--- type: "Article" title: "FSCE Pass Mark and Scores Explained (2028 Entry)" description: "Sitting FSCE in 2027? There is no fixed pass mark. See how standardisation works, the latest published scores (CCHS: 92 or above) and how places are given." resource: https://pip11plus.com/fsce-11-plus-pass-mark-and-scores tags: ["11+", "pip"] timestamp: 2026-10-15T14:43:26Z image: https://pip11plus.com/info-hub-cards/exam-types-pip.jpg --- ๐Ÿ“ Exam Types # FSCE Pass Mark and Scores Explained ![Pip](https://pip11plus.com/media/pip-mark.png) **By the Pip team** Updated October 2026 There is no single FSCE pass mark. Each school sets its own cut-off after the test, from how that year's children did, so your child's number won't be known until after they sit. If your child is in Year 5 now, they sit FSCE in 2027 for September 2028 entry. The latest published figure is from Chelmsford County High School for Girls (CCHS): an eligible score of 92 or above for 2027 entry, set by the girls who sat in September 2026. Year 4 now? Your child sits in 2028 for September 2029 entry, so the same rules apply a year later. Looking for practice material? See [FSCE past papers and free alternatives](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-11-plus-past-papers). This guide explains what the scores mean and shows what schools have actually published, with sources. We haven't made up any numbers, and where a school hasn't published a figure, we say so. **TL;DR** - There is **no fixed national FSCE pass mark**. Each school sets an **eligible score** (or "pass mark") after the test. - Papers are **age standardised**, so a younger child isn't marked down for being younger. - **Latest published (CCHS, 2027 entry, sat in 2026):** **1,119** girls sat the test and **476** reached the eligible score of **92** or above, for **180** places. - No school has published a 2028-entry score yet, because those children sit in 2027. - Being eligible is **not** an offer. Places are then given out by each school's own priority rules, such as home address. - At CCHS, the Creativity paper only counts once your child reaches the standard in the computer-marked papers. ## Is there a pass mark for the FSCE 11 plus? No. FSCE doesn't publish one pass mark for all schools, and the schools say so themselves. Each school's admissions committee works out a cut-off after every child has sat the test. - **CCHS** says its eligible score is "not a pre-defined pass mark". It reflects where a child sits in the rank order of standardised scores, once a minimum standard in Creativity is reached. - **Lancaster Girls' Grammar School** says its Pass Mark is set each year from the cohort's performance. A higher-performing year group may lead to a higher pass mark, and the number can go up or down. - **Reading School** says its eligible score varies from year to year, so comparing with earlier years is "inappropriate". So the 2026 figures can't tell you what your child will need in 2027. They only show how competitive one year was. ## How does age standardisation work? Age standardisation adjusts each child's mark for how old they were on test day, then puts all the marks on one common scale. It stops the youngest children in the year being marked down just for being younger. Children in the same school year can be almost twelve months apart in age. A child with a September birthday has had close to a year longer to learn things than a child with an August birthday. CCHS says its computer-marked papers are age standardised and given a score, and the school then ranks those scores. _Illustration only. FSCE hasn't published its exact standardisation formula, so no real marks or scales are shown._ **What isn't published:** the average, the spread or the top score of the standardised scale. CCHS gives one number (92) but not the scale it sits on, so don't assume it is "out of 100" or "92 per cent". Our guide to [standardised scores in the 11+](https://pip11plus.com/what-is-a-standardised-score-in-the-11-plus) explains the general idea. ## What scores and numbers have FSCE schools published? Only a few, and the latest are for 2027 entry (children who sat in 2026). CCHS has published the most, while Reading School and Lancaster Girls' Grammar publish how they set the standard but not a number. The table lists everything we could verify, with the source. Treat it as what a child sitting in 2027 is up against, not as a target. | School and year | What was published | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Chelmsford County High School for Girls, 2027 entry | **1,119** candidates sat. **476** reached the eligible score: **92 or above** and "of the standard" in Creativity. **180** Year 7 places. | [CCHS results FAQ, October 