Families who registered online will be sent an email from Kent County Council (KCC) after 4pm today (Thursday 16 October) detailing the outcome of their child’s assessment. Those who registered online can also log on after 5pm today and view their child’s result and scores.
Due to the high volumes of emails being sent, there may be a delay in the delivery of the emails to personal email accounts; this is outside the council’s control. Letters will be sent by first class post to families who did not supply a valid email address when they applied.
This year a total of 16,876 children sat the Kent Test – 11,248 who live in the county and the remainder from other local authority areas. Of the Kent children who sat the Test, 5,035 were assessed as being suitable for grammar school.
““Kent has a wide range of successful secondary schools – selective and non-selective – and I would encourage families whose children did not achieve the Kent Test results they were hoping for to consider all options open to them.”
Beverley Fordham, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills said: “I know how important this day is to so many young people and I would like to say a huge well done to everyone who sat the Kent Test this year.
“Kent has a wide range of successful secondary schools – selective and non-selective – and I would encourage families whose children did not achieve the Kent Test results they were hoping for to consider all options open to them.
“The next step is applying for a secondary school. I would recommend families to make use of all four preferences to maximise the chance of securing a place at a school they are happy with.”
Secondary school applications for Kent residents are open now and close on Friday 31 October.
Receiving a selective assessment in the Kent Test does not guarantee a child a place at a Kent grammar school. It means they can be considered for any Kent grammar school their parents name on the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF) on National Offer Day (Monday 2 March, 2026). Places will be offered in line with each school’s admissions criteria, which can be found by visiting our website.
KCC anticipates that the Kent children who have been assessed as being suitable for a grammar school will, in most cases, enjoy priority for the 5,819 places available in the county over pupils from other authorities. Although KCC supports the rights of parents to make their own decisions in how to apply, the nature of the school admissions process means that most children will ultimately secure places in their own local authority area
Christine McInnes, KCC’s Director of Education, said: "I would like thank the school staff and KCC colleagues who dedicated valuable time and worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the Kent Test process runs smoothly and fairly for every pupil.”
Details of secondary schools in Kent and the Secondary Transfer process can be found by visiting our website.
Before deciding on their preferences, parents should consider how their child will get to school. KCC’s guidance on home-to-school transport shows what help may be available, and can be found by visiting our website.
Find out more about the secondary school application process.
Read guidance on which questions to ask when choosing an education setting.
For further advice call 03000 412121 or email kent.admissions@kent.gov.uk.
