parent guides

Kent Test pass mark explained: 345, standardised scores and what to aim for

There is no simple percentage pass mark. Here's how Kent Test scoring actually works - the 345 aggregate, the per-subject minimum, and what counts as a strong score.

Reviewed 15 October 2026 against kent.gov.uk

The short answer

In the most recent cycle (the 2026 threshold, confirmed with results on 15 October 2026, for September 2027 entry), children needed anaggregate score of 345 or more, with no single subject score below 111, to be assessed as suitable for grammar school - full breakdown in our 2026 results analysis. Individual subject scores run from 69 to 141, so the maximum possible aggregate is 423. Kent County Council confirms the threshold each October when results are released - it has moved between cycles (the 2025 threshold was 332 with a subject floor of 108), so treat 345/111 as the latest published benchmark rather than a guaranteed future figure.

Why there's no percentage pass mark

The Kent Test doesn't report percentages. Raw marks are converted into age-standardised scores (SAS), which account for how difficult that year's paper was, how the whole cohort performed, and your child's exact age - so an August-born child isn't disadvantaged against September-born classmates. A "75% in a mock" can convert to very different standardised scores in different years. That's why chasing a percentage is misleading, and why tracking standardised scores over time is the meaningful measure.

How the scores fit together

For context, 100 is the cohort average on each subject. To reach a 345 aggregate you're typically averaging about 115 per subject - comfortably above average across the board, not just strong in one area. And the per-subject minimum matters: a huge maths score cannot rescue an English score below the floor. Balance wins.

Passing is not the same as getting a place

Meeting the threshold makes your child eligible for Kent grammar schools - it doesn't assign one. Each school applies its own oversubscription criteria (distance, siblings, catchment). Most schools then fill from the eligible pool by distance, but super-selective schools such as The Judd School, The Skinners' School and Tonbridge Grammar rank by score - where competitive scores in recent years have sat well above 380. (See which schools work which way in our complete guide to all 32 Kent grammar schools.) Practical targets:

Borderline scores and headteacher assessment

Scores just below the threshold can still be reviewed through the headteacher assessment process: the primary school submits academic evidence, which is considered alongside the test result before a final decision. It's a genuine second look, not a formality - but it's also not something to plan around. The full process, plus the spring appeal route, is in our appeals and HTA guide.

Common questions