What is the 11+?

The 11+ examination is an entrance exam for Grammar schools within Essex. The purpose of the 11+ test is to select the children who have the potential to thrive in an environment which provides a highly academic and challenging curriculum and environment. Grammar schools consider suitable children to have some of the following attributes:

- curiosity, enjoyment of learning and problem solving
- perseverance and completion of challenging tasks
- understanding of all concepts taught at primary school
- enjoyment of a wide range of literature and/or non-fiction text
- creativity in sustained writing
- ability to make connections between various areas of knowledge
- good memory
- imagination and original ideas
- ability to work at pace and assimilate information quickly
- appreciation of numerical conventions
- ability to apply mathematical concepts
(source csse.org.uk)

11+ MOCK EXAMS 2025
Click to see this years available dates

Key dates for the 2023 cohort (2024 entry)

How to register

To register your child for the 11+ exam in England, follow these steps:

1. Determine the Exam Board for Your Area

In Essex, the 11+ exam is usually administered by the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE). Visit the CSSE website for detailed information.
If you live outside Essex, research the specific exam board for your region (e.g., CEM, GL Assessment).

2. Check Eligibility

Ensure your child meets the eligibility requirements, which may include age and residency criteria. For entry in September 2026, children born between 1st September 2014 and 31st August 2015 will typically be eligible.

3. Register Online

Registration usually opens in May of the year before entry (e.g., May 2025 for entry in September 2026).
Create an account on the official registration portal (CSSE Registration Page).

4. Fill Out the Application Form

Provide details about your child, including:

Full name, date of birth, and address.
Current school information.

Select the test centre where your child will sit the exam.
Indicate any special arrangements (e.g. extra time for children with SEND).

5. Pay the Registration Fee

A fee is typically required to complete the registration. For CSSE, the fee is around £15 (subject to change). Fee waivers may be available for low-income families.

6. Prepare Supporting Documents

Some schools or exam boards may require additional documents (e.g., proof of address or birth certificate). Follow the instructions on the registration portal.

7. Prepare Your Child for the Exam

Practice materials can often be downloaded from the exam board's website or purchased from external providers. CSSE provides sample papers and familiarization materials.

8. Await Confirmation

Once registered, you will receive confirmation with details about the test date, venue, and any further instructions.

Please note it is the responsibility of the parent/carer to sign up for the 11+ exams. This is not something that we can do for you.

11+ Exam format details

There are two exam formats used within Essex. The majority of grammar schools are part of the CSSE (The Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex) and the exam is written by the schools involved. Chelmsford County High School for Girls administer a separate exam which has changed from the previously used CEM tests to FSCE (Future Schools Community Enterprise Ltd).

How can we help?

At Kip McGrath Billericay and Wickford, we pride ourselves on having over 14 years of 11+ tutoring experience and a very high pass rate, with most of our students managing to get a place at their Grammar School of choice.

We offer a high quality of teaching in all areas of the 11+ and have unique 11+ resources at the centre to assist with children’s learning. We have helped and guided students rated as ‘average’ by their teachers and schools to go on and pass the 11+ exam through persistent practice and perseverance. Unfortunately, nobody can guarantee that your child will pass the 11+ exam. However, we can significantly increase their chances of success; we have an outstanding track record - 92% of our 2021 cohort passed!

Key dates

For the 11+ examination in Essex for entry in September 2026, here are the key dates to note:

Registration Opens: Mid-May 2025.
Registration Closes: Specific closing date to be confirmed; typically, registration remains open for approximately six weeks.
Examination Date: Saturday, 20th September 2025.
Results Notification: Mid-October 2025.
Secondary School Application Deadline: 31st October 2025.
National Offer Day: 1st March 2026.

Please note that while these dates are based on the most recent information available, they are subject to confirmation. It is advisable to regularly check the official CSSE website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.