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The Royal School Armagh: Year 8 entry

College Hill, Armagh, BT61 9DH

Facts checked 19 October 2026By ExamKind Editorial TeamSchool website

Some details are being re-checked

We check every fact against the official source on a schedule, and some details on this page are due their next check (last verified 19 October 2026). We'll update the page if anything has changed. How we check facts

Can we apply, and what did it take?

For September 2027 entry

  • How places are decided

    By test score, in rank order

    No minimum score stated; 'The cut-off for admission will therefore be the 100th place.'

    Checked, source: Royal School Armagh, checked

  • Year 8 places

    100

    2026 entry, Published Admission Number ()

    Checked, source: Royal School Armagh, checked

  • Last distance offered

    Not publishedWe have no checked figure for how far offers reached.

Your next deadlines

  1. Next: Re-mark requests close

    in about 15 weeks

    Only if you want the test papers marked again

  2. Coming up: Appeal deadline

    in about 30 weeks

How far offers reached

Can we get in?

How places are given

Northern Ireland grammar schools give Year 8 places using their own admissions criteria, often in order of transfer test result. The Royal School Armagh's criteria are under Admission rules on this page.

Qualifying is not the same as being offered a place.

Reaching the school's standard means your child can be considered. If more children qualify than there are places, the school gives places using its admission rules, in order. The figures below show how far those rules reached in past years. They are history, not a prediction: they change every year with who applies.

Checked, source: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked

Most Northern Ireland schools do not publish how far places reached. Read the school's admissions criteria to see how it ranks applicants, and what transfer test results mean.

At a glance

The Royal School Armagh in brief

tap a value for its source

Year 8 places
100Year 8 placesChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Royal School Armagh.The source says: | Email: info@royalschool.com | Admissions Number: | 100 |View the official source2026 entry
The (PAN): how many children the school plans to admit.
Pupils
co-educationalPupilsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Royal School Armagh.The source says: The Royal School, Armagh is a voluntary grammar school for boys and girls offering a wide-ranging curriculum of academic courses.View the official source
Who the school admits.
Entrance test
SEAG Entrance Assessment (the NI transfer test)
The test children sit to be considered.

Key dates

Dates for September 2027 entry

For children in P7 in 2026/27.

Add to my calendar

SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group)

3 earlier steps, all doneShow

  1. Done: Test registration opens

  2. Done: Test registration closes

  3. Done: Admission cards sent for the test

  1. Next: Test day

  2. Coming up: Transfer test, paper 1

  3. Coming up: Transfer test, paper 2

  4. Coming up: Results

  5. Coming up: Re-mark requests open

  6. Coming up: Re-mark requests close

    in about 15 weeks

    Only if you want the test papers marked again

  7. Coming up: Appeal deadline

    in about 30 weeks

    Source: nidirect (NI Government), checked

  8. Not published yet: Transfer application deadline (to the Education Authority)

    Not yet published, checked 17 Oct 2026

  9. Not published yet: School place outcomes

    Not yet published, checked 9 Oct 2026

Year 5 now? Dates for September 2028 entryNone of these dates are published yet.

  1. Not published yet: Test day

    Not yet published, checked 9 Oct 2026

  2. Not published yet: Results

    Not yet published, checked 9 Oct 2026

  3. Not published yet: Appeal deadline

    Not yet published, checked 9 Oct 2026

  4. Not published yet: Transfer application deadline (to the Education Authority)

    Not yet published, checked 9 Oct 2026

Notes on these dates

How last year's window ran at this school: Online Transfer Application via EA Connect (27 January 2026 12 noon to 19 February 2026 12 noon; late to 4pm 24 February 2026). Boarding applicants also apply via the EA portal and contact the school.The Royal School Armagh: Application route (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Royal School Armagh.The source says: The application procedure opens on the EA Connect for online applications on Tuesday 27 January 2026 at 12 noon (GMT) and must be submitted by the closing date via EA Connect by 12 noon (GMT) on Thursday 19 February 2026 and will be marked as a ‘punctual’ application.View the official source Late applications (after 12 noon 19 February to 4pm 24 February 2026) are treated equally with punctual ones.The Royal School Armagh: Late applicationsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Royal School Armagh.The source says: During the admissions procedure when applying the criteria, punctual applications and late applications will be treated equally and the Admissions Criteria applied.View the official source

How places are given

11 admission rules, in order, for 2026 entry

If more children qualify than there are places, The Royal School Armagh gives places using these rules (its ), in this order (the 2026 rules; the rules for 2027 entry are not published yet).

