11+ in Essex
Essex grammars admit through the CSSE test, a shared Maths and English assessment sat once for multiple schools including Colchester Royal Grammar, CCHSG and Chelmsford County High. It is distinctive for not using separate reasoning papers.
Exam board
CSSE — Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (Maths & English)
Competition
The leading Essex grammars are among the highest-performing in the country and very oversubscribed, so the effective CSSE bar is high.
Deadlines
CSSE registration generally runs through the summer with the test in the autumn of Year 6; the CSSE publishes exact dates annually.
Parent guide
- Because the CSSE test is Maths and English only, prioritise arithmetic fluency, problem solving, comprehension and writing.
- One CSSE sitting can support applications to several Essex grammars — understand each school’s priority area.
- CSSE English includes comprehension and a writing element, so written English practice matters.
Grammar schools in Essex
Top tips for Essex
- Use CSSE-format papers specifically, as the style differs from GL/CEM.
- Confirm each school’s catchment priority — distance is often the tie-break.
FAQs
Does the Essex 11+ test reasoning?+
The CSSE test focuses on Maths and English rather than standalone verbal/non-verbal reasoning papers, though English assesses comprehension and writing.
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