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EXAM AREA / SEPTEMBER 2027 ENTRY

Essex & Southend 11+

The CSSE entrance test for grammar and selective places across Essex and Southend.

CSSE English & mathsYear 6 test → Year 7 entry

Official sources checked 28 Sept 2026

HOW TO APPLY

Test registration & school applications

Test registration and your school application are two separate steps.

01 · TEST REGISTRATION

Register for the test

With the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex

2027 entry registrationClosed 19 June 2026
Registration & access arrangements

Test registration ran from 12 May to 19 June. The later 26 June date was for access-arrangement requests, not standard test registration.

Keep the test confirmation and follow the nominated centre’s instructions. School supplementary forms are separate from the CSSE registration.

Official registration details
02 · SCHOOL APPLICATION

Choose your schools

On your home council’s CAF

School application deadline31 October 2026
How do I apply for a place?

Use the Common Application Form (CAF) for the council where you live, including when applying across council boundaries. List schools in your genuine preference order.

Check each school’s admissions policy and any supplementary form. Taking the test does not secure a place.

How to order your schools

TEST FORMAT

English & mathematics

The CSSE sets its own papers. Use its samples and answer instructions.

PAPER 1

English

English
What skills are tested?
English
Read the CSSE sample to see how comprehension and written English tasks are presented.
PAPER 2

Mathematics

Maths
What skills are tested?
Maths
Number fluency, calculations and applying maths to unfamiliar problems.

Do not substitute a generic GL or Quest format. The CSSE practice library includes released papers and marking material from named years.

CSSE STANDARDISED RESULTS

There is no universal offer score

  • Your CSSE resultUse the standardised result supplied by the CSSE, rather than raw marks from practice.
  • School thresholdsThe relevant school policy sets eligibility, score priorities and any geographic categories.
  • Past cut-offsA previous year’s lowest offer score is a record of that allocation, not a guarantee for this year.
Understand your result

Official guidance: CSSE official examination guidance.

SEPTEMBER 2027 ENTRY

Dates to keep track of

Tests take place in 2026, for children starting Year 7 in September 2027. Follow your invitation for your child’s session.

  1. Test registration

    Requests for access arrangements had the separate 26 June deadline.

  2. Main CSSE test

    Exceptional testing was scheduled separately for 29 September.

  3. Results issued

    The guide says after close of business; allow up to 24 hours for emails to arrive.

  4. Submit your school application

    Name your preferred schools on your home council’s CAF. Send any school supplementary forms separately by their published deadlines.

  5. National Offer Day

    Your home council confirms the school place offered. Read the acceptance and waiting-list instructions in the offer.

Official timetable: CSSE 2027 timetable. Check the school’s instructions for late, exceptional or additional testing.

THE PRACTICE LIBRARY

Get to know the questions

Official released English and mathematics papers, organised by title and year.

Start with the official guidanceLocal instructions, sample questions & answer sheets

Use the mark scheme for the same year as the paper. A practice raw score is useful for identifying gaps, but does not convert directly into a school offer score.

SCHOOLS & ADMISSIONS

Find your school

Seven fully selective grammar schools are listed below. The CSSE also includes selective places at Shoeburyness, St Bernard’s and St Thomas More.

Year 7 intake

7 of 7 schools

Year 7 intake shown · sixth forms may differ

Compare up to 4 schools side by side.

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Three school-specific checks

  1. Check the school’s score category

    Distinguish in-area and out-of-area criteria where these apply. A single headline score may describe only one category.

  2. Send priority evidence to the school

    The 2027 guide directs relevant pupil-premium forms to each named school by 31 October, rather than to the CSSE office.

  3. Check supplementary and faith forms

    The partially selective and Catholic schools have their own requirements alongside test registration and the CAF.

KEEP READING

Help with your next decision

Understanding your result

Read scores alongside eligibility, school priorities and the allocation of places.

Read the guide If your preferred school has no place

Understand the difference between a test result, a waiting list and an admission appeal.

Read the guide

GOOD TO KNOW

A few common questions

Which subjects are in the CSSE test?

English and mathematics. Use CSSE-issued sample papers to understand the local question and answer format.

Are all CSSE schools fully selective?

No. The 2027 guide lists ten participating schools, including selective places in three schools with wider admissions.

Can I practise with real CSSE past papers?

Yes. The official practice-material page provides released papers and related material. Match any mark scheme to the correct paper.

Does sitting at one CSSE school restrict my school choices?

The test venue does not replace your CAF preferences. Read the admissions policy for every school you want to name.

OFFICIAL SOURCES

Checked 28 Sept 2026. Follow the current school policy and your child’s test invitation for individual arrangements.