  1. 1

    First 80 places in Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) rank order (ties at 80th place resolved by tie-breakers)

    The policy's own words
    1. The first 80 places from the Admission Number of 100 will be allocated to candidates based on the TSAS rank order of their respective scores;
  2. 2

    Up to 15 boarding places after interview with the Headmaster; Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group () not required

    The policy's own words
    2. Up to a maximum of 15 boarding places will then be allocated from the Admissions Number of 100.
  3. 3

    Remaining day places from a pool of the next 20 by TSAS, allocated by tie-breakers

    The policy's own words
    3. If, after the application of 1 and 2 above there are any remaining day places from the Admission Number these will be allocated from a pool of 20 candidates
  4. 4

    Then candidates who have not taken SEAG, by tie-breakers

    The policy's own words
    4. If, following the application of criteria 1, 2, and 3 all the available places in the School’s Admission Number have not been filled, the School will consider for admission any candidates who have not taken the SEAG.
  5. 5

    Tie-breaker (i): Preparatory Department pupils

    The policy's own words
    (i) Candidates enrolled in the School’s Preparatory Department as at 1 September 2024
  6. 6

    (ii) brother or sister in the Secondary Department or accepted for September 2026

    The policy's own words
    (ii) Candidates with a brother or sister currently enrolled in the School’s Secondary Department
  7. 7

    (iii) multiple-birth sibling being admitted

    The policy's own words
    (iii) Candidates who are siblings of a multiple birth (e.g., twins or triplets)
  8. 8

    (iv) eldest child of the family eligible

    The policy's own words
    (iv) Candidates who are the eldest child of the family to be eligible for admission in September 2026
  9. 9

    (v) entitled to Free School Meals

    The policy's own words
    (v) Candidates who are entitled to Free School Meals (FSME)*;
  10. 10

    (vi) rank order of score

    The policy's own words
    (vi) If after all the criteria 5(i) to 5(v) have been exhausted it becomes necessary to make a further selection, places will be allocated on the basis of the rank order of the candidates’ respective score;
  11. 11

    (vii) computerised random selection

    The policy's own words
    (vii) If more than one candidate is eligible for the final place because they have equal scores which is not resolved by the application of the above criteria, then the Board of Governors will select the remaining candidate(s) using computerised random selection.

Source: Royal School Armagh, checked

More detail from our guide

Please note the year. This section follows the school's "Admissions criteria for entry September 2026The Royal School Armagh: Document title (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Royal School Armagh.The source says: Admissions criteria for entry September 2026View the official source". Criteria for September 2027 entry are The Royal School Armagh: Criteria published (2027)Not yet published by Royal School Armagh; last checked 9 Oct 2026.The source says: https://royalschool.com/wp-content/plugins/pdf-viewer/stable/web/viewer.html?file=https://royalschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/The-Royal-School-Armagh-Admissions-Criteria-2026-2027.pdfView the official source, and the governors may change them. Treat the detail as last year's pattern.

Here is the whole 2026 list in the school's order: (1) First 80 places in TSAS rank order (ties at 80th place resolved by tie-breakers). (2) Up to 15 boarding places after interview with the Headmaster; SEAG not required. (3) Remaining day places from a pool of the next 20 by TSAS, allocated by tie-breakers. (4) Then candidates who have not taken SEAG, by tie-breakers. (5) Tie-breaker (i): Preparatory Department pupils. (6) (ii) brother or sister in the Secondary Department or accepted for September 2026. (7) (iii) multiple-birth sibling being admitted. (8) (iv) eldest child of the family eligible. (9) (v) entitled to Free School Meals. (10) (vi) rank order of score. (11) (vii) computerised random selection.The Royal School Armagh: Oversubscription criteria (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Royal School Armagh.The source says: B. Admission CriteriaView the official source

It helps to think of three routes.

Route one: the first day places, by score

First 80 day places in strict TSAS rank order; remaining day places allocated from a pool of the next 20 candidates by TSAS (pool enlarged for ties), within which tie-breakers (prep department, sibling, multiple-birth sibling, eldest child, FSME) apply before score.The Royal School Armagh: Selection metric (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Royal School Armagh.The source says: 3. If, after the application of 1 and 2 above there are any remaining day places from the Admission Number these will be allocated from a pool of 20 candidates comprised of those identified by rank order of their SEAG TSAS with those achieving higher scores being allocated places before those with lower scores to the pool. ... Candidates from this pool will be allocated to the remaining places on application of the tie-breaker criteria.View the official source So for the opening block, score alone counts. Children living in Northern Ireland were considered before others, and the order of preferences on your form was not used. Lowest score accepted? No minimum score stated; 'The cut-off for admission will therefore be the 100th place.'The Royal School Armagh: Entrance threshold (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Royal School Armagh.The source says: The cut-off for admission will therefore be the 100 place.View the official source