2026](https://www.cchs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/FAQs.pdf) | | Chelmsford County High School for Girls, 2025 entry (test in 2024) | **1,225** girls sat the selection test and **586** named CCHS as a preference. Seven appeals were heard and none were successful. | [CCHS admissions policy 2027](https://www.cchs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Admissions-Policy-for-Entry-in-2027-Approved-11-Feb-26.pdf) | | Reading School, 2027 entry | No score or candidate numbers published. The eligible score "varies from year to year". **138** day places and **12** weekly boarding places each year. | [Reading School Year 7 entry](https://www.reading-school.co.uk/admissions/year-7-entry) | | Lancaster Girls' Grammar School, 2027 entry (test 26 September 2026) | No pass mark figure found. Pass Mark set after the test from cohort performance. **145** Year 7 places. | [Lancaster 2027 admissions policy](https://lancastergirls.reactfiles.co.uk/uploads/document/Determined-2027-Admissions-Policy.pdf) | | Gloucestershire grammar schools, 2028 entry (first FSCE sitting) | No score yet. Year 5 children sit one shared test of three papers on **Saturday 3 July 2027**. Registration runs from **8 February to 19 March 2027**. | [The Crypt School, 2028 entry information](https://cryptschool.org/2028-entry-information-year-5-september-2026/) | We haven't found published eligible scores for Skipton Girls' High School, Clitheroe Royal Grammar School or Ermysted's Grammar School, and we haven't read their admissions policies. Check each school's own page. Our [Lancaster, Skipton, Clitheroe and Ermysted's guide](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-11-plus-lancaster-skipton-clitheroe-ermysteds) covers that group. Other sites quote FSCE "pass marks" or percentages. We couldn't match any of them to a school or FSCE document, so we haven't repeated them. ## What do the latest CCHS figures tell a family sitting in 2027? In the latest published year (2027 entry), about 43 in every 100 girls who sat the CCHS test reached the eligible score of 92 or above. That works out at 476 of 1,119 (our arithmetic: 476 divided by 1,119 is about 42.5 per cent). That is more than twice the 180 places, and it's the best picture we have of what a girl sitting in 2027 is up against. Not every eligible girl will have named CCHS as a preference, so this isn't a count of offers. _CCHS 2027 entry. 476 eligible girls compared with 180 places. Not every eligible girl will have applied to CCHS._ CCHS also says raw scores are "commercially sensitive", so parents get an eligible or not-eligible result rather than a breakdown. It won't release the internal score that decides whose Creativity paper is marked. ## How does the Creativity paper fit in? At CCHS, the Creativity paper is only judged if your child first reaches the qualifying standard in the computer-marked papers. Passing both stages is what makes a child eligible. 1. **Computer-marked papers first.** They are marked, age standardised and given a score. 2. **A qualifying standard is agreed.** Children who meet it have their Creativity paper judged by trained school staff. 3. **Comparative judgement.** CCHS says Creativity is marked by comparative judgement, not by a mark scheme. 4. **Eligible score.** The eligible score is based on the standardised English and maths scores once the minimum standard for Creativity has been met. Reading School puts it plainly: a child must be "of the standard" in each element, and a high score in one area doesn't make up for a weak one. CCHS won't re-mark Creativity, and you can't appeal a test mark. For the paper itself, see our [Creativity paper guide](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-creativity-paper) and the [writing prompts](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-practice-questions-and-writing-prompts). Lancaster's policy describes two tests, English and maths, which are standardised, combined and ranked. See [the Adventure, Beacon, Compass and Discovery papers](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-adventure-beacon-compass-discovery-papers) for how the papers differ. ## How are places given out once a child is eligible? Each school ranks eligible children using its own oversubscription criteria. Typical priorities are looked-after children first, then home address or catchment, and then rank order by score. The table shows the latest published policies, for 2027 entry. Schools approve each year's policy well ahead (CCHS approved its 2027 policy in February 2026), so check the school's page for the 2028-entry version. | School | How places were allocated for 2027 entry (latest published policy) | | --- | --- | | **CCHS** 180 places | 1) Looked-after and previously looked-after children, up to 5 marks below the eligible score. 