CSSE 11+ Mock Exams 2026
Realistic practice exams for the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex. Covering English comprehension, verbal reasoning, mathematics and creative writing under timed exam conditions.
What is the CSSE 11+ Exam?
The CSSE (Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex) is the body responsible for administering the 11+ entrance examination used by selective grammar schools in Essex and some surrounding areas. The CSSE 11+ exam is the gateway for children seeking places at highly regarded grammar schools in the Southend, Westcliff and Chelmsford areas.
Unlike some other 11+ exam formats, such as GL Assessment, the CSSE exam does not include a Non-Verbal Reasoning component. Instead, it focuses on three core areas: English (including comprehension and creative or extended writing), Mathematics, and Verbal Reasoning. This makes the CSSE 11+ distinct in its emphasis on literacy and written expression alongside mathematical and verbal reasoning ability.
The CSSE 11+ is structured as a two-stage exam. Stage 1 is a multiple-choice paper that tests English comprehension, verbal reasoning and mathematics. Stage 2 is a creative or extended writing task, which requires children to produce a well-structured piece of writing under timed conditions. This two-stage format means that children must demonstrate both analytical skills and the ability to communicate effectively in writing.
The exam is typically taken in September of Year 6, with results determining eligibility for grammar school places the following academic year. Preparation usually begins during Year 5, giving families around twelve months to build the skills and confidence needed for exam day.
Important: Some Essex grammar schools have recently transitioned from the CSSE exam to the FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise) exam. Parents should verify which exam format their preferred school currently uses. Read our FSCE 11+ exam guide for more details.
CSSE 11+ Exam Format
The CSSE 11+ exam is divided into two stages. Both stages are typically completed on the same day. Understanding the structure of each stage is essential for effective preparation.
| Stage | Subjects Tested | Format | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | English Comprehension Verbal Reasoning Mathematics | Multiple-choice | A single timed paper with sections covering English comprehension, verbal reasoning and mathematics. Questions are answered on a multiple-choice answer sheet. |
| Stage 2 | Creative / Extended Writing | Written task | A timed writing task where children produce a piece of creative or extended writing. Assessed on content, organisation, vocabulary, grammar, spelling and punctuation. |
Note: The CSSE 11+ does not include a Non-Verbal Reasoning paper. If your child is also applying to schools that use GL Assessment or CEM-style tests, they may need to prepare for Non-Verbal Reasoning separately for those exams.
Schools Using the CSSE 11+ Exam
The CSSE 11+ exam has been used by several selective grammar schools across Essex. The following schools have historically used the CSSE for their admissions process. Always confirm directly with the school which exam they currently require, as some schools have recently adopted the FSCE exam instead.
Southend High School for Boys
Southend-on-Sea, Essex
Southend High School for Girls
Southend-on-Sea, Essex
Westcliff High School for Boys
Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex
Westcliff High School for Girls
Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex
King Edward VI Grammar School
Chelmsford, Essex
How to Prepare for the CSSE 11+
Effective preparation for the CSSE 11+ requires a balanced approach across all three tested areas, with particular attention to the creative writing component that makes this exam unique. Supplement your revision with our 11+ practice tests to build skills progressively. Here are practical strategies for each subject area.
Practise reading a variety of text types including fiction, non-fiction, poetry and persuasive writing. Focus on skills such as inference, deduction, identifying the author's purpose, and understanding vocabulary in context.
Work through comprehension passages under timed conditions to build speed and accuracy. Encourage your child to read widely, as a broad reading habit naturally strengthens comprehension skills and vocabulary.
Verbal reasoning tests a child's ability to work with words and language logically. Common question types include word codes, analogies, synonyms and antonyms, word patterns, and comprehension-based logic puzzles.
Regular practice with verbal reasoning question types is essential, as many children will not have encountered these formats in school. Build vocabulary through daily word lists and encourage your child to learn word roots, prefixes and suffixes.
The CSSE maths section covers the Key Stage 2 curriculum and beyond, including arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, algebra, geometry, measurement and data handling. Questions may require multi-step problem solving.
Ensure your child is confident with mental arithmetic and times tables up to 12x12. Practise word problems regularly, as the exam tests the ability to apply mathematical knowledge to unfamiliar contexts rather than just perform calculations.
The Stage 2 writing task is a distinctive feature of the CSSE exam. Children are given a prompt and must produce a well-structured piece of writing within a set time. Examiners assess content and ideas, organisation and structure, vocabulary choices, grammar accuracy, and spelling and punctuation.
Practise timed writing tasks weekly. Teach your child to plan briefly before writing, use paragraphs effectively, vary sentence lengths, include descriptive and figurative language, and proofread at the end. Regular reading of quality fiction will naturally improve writing style and vocabulary.
Our CSSE mock exams replicate both Stage 1 and Stage 2 under realistic timed conditions, giving your child the best possible preparation for the format and time pressure of the real exam.
Frequently Asked Questions About the CSSE 11+
Find answers to the most common questions about the CSSE 11+ exam, its format, preparation strategies and the schools that use it.
The CSSE 11+ exam has historically been taken in September of Year 6. The exact date is confirmed each year by the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex. Families should check the CSSE website or contact their preferred grammar school for the confirmed date well in advance, as preparation should ideally begin in Year 5.
Schools that have used the CSSE exam include Southend High School for Boys, Southend High School for Girls, Westcliff High School for Boys, Westcliff High School for Girls, and King Edward VI Grammar School in Chelmsford. However, it is important to note that some Essex grammar schools have transitioned from CSSE to the FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise) exam. Parents should verify which exam their target school currently uses by checking the school website directly.
The CSSE exam differs from GL Assessment in several key ways. First, CSSE does not test Non-Verbal Reasoning, whereas GL-style exams typically do. Second, the CSSE has a dedicated creative/extended writing component (Stage 2), which is not a standard part of GL exams. Third, CSSE Stage 1 uses a multiple-choice format for comprehension, verbal reasoning and maths. The CSSE is specific to selective schools in Essex and surrounding areas, while GL Assessment is used by grammar schools across many regions in England.
The Stage 2 creative writing component is a significant part of the CSSE exam. To prepare, children should practise writing structured stories and compositions within a time limit. Focus on strong openings, clear paragraphing, varied sentence structures, descriptive language, and satisfying endings. Regular reading helps build vocabulary and an understanding of narrative techniques. Practising timed writing tasks weekly will help your child manage the time pressure on exam day. Our mock exams include Stage 2 writing practice to build confidence.
The CSSE does not publish a fixed pass mark. Instead, each school sets its own admissions criteria and the qualifying score can vary from year to year depending on the number of applicants and overall performance. Generally, children who score in the top 20-30% of all candidates are likely to receive offers, but this varies by school. Taking mock exams under realistic conditions is one of the best ways to gauge readiness and identify areas for improvement before the real exam.
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