FSCE test (Chelmsford County High School for Girls)
Chelmsford County High School for Girls uses the FSCE test, set by Future Stories Community Enterprise, in early September of Year 6. There are four papers, each with a separate answer sheet: Adventure and Compass (multiple choice), Beacon (short answers written one letter or digit to a box) and Discovery (creative writing, judged only for girls who reach the qualifying score). The papers can draw on any Key Stage 2 subject. FSCE publishes no past papers and no paper lengths, so Prism practises the English and maths at the core of the test in papers of our own length. There is no non-verbal reasoning.
At a glance
Subjects
Maths and English, plus writing
Answers
Multiple choice and written answers, plus a writing task
Usually held
September
Set by
FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise)
Schools
1
The papers
Stage
Paper
How it is answered
Prism practice paper
Test day
Adventure (multiple choice)
Multiple choice
40 questions, 45 minutes
Test day
Beacon (short answers)
Multiple choice and written answers
30 questions, 45 minutes
Test day
Compass (multiple choice)
Multiple choice
40 questions, 45 minutes
Test day
Discovery (creative writing)
Writing task
One task, 30 minutes
Test setters rarely publish how many questions a paper has, so the question counts are the length of Prism’s practice papers; timings follow the setter’s published guidance where there is any. Arrangements change from year to year: always check them with the school or local authority.
How to prepare for the FSCE
The FSCE test (Chelmsford County High School for Girls) covers maths and English. Most families start steady preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5, building accuracy first and speed later, then sit timed papers through the summer before the test, which usually takes place in September.
For maths, secure the Key Stage 2 arithmetic, fractions, ratio and problem solving before moving to the multi-step questions that separate the strongest candidates.
For English, read widely every day and practise comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar; selective tests reward precise word knowledge.
This test includes a piece of writing, so practise planning and writing a short story or description in a set time.
Some answers are written, not chosen, so practise without options to fall back on: write the number or the words yourself, show the working where the paper asks for it, and check each answer against the question.
72 children were asked about their favourite sport. How many chose Swimming?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, 36
How to work it out
Swimming has 180° of the 360° circle, which is 12. 12 of 72 = 36.
Why the other options are wrong
A (180): This is the angle of the slice, not the number of children.
B (37): This is 1 more than the right answer. No common slip leads to it, so recheck the working.
C (3): Divide the angle by 360, not by the number of children.
E (18): This assumes all four slices are equal.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
What does the word “dissolve” mean?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, to mix into a liquid and disappear; or to end
How to work it out
“Dissolve” (verb) means to mix into a liquid and disappear; or to end.
For example: Stir until the sugar dissolves.
Why the other options are wrong
A (to argue noisily about something small): That is what “squabble” means, an unrelated word. “dissolve” means to mix into a liquid and disappear; or to end.
B (to lift with ropes or effort): That is what “hoist” means, an unrelated word. “dissolve” means to mix into a liquid and disappear; or to end.
C (to grow or develop well): That is what “flourish” means, an unrelated word. “dissolve” means to mix into a liquid and disappear; or to end.
Questions parents ask
What subjects are in the FSCE?
The FSCE tests maths and English, and includes a piece of writing.
When is the FSCE?
The main test usually takes place in September of Year 6. Dates change each year, so always confirm them with the school or local authority.
How should my child prepare for the FSCE?
Build the core skills in Year 4 and 5, learn each question type, then practise timed papers in the FSCE format. Prism builds this plan automatically from a free starting assessment.
Find out where your child stands today
Practise straight away at your child’s school year in maths and English, with verbal and non-verbal reasoning for the 11 Plus, and every answer explained. A free check, whenever you like, shows what to practise next and builds a weekly plan, for their year or for your target schools. Parents follow progress free.