The Northern Ireland transfer test (SEAG)

What is the transfer test?

The test is run by the Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG): a not-for-profit company of the 63 NI schools that use academic selectionSource for SEAG (Northern Ireland): BodySEAG (Northern Ireland): BodyCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: The Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG) is a not for profit, private limited company, open to all 63 of the post-primary schools in N. Ireland which use academic selection for all or part of their Year 8 intake.View the official source. It is set and marked by GL AssessmentSource for SEAG (Northern Ireland): Setter markerSEAG (Northern Ireland): Setter markerCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: The SEAG Entrance Assessment is being set and marked by GL Assessment.View the official source, and covers English (or Irish) and maths. The format, scoring and bands are explained on our SEAG format page.

Sitting the test is optional. Children who do not sit it can still apply to post-primary schools; they just won't have a SEAG result for schools that use one.

Who can sit it this year?

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 can sit the 2026 test, for transfer in September 2027. SEAG explains that a small number of children outside this range can also sit it if they are moving to Year 8 a year early or late, and that children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs follow a separate admissions process.

What are the key dates for September 2027 entry?

We will add the Education Authority's dates for 2027 as soon as they are published. Our transfer test dates page is kept up to date.

How much does it cost?

Registration costs £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; FSME means Free School Meals Entitlement. If your child is entitled to free school meals, you will need to upload evidence from the Education Authority when you register.

How are results given?

Your child's Statement of Outcomes shows:

• a Total Standardised Age Score (138 to 282, average 200Source for SEAG (Northern Ireland): total score range (total standardised age score)SEAG (Northern Ireland): total score range (total standardised age score)CloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: The Total SAS range will be 138-282 with a mean (or average) of 200.View the official source);
• separate English (or Irish) and maths scores (69 to 141, average 100Source for SEAG (Northern Ireland): score range for each subject (standardised age score, SAS)SEAG (Northern Ireland): score range for each subject (standardised age score, SAS)CloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: The English/Irish SAS range will be 69-141 with a mean (or average) of 100View the official source);
• a band: Band 1 = top 40%; Bands 2–5 = 10% each; Band 6 = below the 20th percentileSource for SEAG (Northern Ireland): BandsSEAG (Northern Ireland): BandsCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: Outcomes are also given as one of six Bands. [...] Band 1 60% or higher Band 2 50-59% Band 3 40-49% Band 4 30-39% Band 5 20-29% Band 6 less than 20% [...] Pupils in Band 1 will be in the top 40% of those who sat the Assessment. Bands 2-5 will each contain 10% of the total cohort.View the official source.

The results explained page goes through what each number means. If you think there has been a marking error, you can ask for a re-mark between 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 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.

How do schools use the results?

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. Some admit by score, some by band, and many use other criteria too, such as siblings or being the eldest child. Read each school's criteria carefully before you apply.

How do you apply for a post-primary place?

After results, you apply to the Education Authority. nidirect advises: 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. Including a non-grammar school matters, because if a school cannot offer a place, your application passes to your next preference. See applying after the transfer test.

How can you help your child prepare and stay calm?

• Use the free official practice papers. 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. Our page on SEAG practice papers shows where to find them and what the pack includes.
• Practise with the answer sheet so filling it in feels routine.
• Keep the two Saturdays low-key: a normal breakfast, an early arrival and something nice planned for afterwards.
• Talk about results day before it comes, and make sure your child knows they have good options whatever happens.
• If your child has a significant need, look at SEAG's access arrangements: 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.

Related pages

• SEAG format: papers, scoring and bands
• Transfer test results explained: scores, bands and what happens next
• Transfer test re-marks
• Applying for a post-primary place after the transfer test
• Grammar schools in Northern Ireland
• Transfer test checklist
• Keeping perspective

Sources

Facts on this page come from archived official sources checked on 9 October 2026: SEAG (frequently asked questions, key dates, assessment guide, access arrangements guide, practice materials) and nidirect (transfer to a post-primary school).

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