SEAG transfer test practice papers

Where can you get the official practice papers?

From SEAG's website: go to the SEAG practice materials page. There is nothing to buy: SEAG says it does not sell any practice papers.

SEAG says these are the only "SEAG Practice Papers", and that it does not endorse any other materials. So if a book or website calls its papers "SEAG papers", they are not from SEAG.

SEAG is 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. The test itself 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.

What is in the SEAG practice pack?

On the practice materials page you will find:

• Practice papers in English and in Irish (Gaeilge). The test itself comes in 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, so choose the language your child will sit it in.
• An answer sheet for each paper, so your child can practise marking answers the way the real test asks.
• A parents' guide with answer keys, which gives the correct answer to every question and some helpful detail about each one.

SEAG says the materials give a clear understanding of the format of the Entrance Assessment. They are a guide to what the test looks like, not a prediction of the questions your child will get.

Why do the official papers matter?

Because they match the real test's format. The SEAG test is two papers, English (or Irish) and mathsSource for SEAG (Northern Ireland): the two test papersSEAG (Northern Ireland): the two test papersCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: The SEAG Entrance Assessment consists of two Papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. Both Papers have an identical format and are set at the same level of difficulty.View the official source, sat on two separate Saturdays. The two papers have the same format and the same level of difficulty. Across both papers there are 56 English and 56 maths questions in totalSource for SEAG (Northern Ireland): Question countSEAG (Northern Ireland): Question countCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: based on the 56 English (or Gaeilge) Questions in Papers 1 and 2 and the 56 Maths questions in Papers 1 and 2.View the official source.

SEAG says the content is based entirely on the Northern Ireland Curriculum for language and literacy and for maths and numeracy at Key Stage 2. In other words, it tests what children learn in primary school, not a separate syllabus.

Two features are worth practising, and the official papers show both:

• The answer sheet. Children mark their answers on a separate sheet. Getting used to it means one less new thing on the day.
• The practice section. In the real test, 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. Your child can use it to settle in.

Our SEAG format page explains the scoring and bands in more detail.

What about other practice books and papers?

SEAG does not endorse any practice material other than its own, and we do not review or recommend particular products. If you use other material, check that it covers English (or Irish) and maths in the same style as SEAG's own papers, and treat it as extra practice rather than a guide to the real test.

You do not need to buy anything to prepare. The official papers are free, and everyday reading, talking and maths at home all help too.

How can you use the practice papers well?

• Start with one paper as a relaxed try-out. Let your child see what the questions and answer sheet look like, with no pressure.
• Mark it together using the parents' guide. Look at the kinds of mistakes, not just the score: misreading a question is a different problem from not knowing a method.
• Spread the papers out. There are only a few official papers, so save some for later. Repeating the same paper soon after tells you little.
• Practise in a quiet spot, such as the kitchen table, since your child will sit the real test at an assessment centre, not at home. A calm, familiar routine helps.
• Stop if your child is tired or upset. A short break helps more than pushing on.

For a balanced view on how much is enough, see how much 11+ practice is enough.

When is the test this year?

For September 2027 entry, Paper 1 is on 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 and Paper 2 is on 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. Results come out on 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. Registration for this year's test ran 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. Our transfer test guide has the full timeline.

What if my child needs access arrangements?

SEAG's rules say 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. If your child has arrangements agreed, practise with the official papers in the same way they will sit the real test, for example with extra time. Our access arrangements guide explains more.

Related pages

• The Northern Ireland transfer test (SEAG): the complete guide
• SEAG format: papers, scoring and bands
• Transfer test results explained
• How much 11+ practice is enough?
• Keeping perspective

Sources

Facts on this page come from archived official sources checked on 9 October 2026: SEAG (frequently asked questions, practice materials, assessment guide, key dates and access arrangements guide).

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