Kent College Dubai — UK 11 Plus Entrance Exam Preparation
Kent College Dubai is a well-respected British curriculum school with strong academic values and a close affiliation with Kent College Canterbury in the UK. Many families choose Kent College Dubai knowing that a future move to the UK (or a selective independent or grammar school application) is a real possibility.
For children aiming to join a top UK school, the 11 Plus entrance exam becomes a key milestone. This guide explains exactly what the 11 Plus involves, how Kent College Dubai students can prepare, and what parents should focus on to maximise their child’s chances of success.
Is Kent College Dubai a good starting point for UK 11 Plus preparation?
Kent College Dubai offers a strong, traditional British education that prepares students well for the core academic foundations of the UK system.
Strengths include:
A solid English and Maths curriculum
Warm, supportive teaching environment
A strong sense of discipline, character, and pastoral care
Extracurricular opportunities similar to UK private schools
Academic alignment with Kent College Canterbury in the UK
However, even with this good foundation, the UK 11 Plus requires advanced skills that go beyond the standard UAE curriculum.
The biggest gaps for Kent College students are typically:
High-level English comprehension
Detailed literary analysis
Fast-paced problem-solving for Maths
UK-style creative writing
Verbal & non-verbal reasoning (not taught in school)
Interview strategy and confidence
This means students aiming for competitive UK schools need specialised 11 Plus preparation alongside their normal schoolwork.
Do Kent College Dubai students need to take the UK 11 Plus?
Yes. Any child applying for a selective UK school (whether grammar or independent) must take an entrance exam.
Families at Kent College Dubai usually target one of two routes:
1. Grammar School 11+ Exams (State Selective Schools)
These include:
Kent Grammar Schools (super-selective & standard)
Colchester Royal Grammar
QE Boys
Kendrick
Slough/Reading Consortium
Sutton Grammar Schools
Tiffin Boys/Girls
Trafford Grammar Schools
The Kent Grammar Schools are a particularly common target because of the school’s heritage and family connections.
Grammar school exams typically include:
English
Maths
Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning
In Kent specifically: comprehension, writing & reasoning
2. Independent School Entrance Exams
For day and boarding schools such as:
Kent College Canterbury (linked school)
Harrow
Tonbridge
Sevenoaks
Wellington
St Paul’s Girls/Boys
Wycombe Abbey
Eton
Rugby
Cheltenham Ladies’ College
These typically test:
English comprehension
Creative writing
Mathematics
Reasoning
Interviews
Group tasks
Applying from overseas is very common—but requires thorough preparation.
What is the 11 Plus exam for students coming from Kent College Dubai?
The 11 Plus (11+) is taken in Year 6 and tests a mix of curriculum mastery, reasoning ability and exam technique.
Kent College Dubai follows the British curriculum, but the 11 Plus goes beyond classroom expectations, especially in:
English (Comprehension & Analysis)
Students must:
Analyse advanced texts
Understand figurative language
Explain author choices
Justify answers with evidence
Handle long-form written responses
Creative Writing
A major differentiator in independent school offers. Skills required include:
Sophisticated vocabulary
Atmospheric descriptive writing
Clear structuring and pacing
Dialogue, tone and voice
Writing fluently under timed conditions
Maths (Reasoning & Application)
More challenging than standard curriculum worksheets:
Multi-step word problems
Fractions, ratio & percentages
Algebra basics
Speed-based arithmetic
Geometry and measures
Logic problems
Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning (VR/NVR)
These are essential for grammar school entry and rarely taught at school.
Verbal Reasoning includes:
Word codes
Synonyms/antonyms
Logic-based vocabulary tasks
Word analogies
Letter patterns
Non-Verbal Reasoning includes:
Shape sequences
Rotations and reflections
2D/3D spatial puzzles
Pattern completion
Figure matrices
These sections reward fast thinking and repeated exposure.
Interviews & Group Assessments
Some independent schools require:
Discussion tasks
Problem-solving
Reading-based conversation
Personal questions
Academic thinking
Kent College students tend to speak confidently, but still need structured interview practice.
What level do Kent College students need for 11 Plus success?
To be competitive with UK-based applicants, students should aim for:
English
Above-average comprehension
Confident analysis
Rich vocabulary
Strong grammar
Ability to write 1+ pages in 25 minutes
Maths
Secure Year 6 curriculum mastery
Exposure to Year 7 standards
Fluent mental arithmetic
Logical reasoning speed
VR/NVR
Essential for grammar schools.
Exam Technique
Time management
Fast working
Accurate guessing strategies
Understanding mark scheme requirements
Top UK schools expect students to work 1 year ahead of standard UAE curriculum expectations.
What questions appear in the 11 Plus exams for Kent College Dubai families?
1. English Comprehension
Questions cover:
Author technique
Character analysis
Vocabulary in context
Evidence-based answers
Inference and deduction
2. Creative Writing
Typical tasks include:
Descriptive writing
Continuing a story
Writing from an image
Persuasive letter
Narrative openings
Quality and creativity matter more than length.
