What Does My Child Need to Know for the SEAG Transfer Test?

Understanding the SEAG Entrance Assessment

The SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group) Entrance Assessment replaced the

previous AQE and GL Transfer Tests in November 2023. This assessment is used by all 63 grammar schools in Northern Ireland that employ academic selection criteria for Year 8 admissions.

Your child doesn't have to take the Transfer Test, but if you're considering a grammar school place, you'll need to make this decision and register during the registration period, which typically runs from May to September of your child's P7 year.

Is My Child Ready for the Transfer Test?

One of your first questions might be: "Is my child capable of sitting the Transfer Test and what do they need to know?"

The Transfer Test is challenging, and every child needs a substantial knowledge base fully embedded by early P7. Success is rarely achieved through last-minute cramming in the final weeks of P6 or the first few weeks of P7. However, with careful preparation spread over a longer period, success is achievable.

The Assessment Format

The SEAG Entrance Assessment consists of two papers:

• Paper 1 and Paper 2 are sat on separate Saturdays, typically two weeks apart in November

• Both papers contain a mixture of English and Mathematics questions

• Questions include both multiple-choice and free response (supply) items

• Both papers contribute equally to your child's final outcome

What Mathematics Does My Child Need to Know?

The Mathematics assessment is based entirely on the Northern Ireland Curriculum for Key Stage 2. Your child will need to demonstrate knowledge and skills across several key areas:

Number and Number Notation

• Understanding place value and how digits represent different values

• Working with whole numbers, decimals (up to two decimal places)

• Multiplying and dividing by 10, 100, and 1,000

• Rounding and estimating to the nearest 10 or 100

• A solid grasp of multiplication tables and number bonds

• Quick and accurate addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division

• Understanding fractions (¼, ½, ¾)

Patterns, Relationships and Sequences

• Recognising number patterns and sequences

• Making predictions based on patterns

Measurement

• Length, weight, capacity, and time

• Reading scales, including negative temperatures (Celsius only)

• Understanding analogue and 24-hour clock time, including a.m. and p.m.

• Reading and interpreting timetables

Shape and Space

• Recognising and classifying 2D shapes (quadrilaterals, circles, triangles, polygons)

• Understanding 3D shapes (cubes, cuboids, cones, cylinders, spheres, triangular prisms, pyramids)

• Calculating perimeter of simple shapes

• Finding area by counting squares and through calculation

• Finding volume by counting cubes

Position, Movement and Direction

• Understanding turns (¼, ½, ¾, whole turns)

• Clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation

• Eight points of the compass

• Using coordinates to plot points in the first quadrant

Data Handling

• Reading and interpreting graphs, charts, and tables

• Understanding pie charts and bar charts

Money and Probability

• Practical money problems

• Basic probability concepts

Problem Solving

Your child must be able to apply all these skills to complex problem-solving questions, interpreting situations mathematically using appropriate symbols or diagrams.

What Does My Child Need for the English Section?

The English (Literacy) assessment is based on the Northern Ireland Curriculum for Language and Literacy at Key Stage 2, focusing on Reading and Writing.

Reading Comprehension

The key to success in literacy is encouraging your child to read as widely as possible. Children who read extensively will naturally:

• Increase their vocabulary

• Improve their spelling

• Be exposed to various text formats used in the assessment

Your child will need to:

• Demonstrate literal and inferential interpretation of various texts

• Understand prose (fiction and non-fiction), poetry, and graphic texts

• Recognise rhyme, verse structure, word play, and dialect

• Understand how language can be manipulated to affect the reader

• Locate, select, evaluate, and communicate information relevant to specific tasks

• Make inferences and deductions based on evidence from texts

Grammar and Language

Your child should understand:

• Parts of speech: nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs

• Homophones (words that sound the same but have different meanings, e.g., "were" and "wear")

• Synonyms (words with the same meaning)

• Antonyms (words with opposite meanings)

• Alphabetical order

Punctuation

Your child should be confident with:

• Capital letters

• Full stops

• Commas

• Colons and semicolons

• Question marks

• Exclamation marks

• Apostrophes

• Speech marks and quotation marks

• Hyphens and brackets

Spelling

Correct spelling will be tested throughout the assessment.

Important Note

The SEAG assessment does NOT require extended written responses. Candidates will not need to write more than a few words or one to two sentences, and no marks are awarded for handwriting.

How to Prepare

Start Early

Allow adequate time for your child to prepare and absorb all this knowledge. Ideally, begin preparation at least one year ahead, though even a few weeks can make a difference with the right approach.

Work from Your Child's Level

• Start from your child's present level of knowledge

• Help them learn from their mistakes

• Use a simple, clear strategy

Practice Exam Technique

Knowledge alone isn't enough. Children need practice and experience in exam techniques for both subject areas. Research shows that careful practice can improve performance by 15-20%.

Keep It Balanced

• Don't talk about the Transfer Test constantly

• Use breaks, treats, and bite-sized learning sessions

• Be realistic about your child's potential

• Try to make the process positive, regardless of the outcome

Support School Learning

SEAG emphasises that schools are not being asked to teach beyond the requirements of the NI Curriculum. Your child should be well-prepared by being taught English and Maths within the NI Curriculum to the usual high standards of their primary school. You can support this by:

• Ensuring homework is always completed to a high standard

• Encouraging reading beyond assigned homework

• Providing additional practice at home

Where to Find More Information

Full details of the content tested in the SEAG Entrance Assessment, including the official specification documents, can be found on the SEAG website at www.seagni.co.uk in the Guidance for Parents – Resources section.

For specific questions about registration, access arrangements, or the assessment process, visit the SEAG website or contact them at admin@seagni.co.uk.

Remember: success in the Transfer Test comes from a combination of solid curriculum knowledge, regular practice, good exam technique, and adequate preparation time.