CSSE 11+ (Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex)
The CSSE 11+ is a bespoke two-paper test (English + Mathematics) set and marked by the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex, used by 10 selective / partially-selective schools across Essex and Southend. The English paper includes a creative-writing task. A CSSE-wide hard floor of 303 applies — no offer is made below that — but per-school last-place scores can run much higher.
Exam board
CSSE — bespoke (NOT GL or CEM)
Qualifying score
303
2025 threshold
Test duration
60 min
Year 7 places
1,403
Across consortium
Applicants per place
5.0×
Typical competition
Test format
Two papers: English and Mathematics. Standardised composite score, max ~418.
Selection methods used
Subjects tested
- English
- Mathematics
Competition (latest)
6,673 applicants chasing 1,403 places · 5.0× per place
Paper-by-paper breakdown
English
60 minutes (+ 10 minutes additional reading time)Comprehension + creative-writing task. From September 2024 (2025 Entry onwards) the English paper no longer contains Applied Reasoning questions.
Mathematics
60 minutesStandard KS2-stretch maths content — number, fractions, geometry, statistics, problem solving.
Annual timeline
Confirm exact dates each year on the council pageRegistration opens
12 May (9am)
Registration deadline
19 June (5pm)
Test window
Saturday 19 September (single sitting)
Results release
Mid-October
How to prepare
- Bespoke format — GL / CEM practice papers are NOT representative. Use CSSE's own past papers (purchasable from csse.org.uk from early May each year) and the free familiarisation papers on the CSSE site.
- English includes a timed creative-writing task — practise writing under time pressure with a clear structure.
- 10 minutes ADDITIONAL reading time on the English paper before writing begins — train your child to use it for planning.
- Format change: from 2025 Entry the English paper dropped Applied Reasoning questions, so very old (pre-2024) papers contain question types no longer assessed.
- Each paper is marked out of 60 raw; raw scores are age-standardised, then combined into a composite.
Important to know
- 10 schools use the test: Colchester Royal Grammar (boys), Colchester County High for Girls, King Edward VI Grammar Chelmsford (boys), Southend High for Boys, Southend High for Girls, Westcliff High for Boys, Westcliff High for Girls, Shoeburyness High (partially selective), St Bernard's High (Catholic, selective stream), St Thomas More High (Catholic, partially selective).
- 303 is a CSSE-wide hard floor — no offer is made below it (except via appeal or special considerations).
- Per-school cutoffs vary widely — see the QUALIFYING_SCORE note above for 2025 entry numbers. Outside-priority-area applicants need substantially higher scores.
- Colchester Royal Grammar has NO defined priority area — distance-only after the 303 floor.
- Only ONE test sitting — no resit / catch-up session at a different date.
- Score is age-standardised so younger children are not disadvantaged.
About the qualifying score: CSSE-wide hard floor — no offer is made below 303 except via appeal. Per-school last-place 2025 entry: CCHSG 322/333, CRGS 343, KEGS 355/372, SHSB 305/342, SHSG 303/321, WHSB 309/351, WHSG 306/345, Shoeburyness 304, St Thomas More 303. Always check the latest threshold on the council's admissions arrangements before applying.
Official links
Sources used on this page
- csse.org.uk
- CSSE Historical Guidance Sheet for 2026 Entry (csse.org.uk PDF, Oct 2025)
- CSSE Familiarisation Booklet & past papers
Schools using this test(8)
Colchester County High School for Girls
Essex · girls
Colchester Royal Grammar School
Essex · boys
Ilford County High School
Redbridge · boys
King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
Essex · mixed
Southend High School for Boys
Southend-on-Sea · boys
Southend High School for Girls
Southend-on-Sea · girls
Westcliff High School for Boys Academy
Southend-on-Sea · boys
Westcliff High School for Girls
Southend-on-Sea · girls
Where to go next
- Each school sets its own qualifying score and oversubscription rules — open a school page above for the per-school detail.
- Use the Chances Calculator with your postcode to see your likelihood at every school in this consortium.
- Council and school admissions pages are the authoritative source for registration deadlines and test dates.