What is FSCE? Who uses FSCE? What does the FSCE test include? How do I prepare for an FSCE exam?
Helping simplify the world of school entrance exams - teachers, resources, courses and more, all together on one, easy to use platform.
Who is FSCE?
The FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise) is a 11+ entrance exam provider created in 2022 as a not-for-profit trading company of Reading School.
Why is the FSCE exam different?
The FSCE exam is designed to assess how well children can apply their knowledge, rather than simply recall facts. It is built around the Key Stage 2 national curriculum up to the end of Year 5, meaning it only tests content that children should have covered in school by that point.
A key aim of the FSCE is to reduce the advantage gained from intensive tutoring and drilling. Unlike GL Assessment and CEM, the FSCE deliberately does not publish past papers and changes its format annually, making it harder to "teach to the test".
What FSCE says about itself
With over 40 years collective experience with Grammar School Assessment and Admissions, FSCE Ltd provides bespoke and accessible 11+ and In-Year tests, written by Grammar Schools, for Grammar Schools.
But we are not like other test providers.
HOW?
- We adapt to the needs of our schools ~ so you can better discover candidates with the potential to thrive.
- We support tutor-free summers ~ invaluable, irreplaceable time for families to connect and explore.
- We create exciting, bold new test content every year ~ content that encourages original critical thinking.
WHY?
- To help improve social mobility and equalise opportunities for all children.
- To be part of regional and national impact on student demographics for educational and cultural change.
What does the FSCE test include?
This depends on the school or group of schools. School can choose the elements they would like to include. This means every FSCE test is slightly different. The main difference is the emphasis on using and applying skills in different ways, rather than simple recall.
The FSCE test is bespoke to each school. Reading School and CCHS sit four papers drawing on up to 11 subjects; the Halifax schools sit English, Maths and Creative Writing; Ermysted's and Skipton Girls' sit just English and Maths with no creative writing.
Always download your school's familiarisation guides — they are free and usually available from individual school's admissions pages.
FSCE have also produced familiarisation materials:
Who uses FSCE? And when is the FSCE test taken?
Ten grammar schools use FSCE today, and twelve more have officially announced they are switching to it from September 2028 entry.
SCHOOL
REGION
INTAKE
REGISTRATION
TEST DATE
RESULTS
Berkshire
Boys
Closed (27 Mar – 17 May 2026)
Main sittings 15–16 Jul 2026
Out-of-catchment day:
Fri 25 Sep 2026
Mid-Oct 2026
SCHOOL
REGION
INTAKE
REGISTRATION
TEST DATE
RESULTS
SCHOOL
REGION
INTAKE
REGISTRATION
TEST DATE
RESULTS
SCHOOL
REGION
INTAKE
REGISTRATION
TEST DATE
RESULTS
SCHOOL
REGION
INTAKE
REGISTRATION
TEST DATE
RESULTS
Cumbria
Co-ed
Closed
(deadline 12 Jul 2026)
Thu 17 Sep 2026
Not stated
Essex
Girls
Closed
(13 Apr – 3 Jun 2026; no late entries)
Thu 3 Sep 2026
Mid-Oct 2026
Lancashire
Co-ed
Sat 26 Sep 2026
Mid-Oct 2026
Open: 1 Jun – 4 Sep 2026 (noon)
SCHOOL
REGION
INTAKE
REGISTRATION
TEST DATE
RESULTS
North Yorkshire
Boys
Open: 13 Apr – 31 Aug 2026 (noon)
Sat 26 Sep 2026
w/c 12 Oct 2026
SCHOOL
REGION
INTAKE
REGISTRATION
TEST DATE
RESULTS
North Yorkshire
Girls
Open: 1 May – 19 Aug 2026
Sat 26 Sep 2026, 9:30am
By 19 Oct 2026
SCHOOL
REGION
INTAKE
REGISTRATION
TEST DATE
RESULTS
West Yorkshire
Co-educational
Closed (20 Mar – 26 Jun 2026)
Sat 19 Sep 2026 (alt. Fri 26 Sep)
Fri 16 Oct 2026
SCHOOL
REGION
INTAKE
REGISTRATION
TEST DATE
RESULTS
West Yorkshire
Co-ed
Closed (20 Mar – 26 Jun 2026)
Sat 19 Sep 2026 (alt. Fri 26 Sep)
Fri 16 Oct 2026
SCHOOL
REGION
INTAKE
REGISTRATION
TEST DATE
RESULTS
West Yorkshire
Co-ed
Closed (11 May – 22 Jun 2026)
Mon 14 Sep 2026
Fri 17 Oct 2026
SCHOOL
REGION
INTAKE
REGISTRATION
TEST DATE
RESULTS
SCHOOL
REGION
INTAKE
REGISTRATION
TEST DATE
RESULTS
Can I get FSCE practice papers?
Officially not and FSCE will enforce the option that you should not practice. However we all know the reality. Depending on the elements your target school has chosen you can find a myriad of practice papers. Remember thinking skills as well as strong english and maths skills will always stand you in good stead.
This is the official FSCE guidance - 10 tips for the Year 7 Entrance Test. Individual schools add their own guidance, this is usually found on the school's admissions pages.
You can find other useful resources in our resources section. (You'll need to be logged in to access this page - sign up here if you haven't already.)
How are FSCE papers marked?
