Introduction
Dartford Grammar School is a selective grammar school for boys aged 11-18. Located in Kent, it educates approximately 1200 pupils and admits girls into its Sixth Form. Dartford Grammar is one of the oldest schools in England, catering for students in line with the motto Ora Et Labora (Pray and Work). [1]
Rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, the grammar gained academy status in 2011. Its pupils consistently achieve excellent exam results, benefitting from a broad and relevant provision that includes everything from computer science and art to Japanese to religious studies.
The co-curricular ethos is focused on providing for the cohort’s varied interests, hence the offering is rich and extensive. Some of the most popular activities, such as gardening, drama production, Eco Council, chess, guitar group and rugby, are aimed at maximising boys’ potential for the benefit of their future successes, supporting their growth well after they graduate. [2]
Dartford Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Information 2025
Address: West Hill, Dartford DA1 2HW
County: Kent
Admissions info: info@dartfordgrammarschool.org.uk, 01322 223039
School type: Boys’ grammar
Number of pupils: 1203 (approx.)
Number of places in Year 7: 180
Open Day date: June
Exam date: September 2025
Pass mark: Aim for 75% in our practice tests. See below for more details.
Exam type / Board: Kent 11 Plus (PESE) Test
Dartford Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Admissions
Year 7 admission to Dartford Grammar School is determined by pupil performance in the Kent 11+ exam. There are currently 180 places allocated to Year 7 students. The school encourages prospective students and their parents to attend Open Evening, which typically takes place in June. Staff provide guided tours and the Head will give a short speech to each group.
In case of oversubscription, Dartford Grammar School gives priority to:
- Children who are or were in Local Authority Care
- Recipients of Pupil Premium
- Students who scored highly in the Kent Test
A total of 90 places will be allocated to pupils living within the school’s catchment area in line with the above criteria. Also adhering to the above criteria, the remaining 90 places are available to all applicants regardless of their address. Please visit Dartford Grammar School’s website for more information about its admissions policy.
You can view the school’s exact location on the map below:
How to Apply for 11 Plus (11+) Entry to Dartford Grammar School
To apply for a Year 7 place at Dartford Grammar School, parents must first register their child for the Kent Test. They should also complete the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF) and state Dartford Grammar School as their child’s preferred school.
Does Dartford Grammar School belong to a Consortium?
Dartford Grammar School belongs to the Kent 11+ Consortium, a group of schools that use the same entrance exam format and share a very similar admissions process.
Does Dartford Grammar School have a catchment area?
Yes, Dartford Grammar School has a catchment area with priority based on location and distance from the school, which lies within the Dartford Electoral Wards: Brent, Bean and Darenth, Castle, Greenhithe, Heath, Joyce Green, Joydens Wood, Littlebrook, Longfield, New Barn & Southfleet, Newtown, Princes, Stone, Sutton-at-Hone and Hawley, Swanscombe, Town, West Hill and Wilmington.
Dartford Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Format
Kent is home to 35 wholly selective grammar schools and 4 partially selective schools, the majority of which use the Kent Test at 11 Plus level to allocate Year 7 places. The exam consists of tests in Reasoning, English and Maths and also includes a writing task.
Take a look at this breakdown of the exam format:
Section 1 – Reasoning: A one-hour exam that tests students’ reasoning abilities. The test is broken down into three shorter sections and focuses on Verbal Reasoning, Spatial Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Section 2 – English and Maths: A one-hour exam that is split into two sections. Each section has a 5-minute practice exercise and 25 minute test. The English section will test comprehension and literacy skills, while the Maths section will contain multiple choice questions covering a range of topics that pupils will have covered up to Year 6.
Section 3 – Writing: This 40-minute writing task will not be marked as part of the 11 Plus exam, but might be used in borderline cases, or by headteachers during the place allocation stage.
How to Prepare for the Dartford Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam?
To give your child the best possible chance of gaining a place at Dartford Grammar School, it’s worth establishing a balanced study plan with them. Regular revision, little and often, will give them a better chance of improving their exam technique, increasing their subject knowledge and learning how to perform well under exam conditions.
At Exam Papers Plus, we suggest using practice papers to help familiarise your child with the exam format and question types. In this way, you will reduce pre-exam stress, help your child overcome their nerves and ensure that they gain a significant advantage over other candidates.
Our practice tests include relevant, up-to-date questions and have helped hundreds of thousands of students improve their chances of passing the 11+ exam. They are easy to access and use, available for immediate download and print after purchase.
Dartford Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Pass Marks and Target Scores
Following the exam, your child will receive three standardised scores, one for English, one for Mathematics, and one total score including Reasoning. In order to pass the exam, your child’s standardised score must be over 109 and their total score must be 332 or more. [1]
Based on historical data, we have found that students who are able to score 75%+ consistently in our 11+ Kent practice tests are on track to pass the Dartford Grammar School Test.
Whilst there are no guarantees, this has historically been a fairly strong indicator that your child should do well in the Dartford Grammar School 11+ exam. Please click here to learn more.
Dartford Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Practice Exam Papers
We highly recommend the following resources that have been specifically designed for the Kent Test:
Pre-11+ Practice Tests
➢ The Kent Pre-11+ Practice Tests are designed for Year 4 and 5 students to introduce the exam format and boost their confidence. These tests are less challenging than the Kent 11+ Exam. They offer an accurate yet more straightforward representation of the actual exam, allowing students to familiarise themselves with exam specifics. This approach provides a solid foundation for students to progress to more challenging 11+ Practice Tests.
