New provider appointed for Kent Test from 2027

Families preparing children for grammar-school places in Kent will be dealing with a different company running the Kent Test from 2027 — but Kent County Council says almost nothing else will change. Quest Assessments, operated by Atom Learning Ltd, has been appointed after a competitive procurement process, replacing GL Assessment whose contract could not be extended further.

The new arrangements kick in for children sitting the test in early September 2027, with secondary-school places from September 2028 at stake. Anyone who has already sat the test, or recently had results, is unaffected. Quest Assessments will work to the same specification as GL Assessment, maintaining the format parents and schools already know.

The Kent Test identifies children in the top 25% ability range who may be suited to grammar-school education. Head Teacher Assessment arrangements, access arrangements and reasonable adjustments for children who need them will all continue as before.

There is one honest caveat. The council does not rule out some differences in how individual questions look or are presented — that is down to Quest Assessments’ own design — but says it does not expect major changes. Familiarisation materials will still be provided for parents, pupils and schools ahead of the test.

Any future significant changes to the Kent Test would require a formal public consultation at least one year before the test takes place. The specific date for the September 2027 sitting will be confirmed when the 2028 Determined Scheme is published.

Key information

• The new provider, Quest Assessments (Atom Learning Ltd), takes over from 2027
• Children sitting the test in September 2027 will be the first affected — for school places from September 2028
• Children who have already sat the test are not affected
• Details for the 2027 sitting will be published in the 2028 Determined Scheme in due course