronologically to help you plan the academic year.

Admissions to Invicta School for Year 7 are coordinated by the Kent Local Authority. To be considered for a place, your daughter must pass the 11+ Exam, commonly known as the Kent Test.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

• Parents must register their child for the test directly through the Kent County Council website.
  
• 11 plus exam registration typically opens on Monday 2 June 2025 and closes strictly on Tuesday 1 July 2025.
  
• The 11 plus exam process requires this specific registration; completing the school application later is not sufficient for test entry.
  
• Testing takes place in September 2025 for students entering Year 7 in September 2026.

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Submitting the Common Application Form (SCAF)

• After the test, you must apply for a school place via your home Local Authority Admissions Portal.
  
• You must explicitly name Invicta Grammar School as a preference on this form.
  
• The national deadline to submit your SCAF is Friday 31 October 2025.
  
• For detailed oversubscription criteria, please refer to the Invicta Grammar School Admissions Policy.

The Invicta Grammar School Catchment Area is not defined by a fixed geographical map but operates on a distance-based criteria. As stated in the Invicta Grammar School Admissions Policy, places are allocated based on proximity after high-priority categories are filled. This creates a dynamic 11+ exam catchment zone that changes annually.

For successful candidates who pass the 11 plus test, the school prioritises applications in the following order:

• Looked After Children: Children currently or previously in state care are given first priority.
  
• Sibling Link: Children with a sister attending the school at the time of entry.
  
• Health and Special Access: Children with specific medical or social needs evidenced by a professional.
• Distance: Remaining seats go to students living closest to the school.

When determining the Invicta School Catchment Area cut-off, distance is measured in a direct "as the crow flies" line. This runs from the child’s permanent residence to the designated school reference point using Local Authority coordinates.

Parents researching the School catchment area should note that near-miss applicants are placed on a waiting list. This list is re-ranked whenever a new applicant joins, solely based on the oversubscription criteria, not the date of application.

As stated in the Invicta Grammar School Admissions Policy, applicants must register for the Kent Test (PESE) to be considered for a place. This assessment is designed to measure a child's suitability for a grammar school education using GL assessment 11 plus materials. The examination consists of two main papers and a writing exercise tailored to filter candidates for Invicta School.

Parents often ask what is in the 11 Plus exam for this school. The test assesses 11+ English, Mathematics, and Reasoning skills through multiple-choice questions. Familiarising your child with the timing and layout of these papers is essential for success in the Invicta Grammar School 11 Plus Test.

Exam Details

Parent’s Top 4 Queries

Does the writing task count towards the final score?

No, the creative writing exercise is not machine-marked but may be used by the headteacher during panel reviews for borderline cases or appeals.

Is there a separate maths paper?

Yes, Mathematics is assessed alongside English in the first test paper, while Reasoning is tested separately.

What exam board does Invicta School follow?

GL Assessment (Kent PESE)

How long is the 11+ Exam for Invicta School?

Approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes total.

Important Note for Parents - OMR Sheet Guidance

Kent test 2025 uses an Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheet for the main papers. Ensure your child marks the answer box with a heavy horizontal line using a pencil, as incomplete or faint marks may not be registered by the computer scanner.

To join Invicta School, students must achieve the qualifying score determined by the Kent County Council. The specific Kent test pass mark percentage adjusts yearly depending on overall pupil performance across the county.
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Recent qualifying thresholds include:

• 2025 Entry: Aggregate 332+ (minimum 108 in each section).
• 2024 Entry: Aggregate 332+ (minimum 107 in each section).

Meeting these standards in the Invicta Grammar School Admissions Policy does not guarantee a spot due to high demand. Excellent 11 plus exam results are vital for success

Invicta Grammar School is a "Gold Standard" choice for girls in the Maidstone area. However, with hundreds of applicants for limited places, relying on a single option is unwise.

I have advised Kent parents for nearly two decades. I consistently recommend a portfolio approach: target three Grammar schools and two Private schools.

This strategy protects your daughter against exam day volatility. It ensures she secures a place in an elite learning environment, regardless of the Kent Test outcome.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

Families targeting Invicta typically look at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls for state backup. For private options, Sutton Valence and Kent College are the primary contenders.

