United Kingdom · Entrance testThe ten CSSE schools
- Colchester County High School for Girls
- Colchester Royal Grammar School
- King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
- Shoeburyness High School
- Southend High School for Boys
- Southend High School for Girls
- St Bernard's High School
- St Thomas More High School for Boys
- Westcliff High School for Boys
- Westcliff High School for Girls
This page covers the CSSE test only. The test is for entry to these schools.
When is the Essex 11 plus exam?
The test is for children registered in Year 6, born between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 12 May 2026 | Registration opens, online or by post |
| 19 June 2026 | Registration closes |
| 26 June 2026 | Deadline for special adjustment requests |
| By 15 July 2026 | Test centre details sent by email |
| 19 September 2026 | 11+ tests |
| 29 September 2026 | Tuesday test, only for religious, illness or exceptional reasons |
| 12 October 2026 | Results by email, after close of business |
| 31 October 2026 | Apply to your home council. Pupil Premium forms to the schools |
| 1 March 2027 | National Offer Day |
The two papers
English lasts 60 minutes with 10 minutes' extra reading time, and maths lasts 60 minutes. Both are based on Key Stage 2 of the National Curriculum. Since September 2024, the English paper has had no applied reasoning questions. Each paper is standardised and worth 50%, with an age adjustment if the results show one is needed.
Your child needs a pen, pencil, ruler and eraser. Calculators, highlighters, dictionaries and smart watches aren't allowed.
Scores and places
The results email shows the raw score for each subject and the standardised total. No CSSE school offers a place below 303. Places won at appeal or under special considerations fall outside this. Each year the CSSE publishes a guidance sheet of the lowest scores offered places in past years, which it says is no guarantee. Papers aren't re-marked, and the CSSE makes no adjustments for circumstances: you can raise those at an appeal after 1 March.
Sources: CSSE and 2 more. Checked October 2026.
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.