Transfer test checklist (Northern Ireland)

Before and during registration

• Check your child is in the right year group. For this cycle, the test is for children born 2 July 2015 to 1 July 2016Source for SEAG (Northern Ireland): Eligibility2026SEAG (Northern Ireland): Eligibility2026CloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: Children born between 2nd July 2015 and 1st July 2016, who will be transferring from primary to Year 8 post- primary education in September 2027 are eligible to take the SEAG 2026 Entrance Assessment.View the official source.
• Register with SEAG in the registration window: 18 May to 18 September 2026, with a further window from 21 to 24 September 2026Source for SEAG (Northern Ireland): RegistrationSEAG (Northern Ireland): RegistrationCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: The Registration period is open from 8am on Monday 18th May 2026 until 11:59pm on Friday 18th September 2026.View the official source.
• Pay the fee: £20 (free with FSME)Source for SEAG (Northern Ireland): FeeSEAG (Northern Ireland): FeeCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: For 2026, as for 2025, there is a non-refundable administration fee of £20 to register a child to sit the Entrance Assessment.View the official source.
• Choose the language. SEAG offers English and Irish versionsSource for SEAG (Northern Ireland): Irish versionSEAG (Northern Ireland): Irish versionCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: Both English and Gaeilge versions of the Assessment will be available.View the official source.
• Apply for access arrangements, if your child needs them. SEAG's rule is that they must be applied for by the published deadline with verified evidence, must reflect the child’s normal way of working in class, and can include up to 25% extra timeSource for SEAG (Northern Ireland): access arrangementsSEAG (Northern Ireland): access arrangementsCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: Access Arrangements cannot be put in place solely for the Entrance Assessment. They must reflect the Normal Way of Working in the classroom.View the official source.
• Look at the practice papers together, once or twice. SEAG's practice papers are free to download; SEAG sells noneSource for SEAG (Northern Ireland): free practice papersSEAG (Northern Ireland): free practice papersCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: No, SEAG do not sell any practice papers.View the official source. See where to find the SEAG practice papers.

When the pupil card arrives

• Look out for the pupil card. This year cards were issued on Friday 9 October 2026Source for Northern Ireland 2027 entry: Pupil cardsNorthern Ireland 2027 entry: Pupil cardsCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: Friday, 9th October 2026View the official source.
• Check the details on the card carefully. Contact SEAG if anything is wrong.
• Plan the journey to the test centre, and allow spare time on both Saturdays.

The two test Saturdays

• Paper 1: Saturday 14 November 2026Source for SEAG (Northern Ireland): Paper1SEAG (Northern Ireland): Paper1CloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: Saturday, 14th November 2026View the official source.
• Paper 2: Saturday 21 November 2026Source for SEAG (Northern Ireland): Paper2SEAG (Northern Ireland): Paper2CloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: Saturday, 21st November 2026View the official source.
• Pack the night before: whatever your SEAG letters say to bring, plus glasses, medication or a drink if needed.
• Tell your child what to expect: each paper starts with a short practice section that does not countSource for SEAG (Northern Ireland): Practice sectionSEAG (Northern Ireland): Practice sectionCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: Paper 1 and Paper 2 are Identical in format. Both have a short Practice Test Section to help pupils become familiar with the Paper and with using the Answer Sheet.View the official source, so there is time to settle in.
• If your child is ill for one paper, follow the guidance in your SEAG letters. If a child sits only one paper, their single paper is still marked and they get results marked "e" for estimateSource for SEAG (Northern Ireland): One paper estimateSEAG (Northern Ireland): One paper estimateCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: Such pupils will, however, have their “single paper” marked by GL Assessment and will receive a Statement of Outcomes.View the official source.

Our general 11+ test-day checklist has more on the night before and the morning itself.

Results and re-marks

• Results day: Saturday 23 January 2027Source for SEAG (Northern Ireland): OutcomesSEAG (Northern Ireland): OutcomesCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: It is planned that SEAG results will be released on Saturday 23rd January 2027.View the official source. Our guide to transfer test results explains scores and bands.
• Remember that each school uses results its own way: each school decides how to use the resultsSource for SEAG (Northern Ireland): Schools decide useSEAG (Northern Ireland): Schools decide useCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: Decisions relating to the Year 8 Admissions Criteria such as whether to use Total Standardised Age Score, Band, a combination of both or by some other method are entirely a matter for the Board of Governors of each SEAG school.View the official source.
• Decide whether to ask for a re-mark. The window opens on Monday 25 January 2027Source for SEAG (Northern Ireland): Remark opensSEAG (Northern Ireland): Remark opensCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: Monday, 25th January 2027View the official source and closes on Wednesday 3 February 2027Source for SEAG (Northern Ireland): Remark closesSEAG (Northern Ireland): Remark closesCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: Wednesday, 3rd February 2027View the official source. See re-marks.

Applying for a school place

• Remember who runs admissions: the post-primary admissions process is run by the Education Authority, not SEAGSource for SEAG (Northern Ireland): Ea runs admissionsSEAG (Northern Ireland): Ea runs admissionsCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: The Post Primary Admissions Process is run by the Education Authority – SEAG has no role in this.View the official source.
• Watch for the application opening, around February 2027Source for Northern Ireland 2027 entry: Transfer application startsNorthern Ireland 2027 entry: Transfer application startsCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: This happens as part of the Post Primary Transfer Application Process which begins around February 2027 and is run by the Education Authority, not SEAG.View the official source.
• Read each school's admissions criteria before you rank them. Our Northern Ireland grammar schools list links to each school.
• List your preferences. The Education Authority asks families to list at least four schools, including a non-grammarSource for Northern Ireland transfer: PreferencesNorthern Ireland transfer: PreferencesCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against nidirect (NI Government).The source says: You should send your child’s application via the online portal, listing at least four schools, including a non-grammar school.View the official source. See the transfer application.

Looking after your child

• Keep practice short and calm in the weeks before the test.
• Praise effort after each paper, not how it seemed to go.
• Avoid going through questions in detail afterwards.
• Plan something nice for after Paper 2, whatever happens.

Related pages

• Northern Ireland transfer test guide
• Northern Ireland transfer test dates
• Transfer test results explained
• Transfer test re-marks
• 11+ test-day checklist

Sources

Facts on this page come from archived official sources checked between 9 and 12 October 2026: the Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG) and the Education Authority (Northern Ireland).

ExamKind is independent and is not connected with SEAG, the Education Authority or any school. How we make our content.