The majority of the papers are marked by computer. This means your child must be able to use the answer sheets confidently. If your target school includes writing, this will be human marked.
Scores are then changed into standardised scores, meaning autumn term births have no advantage over summer born children.
Complete 7+ to 11+ preparation timeline
Families may choose to start their preparation two years ahead, in the final year of preparation, this is your overview.
What to Focus on in May?
A Calm, Strategic Guide for 7+, 8+, 11+ and 13+ Parents
May is a pivotal month in the UK entrance exam journey. Whether your child is preparing for the 7+, 8+, 11+ or 13+ exams, this is the point where preparation begins to shift from learning content to refining performance. It can feel intense—but it doesn’t need to be overwhelming.
At Success Index, we aim to provide a quiet, clear space away from the noise of entrance exam stress—helping you make informed, confident decisions.
Here’s what to focus on this month.
Begin Mock Exams Early and Thoughtfully
May marks the start of the mock exam season, and this is one of the most important steps in effective 11+ preparation and beyond.
It’s essential to:
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Book mock exams early—places fill quickly across reputable providers
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Use a range of providers, not just one
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Plan a mock exam timetable running through to September
You can explore guidance on this here:
https://www.successindex.co.uk/mock-exams/
Mock exams are often misunderstood. They are not about chasing high scores. Instead, their real purpose is to:
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Familiarise children with the exam environment
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Reduce anxiety in unfamiliar settings
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Build stamina and focus over longer papers
By exposing your child to different venues, invigilators, and formats, you are preparing them for the unpredictability of real entrance exams.
Understand Your Child’s Academic Position
By May, you should be developing a clear picture of:
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Your child’s current attainment level
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Their strengths and weaker areas
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How they compare to the expected standard for selective schools
Mock exams, alongside school feedback and home practice, provide valuable data. Use this information calmly and constructively.
If you’re unsure how to interpret performance or next steps, our guidance hub can help:
https://www.successindex.co.uk/11-plus-advice/
Remember: every child progresses differently. There is no single “correct” timeline.
Review and Refresh Your Resources
A common mistake in entrance exam preparation is relying too heavily on one set of materials.
In May, take time to review:
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Are your current resources still challenging enough?
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Has your child become too familiar with a particular format?
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Are they exposed to a range of question styles?
Using varied materials ensures children develop flexible thinking, which is essential for exams like the 7+, 8+ , 11+ and 13+, where question styles can differ significantly between schools.
Introduce Past Papers (Carefully)
May is the right time to begin incorporating past papers into your routine.
These are invaluable for:
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Building confidence
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Understanding real exam structure
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Practising time management
However, approach this thoughtfully:
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Some children are ready for timed conditions
-
Others benefit from a more supported, untimed approach initially
There is no universal rule. The key is to match the approach to your child’s confidence and readiness.
Use the May Half Term Strategically
The May half term is short—but extremely valuable.
This is an ideal time to:
-
Book targeted short courses
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Arrange extra tuition sessions
-
Focus specifically on areas of weakness
Rather than overloading your child, aim for focused, high-impact support.
You can explore structured learning support in our courses section.
Research Schools and Key Dates
Alongside academic preparation, May is also the time to get organised with the practical aspects of school applications.
Make sure you:
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Clearly understand your target schools
-
Check exam registration deadlines
-
Book open days and school visits
-
Keep all dates recorded in a single, clear calendar
Missing a deadline can be far more stressful than any exam preparation challenge.
Download our useful recording sheet for school visits to stop them all merging into one!
The entrance exam journey—whether for 7+, 8+, 11+ or 13+—can feel busy and competitive. But progress in May is not about doing more. It’s about doing the right things, calmly and consistently.
At Success Index, we believe preparation should feel:
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Structured, not chaotic
-
Informed, not overwhelming
-
Supportive, not pressured
You don’t need to navigate this alone—and you don’t need to follow the noise.
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Parent of Louie
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Kathleen Moore
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Parent of KC
"Success Index provided excellent 11 Plus tutoring for my son, with supportive teachers, clear lessons, and fantastic exam preparation. Patricia tutors was extremely patient, knowledgeable, and helped build both confidence and skills. Highly recommended for parents looking to prepare their child for the 11+ exams."
Helen Alderton
"We have found using Success Index incredibly helpful for our child. He has grown in so many ways. His confidence boosted along with his knowledge. This team here really know How to get the best out of a child and I couldn’t recommend them highly enough. Thanks you again."
Suzanne Toner
“As a parent I’ve found Success Index to be a really helpful platform when navigating the process of entrance exams for the first time. Being able to search for tutors and finding the right fit for my son was straightforward and by getting a solid baseline assessment we knew where the areas of focus needed to be. Having access to a variety of learning materials, practical information and practice exam resources meant my son felt prepared and ready for both the exams and interview processes. Being able to access practical advice as parents and tap into the experience available proved really useful and gave us confidence in the way to approach the whole process. Highly recommend!”
Jennie Gower-Smith
"A great service. They put me in touch with a tutor perfectly suited to my daughter quickly and easily"
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What families are saying about Success Index
As interviewed on
One of our founders has spoken to the BBC about the new provider, and parents have also shared their concerns publicly.
Read what Patricia had to say about the new 'accessible' process for grammar school entry in this article on the BBC.
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