Route two: boarding

Up to 15 of the 100 Year 8 places are for boarders. NI families apply via the EA portal (marking boarding) and contact the school first. Boarders have a suitability interview with the Headmaster, need no SEAG result, siblings of boarders come first, and must board to the end of Year 12.The Royal School Armagh: BoardingChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Royal School Armagh.The source says: Northern Ireland boarding applicants will be required to make an online application through the Education Authority portal in the same way as a ‘day place’ applicant and indicating their preference for boarding. ... 2. Up to a maximum of 15 boarding places will then be allocated from the Admissions Number of 100. All candidates applying for a boarding place must attend for an interview with the Headmaster in order to establish their suitability for boarding. The candidate is not required to have taken the SEAG ... Brothers or sisters of boarders on the School roll at the time of application will be given priority for a boarding place. Boarding places are offered and accepted on the understanding that the candidate will remain in boarding until the end of Year 12. ... A separate Admission Criteria is applicable in respect of boarding places and is available to parents upon request.View the official source If you are thinking about boarding, speak to the school before you fill in the transfer application.

Route three: the pool, where tie-breakers come first

The remaining day places went to a pool of children just below the first block. Inside the pool, score came near the end. The order was:

  • Prep department. Tie-breaker (i): enrolled in the School's Preparatory Department at 1 September 2024 and still enrolled on 9 May 2026. Named schools: The Royal School Armagh Preparatory DepartmentThe Royal School Armagh: Feeder criterion (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Royal School Armagh.The source says: (i) Candidates enrolled in the School’s Preparatory Department as at 1 September 2024 and who continue to be enrolled as on 9 May 2026;View the official source
  • Brother or sister. Brother or sister currently enrolled in the Secondary Department or accepted for September 2026 ('brother or sister' = both parents in common, or children residing with the same family at the Normal Home Address incl. foster and step siblings). Separate tie-breaker (iii) for multiple-birth siblings.The Royal School Armagh: Sibling criterion (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Royal School Armagh.The source says: (ii) Candidates with a brother or sister currently enrolled in the School’s Secondary Department (details to be supplied) or accepted for enrolment in September 2026;View the official source
  • Twins and other multiple births, where one is being admitted.
  • Eldest child. Tie-breaker (iv): eldest child of the family to be eligible for admission in September 2026 ('eldest eligible' covers e.g. 7+ year gap, family moved residence, older sibling cannot attend mainstream).The Royal School Armagh: Eldest child criterion (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Royal School Armagh.The source says: (iv) Candidates who are the eldest child of the family to be eligible for admission in September 2026 (details to be supplied;View the official source
  • Free school meals. No places are set aside, but FSME entitlement is a tie-breaker.
  • Score, highest first.
  • Random selection. Computerised random selection, as determined by the Board of Governors and overseen by a governor.The Royal School Armagh: Final tie break (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Royal School Armagh.The source says: then the Board of Governors will select the remaining candidate(s) using computerised random selection. The computerised random selection process, as determined by the Board of Governors, will be overseen by a representative from the Board of Governors.View the official source

The same tie-breakers settle a tie at the edge of the first block, and they also order any children who did not sit SEAG.

Other situations

Children without a SEAG result. Non-SEAG candidates considered for day places only if places remain after criteria 1-3 (tie-breakers apply if oversubscribed). Single-paper ('e') candidates considered only under Special Provisions. All are expected to sit SEAG unless they took up NI residence after 26 September 2025. Boarding applicants need not sit SEAG.The Royal School Armagh: Applicants without result (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Royal School Armagh.The source says: 4. If, following the application of criteria 1, 2, and 3 all the available places in the School’s Admission Number have not been filled, the School will consider for admission any candidates who have not taken the SEAG. In the event that the number of such candidates exceeds the number of remaining places, allocation of the remaining places will be made by applying the tie-breaker criteria.View the official source

Special circumstances. These applied to day places in 2026: Special Circumstances for day-place candidates: medical or other problems causing exceptional negative SEAG performance, with independent contemporaneous evidence (dated October/November 2025), raw scores from Papers 1 and 2, and primary school comparative data; Form SC from the school website, uploaded with the Transfer Application; a governors' subcommittee may adjust the score (e.g. using polynomial and linear trendlines).The Royal School Armagh: Special circumstances (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Royal School Armagh.The source says: The Royal School has academic performance as its first criterion, subject only to the consideration of medical or other problems which may have resulted in an exceptional negative performance in the SEAG and which are supported by independent contemporaneous (i.e. should be dated October/November 2025) documentary evidence of a medical or other appropriate nature.View the official source