Why these schools are the top alternatives

• ​Maidstone Grammar School for Girls (MGGS): This is the most logical alternative due to proximity. It uses the same GL Assessment (Kent Test), meaning no additional exam preparation is required.
  
• Tonbridge Grammar School (TGS): Ideally suited for very high achievers. It is an IB World School and is "super-selective," often requiring scores significantly above the standard pass mark.
  
• Sutton Valence School: A robust independent option offering a co-educational environment. Their admissions process is holistic, looking at potential beyond just raw test scores through interviews.
  
• Kent College Pembury: Offers a nurturing girls-only environment similar to Invicta. It is known for strong pastoral care and a "growth mindset" approach to academic success.
  

According to the National School Census, competition for places at Invicta School remains consistently high. For the last three years, there have been approximately three applications for every single place available in Year 7.

Admissions Number (PAN) of 240. This means over 700 students compete annually for a limited number of seats.

Invicta School continues to be a popular choice, with a 18% oversubscription rate recorded in 2025.

How hard is it to get into Invicta Grammar School?

​Parents often ask me, "Is Invicta Grammar School hard to get into?" and the answer lies in preparation.

While the statistics seem daunting, success is manageable with a solid, targeted strategy.

You must ensure your daughter is fully prepared for the eleven plus exam to secure her place.

Keep reading to uncover the 11+ Exam Format.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths topics

Our analysis of the Kent test 2025 past papers reveals a distinct topic weighting for the 11+ Maths exam. This breakdown clearly shows that Numbers and Geometry account for over half of the expected questions in this assessment.

Try our 11+ maths topic-wise Questions with more than 15,000+ Questions. It includes the complete 11+ Maths Past Papers planner and Worksheets to assist your child's preparation.

Analysis of 11+ Exam English topics

Based on the analysis, Reading Comprehension (45%) and Vocabulary (35%) are critical areas for the English paper. Parents should ensure their children practice with 11+ english past papers to master these sections.

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Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

Analysis of 11+ verbal reasoning exam past papers for Invicta Grammar School shows that Making Words and Missing Words are primary focus areas. These topics collectively account for a significant portion of the total marks.

Elevate your score with our Verbal Reasoning resources. These include comprehensive practice on codes and word meanings, trusted by thousands of students.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Non-Verbal Reasoning topics

Analysis of 11+ non verbal reasoning past papers for the Kent 11 Plus exam shows that Spatial Reasoning and Analogies are critical. Every section is equally important for securing a high score in the reasoning paper.

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

Our targeted 11 plus practice papers are based on the actual questions of top schools. We recommend the following resources for the Invicta Grammar School 11+ exam.

Our 11+ comprehension papers and other resources are essential for success. You can also download free 11 plus papers with answers (pdf) to test your current level. Prepare thoroughly with our Kent test practice papers and creative writing 11 plus guides to ensure you are ready for exam day.

Invicta Grammar School is exceptionally competitive, making consistent practice essential for success. Sitting an Invicta Grammar School 11 plus mock exam allows students to familiarise themselves with the specific exam format. These 11 plus mock tests effectively identify weak areas and improve speed under simulated exam conditions.

As Invicta School uses GL Assessment, we recommend the following resources:

Parents can access our 11 plus mock test papers pdf free to evaluate their child's current level. Booking an 11 plus mock test Kent session ensures students handle the pressure of this selective Maidstone school.

• Autumn Half Term 1: Tuesday 1^st September 2026 to Friday 16^th October 2026
  
• Autumn Half Term 2: Monday 2^nd November 2026 to Friday 18^th December 2026
  
• Spring Half Term 1: Tuesday 5^th January 2027 to Friday 12^th February 2027
  
• Spring Half Term 2: Monday 22^nd February 2027 to Thursday 25^nd March 2027
  
• Summer Half Term 1: Monday 12^th April 2027 to Friday 28^th May 2027
  
• Summer Half Term 2: Monday 7th June 2027 to Wednesday 14^th July 2027
  

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