Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

11+ support thread 2026

275 replies

11plus2026 · 26/06/2025 12:27

Not sure if anyone is around yet but thought I’d open one.

Has anyone started any practice questions yet? Mine will be starting tutoring in September, she’s had an assessment to see where she’s at currently and now just enjoying the sunshine ☀️

OP posts:
Cocacolathanks · 20/09/2026 21:56

Has anyone done or is anyone doing the FSCE 11+ paper this year or last year? It’s a new one so wondering how the kids are coping!

Chesseagle · 20/09/2026 14:19

Hi for all those doing Sutton, how are you revising for creative writing?

SabrinaSpellwoman · 20/09/2026 12:17

I’ve also heard that about the maths. DS did the 2026 entry paper as a mock and said the maths was definitely harder yesterday. His tutor created another mock which he said they told him was as hard as it could possibly be and he said the real thing was similar for the maths 🫣

Applepie12Go · 20/09/2026 09:56

My kid also took CSSE test yesterday and found maths very tricky. Couple of other parents were also saying the same things.

LifePortfolio · 20/09/2026 00:04

DS took CSSE today and came out in tears - apparently the maths was really hard and there were a couple of boys sobbing behind him. We're out of catchment so it's a long shot anyway, but he was devastated to have found the maths so tricky :(

SabrinaSpellwoman · 19/09/2026 23:02

@CoralLemurthat’s the double worry isn’t it- the pass and then whether it will be enough. We’re aiming for Southend boys Grammars- either of them, but last year the mark needed for entry was significantly higher than a pass. DS came out smiling but who knows 🤞🏻

CoralLemur · 19/09/2026 16:40

DD took CSSE today. She found it okay, kind of what she expected. She came out wanting to tell us all about it; which I am taking as a positive. Based on the mocks she has done I think she will pass but it's 50:50 whether it will be enough to get into CCHSG.

We now just wait until 12th October.

(Edit: typo)

SabrinaSpellwoman · 19/09/2026 14:31

Did anyone’s DC take the CSSE today? Wondering how they found it 🤔

GarlandaChynoweth · 19/09/2026 09:14

DD is in her familiarisation exam at the grammar this morning. Still another week until the real thing. We are both so over it now. We've been going light on remaining practice since she went back to school but this week her tutor set her English, maths and VR assessment tests from the back of the CGP workbooks to be done by her last session on Tuesday.

English and VR...brilliant. Really low on the maths, has anyone else tried the assessment test 2 as to me it seemed far more difficult than the other tests in the book, and any of the practice papers she's done. I don't think it helped with motivation or confidence.

Breeze67 · 18/09/2026 20:21

NameChanger2026 · 15/09/2026 20:25

Yes I overheard lots of chatter on the way out about it being easy….not sure what that means for pass/fail outcomes?! Do they just let more do Stage 2 if lots did well….?

Show quote history

Sadly, the qualifying cutoff score has no choice but to be pushed higher. SET 11 plus is a selection test based on relative ability, not a qualification exam based on absolute scores. So whether the paper is easy or hard, I reckon the number of kids getting through to Stage 2 stays pretty much the same.

Sunnyhotday · 15/09/2026 21:20

This reply has been withdrawn

Post withdrawn at author's request

NameChanger2026 · 15/09/2026 20:25

SixSevenSkibidi · 15/09/2026 19:38

Hello, new here. My DS said the Sutton SET was easier than Atom mocks, which gives me hope!

Yes I overheard lots of chatter on the way out about it being easy….not sure what that means for pass/fail outcomes?! Do they just let more do Stage 2 if lots did well….?

SixSevenSkibidi · 15/09/2026 19:38

Hello, new here. My DS said the Sutton SET was easier than Atom mocks, which gives me hope!

whatawonderfulworlddd · 15/09/2026 19:23

Joining very late but wondered if anyone else is doing Dame Alice Owens (DAO)? Found out my DD cleared round 1, and round 2 is just around the corner!

Booyou123 · 15/09/2026 18:27

Any other details about the exam? Heard the English was not as challenging as Maths 🙈

NameChanger2026 · 15/09/2026 15:05

Sunnyhotday · 15/09/2026 13:20

My son is at Sutton grammar right now. I am sitting in the car park trying not to worry but can’t help it. Your DS found it okay?

Yes he came out quite happy. He’s not much of a talker so couldn’t get much detail but he did say he answered all the questions which is good!

NameChanger2026 · 15/09/2026 14:02

Sunnyhotday · 15/09/2026 13:20

My son is at Sutton grammar right now. I am sitting in the car park trying not to worry but can’t help it. Your DS found it okay?

DC did it at Wilson’s this morning. He’s buzzing it’s over!
quite a stressful morning getting there as traffic was heavy! Good luck to your son!

Sunnyhotday · 15/09/2026 13:20

My son is at Sutton grammar right now. I am sitting in the car park trying not to worry but can’t help it. Your DS found it okay?

NameChanger2026 · 15/09/2026 11:50

Did anyone’s DC sit the Sutton SET today? How did they find it?

sparkleswan · 13/09/2026 03:57

my DS sat the Birmingham exam yesterday. Was so nervous poor thing, but said over all was ok-ish. Found the comprehension tough and said there was a new type of VR question that he hadn’t encountered before.

Whatever happens we’re super proud of him. Now for the long wait!

Anyone else’s DC sat it yesterday?

11plusornot · 12/09/2026 16:28

fairsintown · 11/09/2026 14:54

.

? Has the original post been deleted?

fairsintown · 11/09/2026 14:54

.

Terraz · 10/09/2026 22:11

Good luck to them both (and to those still to sit it!)
I need to block it out of my mind now for the month 😆

Original poster
11plus2026 · 10/09/2026 20:17

Well done to all DCs who are done!

DD sat the Kent test today. Couldn’t get much out of her (she’s already forgotten most of the questions!) but is glad it’s over. Now the waiting begins…

OP posts:
Bushmillsbabe · 10/09/2026 19:47

Terraz · 10/09/2026 18:24

How did everyone find today? (Joining v late!)
my DC was tearful and said there was a new question type in VR which was hard but I think it was ok-ish overall

Yep my DD said same, there were new question types in NVR and VR. Apparently the new NVR were easy but the new VR was tough. I guess they need to introduce something new to try to counteract impact of tutoring.
DD was happy though, as all her friends said they found that one really tough. I think she us just glad it's all over 😀

Now just the tough wait to see the outcome.

Swipe left for the next trending thread