Waiting list. Year 8 vacancies offered to the next applicant on the original transfer rank order; list carries forward to the end of Year 10.The Royal School Armagh: Waiting listChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Royal School Armagh.The source says: (a) If a vacancy arises and is to be filled during Year 8, the next applicant on the original transfer list rank order will be contacted. This waiting list will transfer automatically until the end of Year 10.View the official source

The test

SEAG Entrance Assessment (the NI transfer test)
Test
SEAG Entrance Assessment (the NI transfer test)
Test date, 2027 entry
Saturday 14 November 2026

For day places, the Royal School uses the SEAG Entrance AssessmentThe Royal School Armagh: Test family by entry year (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: All 63 post-primary schools in N. Ireland which include academic selection within their Year 8 admissions criteria accept the SEAG Entrance Assessment Outcomes.View the official source. Children sit two papers, English (or Irish) and mathsSEAG (Northern Ireland): the two test papersChecked 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, set by GL AssessmentSEAG (Northern Ireland): Setter markerChecked 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, on Saturday 14 November 2026SEAG (Northern Ireland): Paper1Checked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: Saturday, 14th November 2026View the official source and Saturday 21 November 2026SEAG (Northern Ireland): Paper2Checked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: Saturday, 21st November 2026View the official source. The school is a test centre as well.

Not every place depends on the test, though. The 2026 criteria put it like this: Partly academic: day places go by SEAG score (first 80 in score order, then a pool of the next 20 decided by tie-breakers; children without a SEAG result only if places remain). Up to 15 of the 100 places are boarding places given by interview, and SEAG is not required for them.The Royal School Armagh: Academic selection (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Royal School Armagh.The source says: 1. The first 80 places from the Admission Number of 100 will be allocated to candidates based on the TSAS rank order of their respective scores ... 2. Up to a maximum of 15 boarding places will then be allocated from the Admissions Number of 100. ... The candidate is not required to have taken the SEAG, but is not precluded from consideration for a boarding place by having done so.View the official source

For day places, the TSAS (138 to 282, average 200SEAG (Northern Ireland): total score range (total standardised age score)Checked 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) is what matters, not the band. It decides who is in the first block of places and who reaches the pool after that. Results are released on Saturday 23 January 2027SEAG (Northern Ireland): OutcomesChecked 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 SEAG transfer test guide and results explained pages go through the scores.

How the Northern Ireland test works

Open days

All this year's events have passed

  1. Done: Open Evening (2026 entry cycle) (passed)

    7.00pm

Source: Royal School Armagh, checked

If you are refused a place

Reviews, appeals and the waiting list

General information, not legal advice.

This is general information, not legal advice.

If the Royal School is not able to offer a place, the EA passes your application to your next preference.

Who hears an appeal: An independent admissions appeal tribunal set up by the EA; its decisions are binding.Northern Ireland: BodyChecked 9 Oct 2026 against nidirect (NI Government).The source says: If you think that a school has not applied, or not correctly applied its admissions criteria, you have the right of appeal to an independent tribunal. These tribunals are set up by the EA and their decisions are binding.View the official source It can uphold an appeal only where the school didn't apply, or didn't correctly apply, its admissions criteria; the school would have offered the child a place if it had applied its criteria correctlyNorthern Ireland: Uphold testsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against nidirect (NI Government).The source says: The tribunal can only uphold an appeal if: ... they find the school didn't apply or didn't apply correctly its admissions criteria ... and they find the school would have offered the child a place if it had applied its admissions criteria correctlyView the official source. Here, that could mean the score order in the first block, your child's place in the pool, or a tie-breaker such as the prep department or eldest-child rule.

Use the AT1 form, via the EA websiteNorthern Ireland: FormChecked 9 Oct 2026 against nidirect (NI Government).The source says: To appeal a school's decision that has refused your child a place, go to the EA website where you can send the appeal form (AT1 Form).View the official source. The 2027 deadline is 4pm, Thursday 20 May 2027Northern Ireland transfer: Appeal deadlineChecked 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. Last year's was 4pm on Thursday 21 May 2026Northern Ireland 2026 entry: Appeal deadlineChecked 9 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 21 May 2026, no later than 4.00 pm.View the official source.

Official documents and sources

4 sources, each kept as an archived copy

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