The Dover Test 2026

Information and familiarisation for families

This website had been produced by Quest Assessments and Dover Grammar School for Girls to provide families with clear information and practical support for The Dover Test.

Key dates

Registration closes: Friday 10th July 2026

Test date: Saturday 12th September 2026

Results day: Mid October 2026

Secondary school application deadline: 31st October 2026

National Offer Day: 1st March 2027

Assessment Details

Your child will sit two non-adaptive paper assessments. All papers will be sat on the same day, and your child will have a short break between assessments.

Paper One

English and verbal ability

Paper Two

mathematics and spatial ability

How to prepare for the Dover Test

The Dover Test assesses English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. The best preparation is a strong grounding in what your child is already learning at school, combined with wide reading and the ability to apply their knowledge to new contexts. The test is built to assess genuine understanding of the curriculum: the most valuable thing your child can do is keep learning steadily and confidently in school.

From now
• Encourage your child to read widely and for pleasure.
• Build healthy habits. Short, regular learning is more effective than long sessions.
• Encourage your child to work hard in school and focus in class. Try reasoning activities like logic puzzles, word games, and pattern-spotting.
• Work through the familiarisation booklets at a relaxed pace.
The night before
• Remind your child to read each question carefully, and that it’s fine to move on if they’re stuck.
• Pack pencils and a good eraser.
• Go to bed on time and make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep.
The morning of the test
• Ensure your child eats a proper breakfast.
• Keep the morning calm and positive.
• Allow plenty of time for the journey.

Free resources

We've created a set of free resources to help your child understand what the test looks and feels like, and build confidence across all subjects ahead of exam day. These booklets provide sample questions so your child can become familiar with the question format and filling in an OMR answer sheet.

Quest 11+ guidance for Children

Written for children, this guide includes what the test is, how to handle nerves, what to do if they get stuck, and what to expect on the day.

Recommended Reading Lists

Age-appropriate reading recommendations for Years 3–6.

Vocabulary list

A list of words your child may finduseful to know, designed to support their broader vocabulary development.

Free preparation support

Dover Grammar School for Girls and Quest have worked together to ensure every child has access to high-quality preparation materials, regardless of their family's circumstances.

In partnership with Atom Learning, they are offering free access to Atom Home for all pupil premium eligible candidates through the Atom Learning Pupil Premium Support Programme. Atom Home provides structured practice and KS2 learning across all subjects, with questions, progress tracking, and subject-specific learning paths your child can work through at home.

If your child is eligible for pupil premium, you can request access using the link below. Eligibility will be verified by your child's primary school.

What to expect on the day

Your child will sit the test at Dover Grammar School for Girls.

The Dover Test consists of two assessments, both sat in the same session with a short supervised break between them. Each paper lasts approximately 60 minutes, plus time for instructions. Your child will remain in the test environment during the break.

An invigilator will read instructions before, during, and after each paper. Your child will be given a question booklet and a separate answer sheet for each subject. They may also receive a reading booklet.

If your child can't hear the instructions or has a question, they should put their hand up.

How is the test completed?

The Dover Test is a paper test. All questions are multiple choice. Your child selects from a set of options (usually five: A, B, C, D or E).

Most Quest 11+ papers use an OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) answer sheet. This means, instead of writing out answers, your child will draw a horizontal line through a box next to their chosen answer.

The familiarisation materials include a practice OMR answer sheet to help your child get comfortable with the format before test day.

Tips for OMR

Marking correctly

Draw a clear, solid horizontal line through the chosen box.

Mark one answer per question unless the question specifically tells you there is more than one answer.

Practice before the day

The familiarisation booklets include a sample OMR answer sheet.

Working through a few questions, practising marking answers, rubbing out, and checking question numbers match helps your child get familiar with how to complete an OMR sheet.

If your child makes a mistake

They should rub it out fully with a clean eraser, then mark their new answer.

A good eraser matters as much as a good pencil!

After the test: results, reviews, and next steps

Results will be released in mid October 2026.

There are 140 Year 7 places available.

For questions about admissions, results, or to request a review, contact Dover Grammar School for Girls at enquiries@dggs.kent.sch.uk.

The deadline for secondary school applications is 31 October 2026.

Still have questions?

Please note that Quest Assessments is not able to respond to individual enquiries from parents or carers. All queries about the Dover Test (including questions about registration, results, venues, and special arrangements) should be directed to the school.

We wish your child every success.

Dover Grammar School for Girls

enquiries@dggs.kent.sch.uk

The Quest Assessments Team
questassessments.com