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PRE-11+ KENT TESTS 1-5 BUNDLE - SAVE 15%
PRE-11+ KENT TESTS 6-10 BUNDLE - SAVE 15%
Kent – Full Practice Tests
➢ The following practice tests are specifically designed to help your child prepare for the Kent Test. They provide excellent mock exam preparation, highlighting your child’s strengths and weaknesses:
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended full practice resources for the Kent 11+ Exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
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✅ Alternatively, you can choose a bundle of five of our recommended full practice tests for the Kent 11+ Exam, and still save 15%. Select the relevant bundle below to learn more:
11+ Kent Tests 1-5 Bundle - Save 15%
11+ Kent Tests 6-10 Bundle - Save 15%
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Kent – Subject specific practice
➢ The following 11+ resources provide full preparation for the English section of the Kent Test, maximising your child’s comprehension and writing skills:
English
Full Practice Tests
Skill specific practice
Masterclasses
Writing
If you’d like to have your child’s writing assessed and marked, you may be interested in our Writing Marking Service. Please click here to learn more.
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended resources for the English section of the Kent 11+ Exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
11+ Kent English Bundle
➢ The following 11+ resources extensively cover the Mathematics section of the Kent Test, allowing your child to thoroughly prepare for exam day:
Mathematics
Full Practice Tests
Skill Specific Practice
11+ Fractions, Decimals & Percentages
11+ Reflection, Rotation & Symmetry
Masterclasses
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended resources for the Maths section of the Kent 11+ Exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
11+ Kent Mathematics Bundle
➢ In order for your child to master Verbal Reasoning skills in the lead-up to the Kent Test, we recommend the following resources:
Verbal Reasoning
Full Practice Tests
Skill Specific Practice
Masterclasses
11+ Verbal Reasoning Masterclass
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended resources for the Verbal Reasoning section of the Kent 11+ Exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
11+ Kent Verbal Reasoning Bundle
➢ The following resources will help boost your child’s Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning abilities ahead of the Kent Test:
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Full Practice Tests
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning – Pack 1
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning – Pack 2
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning – Pack 3
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning – Pack 4
Skill Specific Practice
Masterclasses
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Masterclass
Spatial Reasoning
Full Practice Tests
11+ Spatial Reasoning – Pack 1
Skill Specific Practice
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended resources for the Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning section of the Kent 11+ Exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
11+ Kent NVR & SR Bundle - Save 35%
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Have you left your Dartford Grammar School 11 Plus exam preparation a little late? Don’t worry, take a look at our post Last Minute Preparation Tips for the 11 Plus Exam.
Our practice tests aim to show what sort of questions have been included in Dartford Grammar School 11+ past papers. The information provided about Dartford Grammar School is believed to be correct at the time of publishing. However, please be aware of future changes. We advise you to contact the school directly if you are unsure of anything. School contact details are provided within the article.
Please note that Exam Papers Plus is an independent publisher of practice tests and resources, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Dartford Grammar School.
Frequently Asked Questions About 11+ Entry to Dartford Grammar School
How old is Dartford Grammar School?
Dartford Grammar School was established in 1576.
Is Dartford Grammar School an academy?
Dartford Grammar School converted to academy status in 2010.
When are the Dartford Grammar School Open Days held?
Dartford Grammar School typically hosts Open Evening in June, welcoming prospective families on campus for a lively event packed with activities.
What are the admissions criteria for Dartford Grammar School?
Dartford Grammar School assesses prospective pupils through the standardised Kent Test (PESE), also used by other schools in the Kent Grammar School Consortium. The assessment covers English, Mathematics and Reasoning (Verbal, Non-Verbal and Spatial).
How do I register my child for the Dartford Grammar School 11+ test?
Parents applying to Dartford Grammar School must register their child for the 11+ exam using an online portal, which can be accessed through the Kent County Council website. Residents of Kent also need to state Dartford Grammar School as their preferred secondary school on the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF).
Can I apply for 11+ entry to a Kent school other than Dartford Grammar School?
Yes, you can apply for entry to up to four Kent grammar schools by naming them as preferences on the Secondary Common Application Form.
What’s the format of the Dartford Grammar School 11+ Exam?
All 11+ applicants for entry to Dartford Grammar School will be asked to sit the Kent (PESE) Test which tests English comprehension, Reasoning abilities and Mathematics. There will also be a creative writing paper, which isn’t marked for the purposes of the 11 Plus exam but may be used as evidence for borderline cases.
Is there Non-Verbal Reasoning in the Dartford Grammar School 11+ Exam?
Yes, the Dartford Grammar School 11+ entrance exam does test Non-Verbal Reasoning, combining it with Spatial Reasoning questions.
Is there any way to prepare for the Dartford Grammar School 11+ entrance examination?
One of the best ways to prepare for a challenging entrance exam, such as the Kent Test, is to use practice tests. They will provide your son with the opportunity to become familiar with the format and question types that he will encounter in the actual exam. Our practice papers are used successfully every year by hundreds of thousands of students targeting schools with a competitive entrance exam.
Which are the best preparation materials for the Dartford Grammar School 11+ entrance examination?
We recommend beginning with a few full practice tests, such as this one. These will act as diagnostics so you can quickly work out which areas your child needs to focus on. You can then select the relevant topic based material listed above to target weaker areas. Please get in touch if you need advice on how to prepare or what to focus on for each section and stage of the exam.
Where can I find the best 11+ Dartford Grammar School mock test?
Our 11+ Kent Practice Tests replicate the format and style of the actual exam, effectively preparing students for success in this competitive assessment. Each practice test is designed to mimic the full examination experience, covering relevant Maths, English and Reasoning question types. More details are available on this page.
What is the pass mark for the Dartford Grammar School 11+ Exam?
Historical data shows that most schools in the area do not admit applicants who have a standardised score of less than 109 and a total score of less than 332. Exam results from previous years suggest this correlates with a score of roughly 75%+ in our 11+ practice tests.