Applying for a post-primary place after the transfer test

Who applies, and when?

Every child in P7 who is moving to a post-primary school needs an application, whether or not they sat the transfer test. For September 2027 entry, SEAG 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, so most families make their final choices after results. Always use the Education Authority's date for your child's year.

How many schools should I list?

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. If a school cannot offer your child a place, the application passes to your next preference, and this carries on until a place is offered or every preference has been considered.

List schools in your genuine order of preference. Read each school's criteria first, so you know whether your child is likely to meet them.

How do schools decide?

Each school's Board of Governors sets its own admissions criteria, and 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. Schools that use the transfer test may admit by score, by band, or by other criteria within a band. Many also use criteria such as:

• a brother or sister already at the school;
• being the eldest child, an only child, or the eldest boy or girl in the family;
• being entitled to free school meals.

A school uses only the information on your application when it applies its criteria, so fill it in carefully. Each school's criteria for 2027 are linked from its page in our list of Northern Ireland grammar schools.

What do I need to fill in?

The application can ask whether your child:

• has brothers or sisters at a school you are applying to;
• is the eldest child, only child, or eldest boy or girl in the family;
• is registered as entitled to free school meals.

You are responsible for giving accurate information. If you are unsure what a school's criteria mean, ask the school before you apply. Prospectuses are free from schools if you ask.

What if we asked for a re-mark?

You can ask SEAG 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. Do not wait for the re-mark before starting your application: build your list with the score you have, and ask the Education Authority whether and how you can change your application if a re-mark changes the score. See transfer test re-marks.

What happens after I apply?

You are told the outcome at the end of the process through the online portal, and the school may also write to you. If your child does not get a place at any of the schools you listed, you will be asked to choose from schools that still have places, and told how to appeal. For September 2027 entry, the appeals deadline is 4pm, Thursday 20 May 2027Source for Northern Ireland transfer: Appeal deadlineNorthern Ireland transfer: Appeal deadlineCloseChecked 17 Oct 2026 against nidirect (NI Government).The source says: The deadline for receipt of appeal forms against Year 8 decisions by post-primary schools is Thursday 20 May 2027, no later than 4.00 pm.View the official source; we will add it as soon as it is published. This page is general information, not legal advice.

A calm way through

Visiting a range of schools, including non-grammar schools, helps your child picture where they could be happy. Our guide to keeping perspective may help on results weekend.

Related pages

• The Northern Ireland transfer test: the complete guide
• Transfer test results explained
• Transfer test re-marks
• Grammar schools in Northern Ireland
• Northern Ireland transfer test dates

Sources

Facts on this page come from archived official sources checked on 9 October 2026: nidirect (transfer to a post-primary school) and SEAG (frequently asked questions and key dates). General guidance on the application, preferences and notifications follows nidirect's transfer page.

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