78% in practice (our estimate, not a school figure)
About the CSSE (Essex & Southend)
The Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex sets two written papers in September of Year 6, each counting for half: maths (60 minutes) and English (60 minutes plus 10 minutes reading time), which has comprehension questions and a continuous writing task.
Stage
Paper
How it is answered
Prism practice paper
CSSE
Maths (written)
Written answers
40 questions, 60 minutes
CSSE
English (written)
Written answers
12 questions, 70 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
The CSSE (Essex & Southend) 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.
Practice questions in the style of the test
Written by Prism in the style of the test, not taken from any school’s papers.
Question 1Aim for about 60 seconds
A helmet costs £60 in two shops. Shop A takes 50% off. Shop B takes £50 off. Which shop sells it for less, and by how much?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, Shop B by £20
How to work it out
50% of £60 is £30, so Shop A takes £30 off.
Shop B takes £50 off.
Shop B takes off more, so it is cheaper by £50 − £30 = £20.
Why the other options are wrong
A (Shop B by £80): £80 adds the two discounts together; subtract the smaller from the larger to compare them.
B (They cost the same): 50% of £60 is £30, which is not the same as the £50 the other offer takes off.
D (Shop B by £50): £50 is the larger discount; the difference between the two discounts, £50 − £30, is what the question asks for.
E (Shop A by £20): Shop B takes off £50 and Shop A takes off £30, so Shop B is the cheaper shop, not Shop A.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
Which part has a punctuation mistake? Choose “No mistake” if there is none.
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, while Im talking,”
How to work it out
“I’m” is a shortened form, so it needs an apostrophe where the letters are missing.
Why the other options are wrong
A (“Don’t interrupt me): The sentence starts with a capital letter and the apostrophe in “Don’t” marks the missing letters. The mistake is in another part.
C (said Dev, frowning): “Dev” keeps its capital letter and the comma is in the right place. The mistake is in another part.
D (at his sister.): The full stop ends the sentence. The mistake is in another part.
E (No mistake): There is a mistake: “I’m” is a shortened form, so it needs an apostrophe where the letters are missing.
What entrance test does Shoeburyness High School use?
Shoeburyness High School uses the CSSE (Essex & Southend), which tests maths and English and includes a piece of writing. It is answered with written answers. Check the school’s admissions page for the current arrangements.
What score does my child need for Shoeburyness High School?
Schools do not publish pass marks. As a guide, Prism suggests a child aims to score around 78% consistently in practice for a selective school. This is Prism’s own estimate, not a figure from the school, and no score guarantees a place.
When should my child start preparing for Shoeburyness High School?
Most families start in Year 4 or early Year 5, then practise timed papers during the summer before the test, which usually takes place in September.
Preparing for Shoeburyness High School?
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.