2) Children with an EHCP who are eligible. 3) Of the next **144**: up to 30 for Pupil or Service Premium children up to 5 marks below the eligible score who live in the **12.5-mile priority area**, and the rest for eligible girls living in that area. 4) The remaining places (up to **36**) by descending score, wherever the child lives. Priority-area addresses must be held from 31 October of Year 6. | | **Reading School** 138 day places | Six categories in order: priority places (looked-after children, Pupil and Service Premium, social and welfare need, staff children); sporting aptitude (10% of places); Reading feeder schools; Reading priority postcodes; catchment area; all other eligible candidates. The waiting list follows rank order in the test. | | **Lancaster Girls' Grammar** 145 places | Children who reach the Pass Mark, in this order: looked-after children (up to 5% below the Pass Mark); City of Lancaster Pupil Premium children (up to 5% below); other City of Lancaster addresses; staff children; Pupil Premium children outside Lancaster (up to 5% below); everyone else. If fewer children reach the Pass Mark than there are places, all are offered a place. | ### What happens if two children have the same score? Both CCHS and Lancaster break ties by distance. CCHS looks first at identical standardised aggregate scores, then the straight-line distance from home to school, and if that matches too, it uses lots. Lancaster breaks ties by straight-line distance from home to the school. ### When will my child find out, and what happens next? Schools tell parents whether their child is eligible before the common application form closes in late October of Year 6. In 2026, CCHS emailed results on 12 October and Lancaster said parents would hear by 17 October. Expect a similar pattern in autumn 2027, but check the school's page once 2028-entry dates are out. CCHS says equal preference applies, so put the school you most want first on your form. **Building the skills FSCE rewards?** Pip is a full English and maths study companion, pitched to what your child can already do. [Download Pip on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/pip-11-practice/id6775690698) [Get Pip on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pip11plus.app) [Available at Amazon Appstore](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0HKGJ4HTP) ## What does this mean for my child? Aim to do well on every paper, not just your child's favourite one, and check your address rules early. Because the cut-off moves each year, there is no safe mark to aim for. Four things help. **Pro tips** - **Treat the latest number as a guide, not a target.** CCHS's 92 for 2027 entry says how tough one year was. Reading School says comparing with earlier years is inappropriate. - **Check the address rules before the test result.** At CCHS, the 12.5-mile priority area decides which group a girl is in, and the address must be held from 31 October of Year 6. See [do we need to live in the catchment area](https://pip11plus.com/do-we-need-to-live-in-the-catchment-area-for-the-11-plus). - **Don't neglect a weaker paper.** Reading School needs children to be of the standard in each element. Its children's guide says no marks are lost for wrong answers, so children should try every question. - **Don't convert practice scores into an FSCE score.** Frankly, no practice paper or app can predict a standardised score, because the cut-off depends on the other children that year. Use practice to find gaps, not to guess a rank. For free practice, try our [FSCE style practice papers](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-11-plus-practice-papers). For the whole test, see [FSCE 11+ explained](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-11-plus-explained), [which schools use FSCE](https://pip11plus.com/which-schools-use-fsce-11-plus), [Reading School](https://pip11plus.com/reading-school-11-plus-fsce), [subjects](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-11-plus-subjects) and [test day](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-11-plus-test-day). Comparing tests? See [FSCE vs GL vs CSSE](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-vs-gl-vs-csse-11-plus). For answer sheets, see the [answer sheet guide](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-answer-sheet-guide). For appeals, see [can you appeal an 11+ result](https://pip11plus.com/can-you-appeal-an-11-plus-result). ## Where do these figures come from? Everything above comes from school or FSCE documents, checked on 15 October 2026. Schools can update their pages, so check the latest version. - [CCHS: Admission to Year 7 September 2027, FAQs about test