SET (Selective Eligibility Test)
The Selective Eligibility Test (SET) is the entrance examination for Southend's four grammar schools. It determines eligibility for grammar school places in the Southend area of Essex.
5
Schools
420
Max Score
~310
Avg. Qualifying
~2 hours (including admin time)
Duration
2
Papers
No
Neg. Marking
Overview
The SET is administered for the four grammar schools in Southend-on-Sea: Southend High School for Boys, Southend High School for Girls, Westcliff High School for Boys, and Westcliff High School for Girls. It tests English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Unlike the CSSE (which covers other Essex grammar schools), the SET is a separate test with its own registration process.
Subjects & Weightage
English
~25%Reading comprehension testing understanding, inference and language skills.
Question Types
What's Covered
Comprehension & Inference
- Retrieving explicitly stated information from a passage
- Making inferences about characters' feelings, motives and behaviour
- Deducing meaning from context clues
- Identifying the writer's purpose and intended audience
- Distinguishing between fact and opinion in texts
Vocabulary & Language
- Defining words and phrases as used in the passage
- Synonyms, antonyms and word families
- Understanding the effect of particular language choices
- Figurative language: simile, metaphor, personification, alliteration
Grammar & Punctuation
- Parts of speech and their functions in sentences
- Correct punctuation usage (commas, apostrophes, speech marks)
- Identifying and correcting grammatical errors
- Sentence structure and clause types
Tip: Regular reading of varied texts helps build the comprehension skills tested. Focus on understanding implied meaning, not just literal facts.
Mathematics
~25%KS2 curriculum maths with some stretch questions testing problem-solving ability.
Question Types
What's Covered
Number & Calculation
- Place value, ordering, rounding to millions and decimal places
- Written methods for all four operations
- BODMAS / order of operations in multi-step calculations
- Factors, multiples, primes and square numbers
- Negative numbers in context
Fractions, Decimals & Percentages
- Comparing, ordering and simplifying fractions
- Four operations with fractions and mixed numbers
- Converting between fractions, decimals and percentages
- Calculating percentages of amounts
Shape, Space & Measure
- Properties of 2D and 3D shapes
- Perimeter, area (including compound shapes) and volume
- Angle calculation (triangle, straight line, full turn)
- Coordinates, symmetry and transformations
- Metric unit conversions (length, mass, capacity, time)
Problem Solving & Data
- Multi-step word problems with money, time and measures
- Interpreting charts, graphs, tables and timetables
- Mean, median, mode and range
- Ratio and simple proportion
Tip: Ensure all KS2 topics are secure. Practice multi-step problems and working efficiently under time constraints.
Verbal Reasoning
~25%Logical thinking and language-based reasoning skills.
Question Types
What's Covered
Word Relationships & Vocabulary
- Word analogies — identifying the relationship pattern
- Synonyms and antonyms in reasoning contexts
- Odd one out from groups of words
- Compound words, word building and word fragments
Codes, Letters & Patterns
- Letter-number code breaking
- Alphabet position questions (nth letter, shifts)
- Letter series — finding rules and predicting the next term
- Hidden words within sentences
- Rearranging letters (anagrams) and words
Logic & Deduction
- Drawing conclusions from given statements
- Ordering and sequencing from clues
- True, false or cannot tell reasoning
- Elimination-based puzzles
Tip: Systematic practice of different verbal reasoning question types. Learn strategies for each type — many have predictable solving methods.
Non-Verbal Reasoning
~25%Pattern recognition and spatial reasoning using visual elements.
Question Types
What's Covered
Sequences & Series
- Identifying the next shape in a progressive sequence
- Recognising rotation, reflection, shading and size changes
- Sequences with multiple simultaneous rule changes
Analogies & Matrices
- Shape analogies — applying a transformation to complete the pair
- 3×3 matrices — finding the missing piece from row/column rules
- Identifying layered rules within a grid
Classification & Odd One Out
- Identifying the shape that doesn't belong based on shared properties
- Grouping shapes by common features (sides, angles, shading, line type)
Spatial Reasoning
- Reflection across horizontal and vertical axes
- Rotation by 90° and 180° (clockwise and anticlockwise)
- Folding nets to identify the correct 3D shape
- Paper folding and hole-punching predictions
- Combining shapes and identifying overlapping figures
Tip: Learn to identify the rules governing pattern changes (rotation, size, shading, position). Speed improves with familiarity.
Test Format & Scoring
Total Duration
Approximately 2 hours (including admin time)
Papers
2 papers covering all four subjects
Question Format
Multiple-choice
Scoring
Max score approximately 420. Scores are age-standardised. The qualifying threshold varies each year based on cohort performance.
No negative marking — always attempt every question, even if you're unsure.
Test Day Information
What to Bring
- HB pencils
- An eraser
- No calculators or electronic devices
- Water bottle
- A snack for the break
Breaks
A short supervised break between papers (approximately 15 minutes).
Test Centres
The test is usually sat at one of the four Southend grammar schools. You'll be notified of your allocated centre after registration.
Special Arrangements
Apply during registration with supporting evidence. The SET committee reviews all applications for access arrangements.
Preparation Advice
When to Start
12 months before the test is a good starting point. Start gently with reasoning familiarisation, building intensity through Year 5.
Key Resources
GL-style practice papers (CGP, Bond, Letts) are appropriate preparation. The Southend consortium provides some familiarisation materials.
Practice Tips
Balance practice across all four subjects. Many children are weakest in verbal reasoning as it's not taught in school — allocate extra time here.
Important Notes
SET is separate from CSSE — registering for one does not register you for the other
Registration typically opens in May/June
The test is usually in September, on a Saturday
All four Southend grammar schools share the same test and qualifying threshold
Distance criteria apply after qualifying — living closer to the school is an advantage
Schools Using the SET (Selective Eligibility Test)
5 grammar schools use this test. Click any school to view full details.
Selection Methods
Schools in this consortium use the following selection methods to allocate places after the test:
Ready to check your chances?
Enter your postcode to see which SET (Selective Eligibility Test) schools you could realistically get into — with distance, score and selection method analysis.