The 11 plus (often written 11+) is an entrance test that some secondary schools use to choose pupils. Children usually sit it in September, at the start of Year 6, for a place starting the following September.
There is no single national 11 plus. Different areas use different tests. In Essex, ten schools, including both Colchester grammar schools, use a shared test set by the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE). This guide explains how it works.
Which schools use the CSSE test?
According to CSSE, its member schools are:
- Colchester Royal Grammar School
- Colchester County High School for Girls
- King Edward VI Grammar School
- Southend High School for Boys
- Southend High School for Girls
- Westcliff High School for Boys
- Westcliff High School for Girls
- St Bernard’s High School
- St Thomas More High School
- Shoeburyness High School
Each school sets its own admissions criteria, so it is worth reading the policy for every school you are considering.
What the CSSE test involves
The CSSE test is made up of two papers:
| Paper | Length |
|---|---|
| English | 60 minutes, plus 10 minutes’ reading time |
| Maths | 60 minutes |
A few points parents often ask about:
- Both papers count equally. Each is worth 50% of the marks.
- Scores are standardised. CSSE analyses results by date of birth to decide whether an age adjustment is needed, so younger children in the year group are compared fairly.
- Children usually sit the test at a selective school you nominate when you register.
CSSE also offers free English and Maths familiarisation papers on its website, which are a good way for your child to see the style of the test.
Key dates: from Year 4 to Year 7
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Year 4 | A good time to build strong foundations, without exam pressure |
| Year 5, May to June | Registration for the CSSE test opens for a limited period |
| Year 6, September | Your child sits the CSSE test |
| Year 6, October | Results are emailed to parents |
| Year 6, by 31 October | Apply for secondary school places through your council, naming the schools you want |
| Year 6, early March | National Offer Day: you find out which school has offered a place |
| Year 7, September | Your child starts secondary school |
CSSE publishes the exact dates for each year on its website. If your child sat the test this September, read our guide: CSSE Results 2026: What Colchester Parents Should Do Next.
How CSSE scores work
There is no single pass mark. Your child receives a standardised score, and places are offered through your council’s application, using each school’s admissions criteria.
CSSE’s information guide for 2026 entry states that its schools do not make offers to children who score below 303 on the standardised scale, except through a successful appeal. A score above that level makes your child eligible, but it does not guarantee a place.
When should you start preparing?
There is no one answer that suits every child. In our experience, some children have prepared successfully from Year 4, but most of our students start in Year 5. That gives them time to prepare well alongside their schoolwork.
The test is sat at the start of Year 6, before children have covered everything in the Key Stage 2 curriculum. In our experience, some maths questions go beyond what most children have met in school by then, and the English paper can use challenging texts, including extracts from classic novels. Good preparation helps fill those gaps.
Wide reading helps with both papers. Our guide to 11 plus reading and comprehension explains why, and where to find good books for free.
How hard is the 11 plus?
The test is designed to identify children with strong academic ability, so it is challenging, especially as children are tested on work they may not have covered yet. Places at selective schools are also limited, and many children apply for them.
That is why steady, well-planned preparation makes a real difference, both to your child’s confidence and to how they perform on the day.
How ILM Tuition can help
We run small-group 11+ classes in Colchester, with a focus on the CSSE:
- Year 4 groups build core skills in English, maths and reasoning early.
- Year 5 groups prepare children for the test itself, with mock exams, scoring and feedback built in.
- One-to-one sessions and Assessment Days are also available.
View our Year 4 and Year 5 tuition → · See class times and fees →
Places in our groups are limited. Message us on WhatsApp or get in touch to ask about the right group for your child.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the CSSE test?
There are two papers: English, which lasts 60 minutes plus 10 minutes’ reading time, and Maths, which lasts 60 minutes.
What is the pass mark for the CSSE?
There is no single pass mark. CSSE’s information guide for 2026 entry states that its schools do not make offers below a standardised score of 303, except through a successful appeal. Above that level, places depend on each school’s admissions criteria.
Which CSSE schools are in Colchester?
Colchester Royal Grammar School and Colchester County High School for Girls. CSSE has ten member schools across Essex.
When are CSSE results released?
CSSE emails results to parents in October. For the September 2026 test, results are emailed at the close of business on Monday 12 October 2026.
Sources: CSSE · CSSE member schools · CSSE Information Guide · Essex County Council: secondary school places. Dates and rules can change each year, so always check the latest information from CSSE and Essex County Council.