results](https://www.cchs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/FAQs.pdf) (October 2026). The 1,119, 476 and 92 figures. - [CCHS admissions policy for entry in 2027](https://www.cchs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Admissions-Policy-for-Entry-in-2027-Approved-11-Feb-26.pdf) (approved 11 February 2026). Eligible score definition, priority area, ties, the 1,225 and 586 figures. - [Reading School: Year 7 entry](https://www.reading-school.co.uk/admissions/year-7-entry). Eligible score wording and the six categories. - [Lancaster Girls' Grammar School: determined 2027 admissions policy](https://lancastergirls.reactfiles.co.uk/uploads/document/Determined-2027-Admissions-Policy.pdf). Pass Mark wording, places, criteria. - [The Crypt School: 2028 entry information](https://cryptschool.org/2028-entry-information-year-5-september-2026/). Gloucestershire test and registration dates. - [Reading School FSCE guide for children](https://www.reading-school.co.uk/attachments/download.asp?file=1465&type=pdf). No marks lost for wrong answers. Pip isn't affiliated with FSCE or any school. The simple standardisation picture above is our own illustration of the general idea. ## Frequently asked questions **What is the FSCE pass mark?** There isn't one fixed FSCE pass mark, because each school sets an eligible score or pass mark after the test, from how the whole year group performed. The latest published figure is CCHS's eligible score of 92 or above for 2027 entry. **What score will my child need if they sit FSCE in 2027?** Nobody knows yet, because each school sets its cut-off after the test from how that year does. Use the latest figure, CCHS's 92 or above for 2027 entry, as a guide to how competitive it is, not as a target. **What score do you need for the FSCE 11 plus?** It depends on the school and the year: CCHS published 92 or above for 2027 entry (the latest figure), and girls also had to be of the standard in Creativity. Reading School and Lancaster Girls' Grammar haven't published a number we could find. **How many girls passed the CCHS FSCE test for 2027 entry?** 476 of the 1,119 candidates (about 43 in every 100) reached the eligible score. CCHS has 180 Year 7 places. **Are FSCE scores age standardised?** CCHS says its computer-marked papers are age standardised and given a score. Lancaster and Reading School also describe standardised results. FSCE hasn't published the exact scale or formula. **Is the FSCE pass mark the same every year?** No. It is set after each sitting. Lancaster says it can go up or down, and Reading School says comparing with earlier years is inappropriate. **Does reaching the pass mark guarantee a place?** No. Lancaster says it doesn't, and CCHS gives places by priority rules once a girl is eligible. Rules such as looked-after status, home address and rank order decide who is offered a place. **Is the Creativity paper always marked?** No. At CCHS it is only judged if your child reaches the qualifying standard in the computer-marked papers. CCHS doesn't re-mark Creativity. **Can I see my child's raw score?** Not at CCHS. It treats raw scores as commercially sensitive, so parents are told whether their daughter is eligible. **Can I appeal an FSCE test mark?** CCHS says you can't appeal a test mark. It offers re-marks at ยฃ75 per paper, not before national offer day on 1 March, and Creativity can't be re-marked (see [can you appeal an 11+ result](https://pip11plus.com/can-you-appeal-an-11-plus-result)). ![Pip](https://pip11plus.com/media/pip-mark.png) Written by **The Pip team** The Pip team builds Pip, the 11+ and KS2 practice app for children in years three to six. We write these guides from real exam formats and past papers. ## Keep reading [The FSCE Creativity Paper](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-creativity-paper): Exam Types How it is judged and what to practise. 7 min read ยท Exam Types [Which Schools Use the FSCE 11+?](https://pip11plus.com/which-schools-use-fsce-11-plus): Exam Types The schools, and what each one sets. 7 min read ยท Exam Types [Standardised Scores in the 11+](https://pip11plus.com/what-is-a-standardised-score-in-the-11-plus): Exam Types What the numbers on a result mean. 6 min read ยท Exam Types ## Preparing for an FSCE school? Pip offers lessons, adaptive practice and full timed mocks (Pro) for English and maths, pitched to what your child can already do. [Download Pip on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/pip-11-practice/id6775690698) [Get Pip on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pip11plus.app) [Available at Amazon Appstore](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0HKGJ4HTP) [Free practice papers](https://pip11plus.com/11-plus-printables) Free forever ยท no sign-up