3. Maths Problem-Solving
Expect:
Multi-step questions
Ratio & fractions
Algebra intro
Geometry
Speed arithmetic
Complex word problems
4. Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning
Tests:
Logic
Pattern recognition
Word relationships
Spatial rotation
Matrix puzzles
This is new for many Kent College students—so early preparation is essential.
How should my child prepare for the UK 11 Plus from Kent College Dubai?
1. Begin early (ideally 12–24 months ahead)
UK families often prepare from Year 3.
2. Start with a diagnostic assessment
Identifies key strengths and weaknesses.
3. Build advanced English foundations
Focus on:
Comprehension technique
Complex texts
Vocabulary growth
Writing structure & style
4. Strengthen Maths reasoning
Go beyond worksheets to:
Multi-step problems
Algebra foundations
Ratio & proportion
Worded reasoning
5. Introduce VR/NVR regularly
Practice at least weekly.
6. Develop exam technique
Timing
Working efficiently
Accuracy under pressure
7. Prepare for interviews
Especially for top independent schools.
8. Complete timed 11 Plus mock exams
Essential for building stamina and real-world exam confidence.
When should Kent College Dubai families begin 11 Plus preparation?
Suggested timeline:
Year 4 – Light foundation & early exposure
Year 5 – Main 11 Plus programme
Year 6 – Intensive exam practice & interview coaching
For families moving to the UK or applying to UK schools from overseas, starting 12–18 months early gives the best outcomes.
FAQs for Kent College Dubai parents preparing for the UK 11 Plus
Is the 11 Plus difficult from abroad?
Only without UK-specific preparation.
Do Kent College Dubai students get into top UK schools?
Yes, many do, especially with structured preparation.
Is online preparation suitable?
It is usually the best option for UAE-based families.
Does my child need to be ahead in English?
Strong English is essential for independent schools.
Are interviews required?
Most independent schools and some grammar schools include interviews.
Supporting Kent College Dubai students aiming for UK 11 Plus success
Kent College Dubai provides an excellent academic environment, but the UK 11 Plus requires different skills, faster reasoning, and higher-level writing and comprehension than the standard UAE curriculum covers.
With structured preparation and expert guidance, students can confidently compete with UK-based applicants and secure places at top grammar and independent schools.
If you’re looking for support with:
11 Plus English
Creative Writing
Maths Problem-Solving
Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning
Interview Preparation
Full Mock Exams & Revision Courses
The Exam Coach team specialises in helping international students succeed.
How The Exam Coach Supports UAE Students
At The Exam Coach, we are 11 Plus exam experts, specialising in bridging the gap between excellent UAE schooling and UK school entrance exam readiness. Our weekly online classes are crafted specifically for UAE families and led by experienced UK tutors.
To help students master these subjects, we offer the following services:
What we offer:
💻 Online workshops covering English comprehension, creative writing, vocabulary, and reasoning
🇬🇧 Experienced UK tutors who teach specifically for the 11 Plus curriculum
🧠 Verbal Reasoning and English vocabulary sessions tailored to UK exam styles
⏰ Live interactive lessons delivered at times convenient for UAE students
🧍♀️ Stand-alone lessons (no long-term lock-ins) so parents can join for exactly what’s needed
We help students gradually build reasoning habits, improve writing technique, and gain confidence in timed exam settings. If you're serious about preparing your child for the 11+, our weekly online tuition for UAE students is designed to align with what top UK schools expect.
📚 Weekly Workshops 📚
In our 11 Plus weekly workshops, your tutor will share some background information about themselves and our workshops with new students. This is followed by 40 minutes of teaching time. Weekly workshops usually run at least a week, usually on weekday evenings. The dates and times of these workshops change each week to ensure everyone can benefit from them.
The content within each workshop varies between 11+ creative writing, comprehension, verbal reasoning or English vocabulary. These classes are a great way to experience our tuition and let your child learn something new before booking one of our courses. Weekly tuition allows us to regularly top up your child’s knowledge during the year prior to their exams.
Each weekly tuition workshop is standalone, meaning your child does not need to have attended any previous sessions to join one. Class notes are sent out 24 hours after each workshop to help students recap what they have learnt.
Types of taster workshop:
Tricky Vocabulary Workout
Verbal Reasoning Synonyms/Antonyms
Comprehension
Creative Writing
Details:
45 minutes.
Introduction to The Exam Coach.
Competitive class testing.
Self-assessed testing.
Walkthrough answers.
Class notes.
When they take place:
At least once a week (date and time announced on Mondays via our email newsletter).
How to register:
📝 11 Plus Practice Papers 📝
We have plenty of practice papers available for various 11+ exam boards to help your child prepare. We provide papers for CEM, GL, ISEB, Kent, Sutton, and Independent School exams.
🎙️ Our Vocabulary Podcast 🎙️
Our 11+ Daily Vocab Show podcast is available on our website and all major streaming platforms. In each episode, we teach children a new word, expanding their vocabulary one word at a time.
Every podcast episode focuses on one tricky piece of vocabulary, ensuring that your child’s vocabulary is built up slowly and that they fully understand each word they learn.
All podcast episodes can be found using the links below:
Listen to the first episode, featuring the word ‘siege’, by clicking the image below.
