The Dartford 11+ is two papers of about an hour, covering verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and mathematics, with 100 marks per paper. Because the sections are timed, pace decides as much as ability. Prepare with full timed papers rather than topic worksheets, and confirm the current format on the school's own admissions page before buying practice material.

If you're contemplating Dartford Grammar School for your child's education, understanding the 11+ Secondary Transfer Test (STT) is crucial. This blog post will guide you through the exam format and offer tips on how to best prepare your child for success.

What Is the Exam Format?

The 11+ STT at Dartford Grammar School is designed to assess a range of skills across two papers, each lasting about an hour and structured in a multiple-choice format. Here’s what each paper entails:

What is verbal reasoning?

- Objective: To evaluate the ability to understand and manipulate written information.

- Topics Covered:

- Vocabulary

- Comprehension

- Logical reasoning

What is non-verbal reasoning?

- Objective: To assess the ability to interpret visual information.

- Topics Covered:

- Patterns

- Shapes

- Spatial relationships

What is mathematics?

- Objective: To test mathematical problem-solving skills.

- Topics Covered:

- Arithmetic

- Algebra

- Geometry

Each paper carries a maximum of 100 marks, making a total of 300 marks available. Achieving a high score is essential to meet the school’s admission criteria.

What are effective preparation strategies?

Preparing your child for the Dartford Grammar School 11+ STT requires a strategic approach. Here are some effective methods:

What is the regular study routine?

Establishing a consistent study schedule is foundational. Encourage your child to adhere to this routine diligently to build comfort and familiarity with the exam content.

How Do You Utilize Practice Exam Papers?

- Benefits:

- Simulate real exam conditions

- Familiarize with exam format and structure

- How to Use:

- Regular practice

- Review and analyze performance to identify improvement areas

What other resources help?

There are numerous resources available to aid your child’s preparation:

- Online Resources: Interactive and up-to-date.

- Books: Comprehensive coverage of topics.

- Past papers: Real exam questions from previous years.

- Recommended Series: The Bond 11+ series is highly regarded and tailored for the Dartford Grammar School 11+ STT.

How Do You Consider a Tutor?

Hiring a tutor can provide personalized support and address specific areas of need. A tutor can:

- Identify and target weaknesses

- Offer customized strategies and feedback

- Boost confidence through structured learning

What should you do next?

The Dartford Grammar School 11+ STT is a challenging but manageable hurdle with the right preparation. Through understanding the exam format and employing effective study strategies, your child can not only meet but exceed the necessary criteria. With dedication and the right resources, your child can thrive and potentially secure a place at Dartford Grammar School.

What else is worth reading?

What can this guide not tell you about a particular school?

There is no national 11+ exam. Each school or local authority sets its own test, dates and admissions criteria, and republishes them every year, so the detail here can go out of date within a cycle. Confirm against the school’s own admissions policy and gov.uk school admissions before you rely on any date.

Every school publishes its own rule, and the national position is short:

“All schools have admission criteria to decide which children get places.” — gov.uk, School admissions

Where can you check this at source?

There is no national 11+ exam. Each grammar school or local authority sets its own test, dates and admissions criteria, and publishes them in an admissions policy that changes year to year. Always confirm with the school directly, then check the national rules: