The post Transfer Test – How to make sure my child is getting the right preparation first appeared on On Target Resources.

Nets of cubes refer to when the square faces of a cube are separated at the edges and laid out flat they make a two-dimensional figure called a net. 

What does my child need to know about Nets of Cubes?

Transfer Test Tips – Nets of Cubes come up regularly in the SEAG GL Transfer Tests. They are part of the 3 Dimensional Shape topic. Your child should try and memorise all the nets that form a cube.

Quite often the question will ask your child to identify a net that makes a cube from a group of nets, or it will ask them to identify a net that is not a cube from a group.

There are 11 cube nets to learn. Therefore, if they can master these they will ace any cube net question they come across.

• Learn the 3 groups of cube nets and how to identify them from the picture.
• Blow this info picture up and cut the cubes out. Stick them to the fridge, or the bedroom ceiling! Try to get the images of these nets into their heads so that when they come to tackling a question they have all the facts they need.

Transfer Test Tips – Nets of Cubes is taken from our 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝟰 – 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲. https://bit.ly/3C0rP33

It can be purchased as part of our 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗲. Buy the full package at: https://bit.ly/3p36LmS

How can I get extra support on this topic?

On Target Tuition in Lisburn can help support your child with their Transfer Test learning. Please see our tuition website for more details.

The post Transfer Test Tips – Nets of Cubes first appeared on On Target Resources.

The SEAG GL Transfer Test Explained

What is the process in 2026 for pupils sitting the Transfer Test in Northern Ireland for entry into Grammar School? This blog aims to provide parents with children sitting the new SEAG GL Transfer Test in 2026 with information.  In this post we will define what has changed for children sitting the test and how you can help your child prepare for the SEAG GL Transfer Test, including resources you can use to help build confidence and exam technique.

SEAG Key dates 2026

SEAG have not released the dates for the 2026 tests yet.  Based on last year’s dates these are what they are likely to be.  We will update this website as soon as we have final confirmation.

• Registration opens – Monday 18th May 2026 on the SEAG website.
• Registration closes – Friday 18th September 2026
• First test date – Saturday 14th November 2026
• Second test date – Saturday 21st November 2026
• Results delivered – Saturday 23rd January 2027

How has the Transfer Test changed?

• Previous to 2023, parents will have known the Transfer Test as the AQE or GL test. 
• The new body running the tests in 2023 and beyond is called the SEAG (Schools Entrance Assessment Group) and thus the tests are now called the SEAG Transfer Tests.
• This new test is written by GL Assessment, a company that writes many of the 11 plus tests used in schools across England. 
• The new Northern Irish SEAG test has a format unique to Northern Ireland and was sat by pupils for the first time in November 2023.

What is the format of the new SEAG Transfer Test?

The new SEAG GL Transfer Test contains a mixture of multiple choice questions and free form answers.  The children will have to record all their answers on a separate pupil answer sheet.  

The test covers both the Key Stage 2 maths and English curriculum.  Details of the specification and the curriculum for the test are covered in detail on the resources page of the SEAG website.

How can I help my child prepare for the SEAG Transfer Test?

It is important that you give your child the opportunity to revise the full SEAG curriculum and to experience papers to practise exam technique.  It is important to allow your child to practise using SEAG style practice papers that come with the SEAG style pupil answer sheets.

On Target Resources have developed SEAG style practice papers that mirror the style and questioning found in the SEAG sample paper on their website. Our papers are designed to give children a real test experience.  We have written staged difficulty papers which build up the curriculum and the length of the papers slowly to help ease your child into practice gently, building confidence and knowledge as they go.

Can I get past papers for the 2026 NI Transfer test?

SEAG have said in the media that there will be no past papers available for the new Transfer Test. This is standard for tests administered by GL Assessment. They do not release their past papers. There is however, two sample papers on the SEAG website that parents and teachers can view.  We have created our SEAG style practice papers based on the sample paper provided to give parents the chance to practise the curriculum and format of the SEAG tests.

On Target SEAG Transfer Test Practice Papers

In order to ensure your child’s confidence in their academic skills and encourage sound progress for their learning, we have developed a selection of Transfer Test papers that have different levels of difficulty.  

Level 1 – the easiest level. Reduced curriculum and short papers.

Level 2 – the middle level. Added curriculum and time.

Level 3 –  SEAG test standard papers.  

Find out more about our staged difficulty levelled practice papers on our Levels Explanation Page.

Check if my school is using On Target Resources Practice Papers

Schools and Tutors must purchase a licence to use our resources. Please visit our schools and tutors page for more details.

Buy our SEAG Practice Paper Bundles

• 

  Transfer Test SEAG Style Practice Papers – Level 1, 2 and 3

  £22.00 – £102.00Price range: £22.00 through £102.00
• 

  Transfer Test SEAG Style Practice Papers – Level 3

  £8.00 – £72.00Price range: £8.00 through £72.00
• 

  Transfer Test Revision and Practice Paper Bundle

  £45.00 – £102.00Price range: £45.00 through £102.00
• 

  Transfer Test SEAG Style Practice Papers – Level 1 and Level 2 Bundle

  £15.00 – £40.00Price range: £15.00 through £40.00

Level 1 - Easiest Level

• 

  Transfer Test SEAG Style Practice Papers – Level 1

  £8.00 – £21.00Price range: £8.00 through £21.00

Level 2 - Middle Level

• 

  Transfer Test SEAG Style Practice Papers – Level 2

  £8.00 – £21.00Price range: £8.00 through £21.00

Level 3 - Test Difficulty Practice Papers

• 

  The SEAG Final Countdown Bundle

  £15.00 – £40.00Price range: £15.00 through £40.00
• 

  Transfer Test SEAG Style Practice Papers – Level 3

  £8.00 – £72.00Price range: £8.00 through £72.00
• 

  SEAG 2025 Test-Inspired Practice Papers – Level 3 Bundle.

  £7.00 – £10.00Price range: £7.00 through £10.00
• 

  SEAG Bonus Practice Paper

  £5.00
• 

  SEAG Transfer Test Summer Bundle

  £15.00 – £50.00Price range: £15.00 through £50.00

After Christmas in your child’s P6 year, we recommend our Transfer Test Revision Books.  On Target Resources papers help children revise topics in the SEAG Transfer Test before tackling past papers and practice papers.  The revision books are easy to use and are full of teaching tips and quizzes based on actual past paper questions to get your child used to the style of questioning.  

As a result your child will benefit from increased confidence and knowledge of the curriculum. We update the resources every year and accordingly include any new topics that have appeared in the previous year’s AQE papers.  

• 

  The SEAG Final Countdown Bundle

  £15.00 – £40.00Price range: £15.00 through £40.00
• 

  Transfer Test Revision and Practice Paper Bundle

  £45.00 – £102.00Price range: £45.00 through £102.00
• 

  Transfer Test Maths and English Revision Books

  £45.00 – £65.00Price range: £45.00 through £65.00
• 

  Transfer Test Preparation Timetable

  £0.00

The post SEAG Transfer Test 2026 first appeared on On Target Resources.

Click here for information on the new SEAG Transfer Test being sat by P7 children in November 2023

The AQE Transfer Test dates 2022:

Saturday 19th November 2022

Saturday 26th November 2022

Saturday 3rd December 2022

Please visit our AQE Practice Paper page to purchase practice papers.

AQE Registration Date

Registration opens on the 4th May 2022 and closes on Friday 23rd September 2022.

Online payments should be made prior to registering your child for the test. Make the payment on the AQE website payment portal.

THEN register your child for the 2022 AQE test on the AQE registration page.

Do not use the AQE past papers

Your child’s school may have mentioned this.  The reason is, schools usually use AQE past papers from September in Primary 7 onwards.  Teachers like these papers to be unseen so they can get a true reflection of how your child is doing.

On Target AQE Practice Papers are specially written Staged Difficulty AQE tests. There are 3 levels of difficulty.

Level 1 has 27 questions worth 30 marks, to be completed in 25 minutes.

Level 2 has 35 questions worth 40 marks, to be completed in 45 minutes.

Level 3 has 58 questions worth 64 marks to be completed in 1 hour and 10 minutes replicating real past papers. 

We have undertaken an in depth analysis of all the AQE past papers from 2011 to 2021 and have created our practice papers to model the questions your child will tackle in the real tests.  This means your child can get real AQE practise without using the actual past papers!

AQE 2022 Specification

To take account of the considerable disruption caused by Covid-19 to children’s education over the past two years, the AQE have made changes to the assessment in 2022.

• Pupils will be given an extra 10 minutes to complete each paper. Children will have 1 hour and 10 minutes to complete the test.
• The language within the English and Maths questions will be made more accessible.
• The length of the English passages will be shortened where appropriate.
• Certain topic areas will be omitted from the Mathematics Specification.

See our blog on the AQE 2022 Specification for more details.

List of AQE Test Centres

Belfast Royal Academy
Bloomfield Collegiate
Campbell College
Grosvenor Grammar School
Hunterhouse College
Methodist College
RBAI
Strathearn School
Victoria College
Wellington College

Antrim Grammar School
Ballyclare High School
Ballymena Academy
Belfast High School
Cambridge House Grammar School
Carrickfergus Grammar School
Coleraine Grammar School
Dalriada School
Larne Grammar School

Bangor Grammar School
Down High School
Friends’ School Lisburn
Glenlola Collegiate School
Regent House School
Sullivan Upper School
The Wallace High School

Banbridge Academy
Royal School, Armagh
Royal School, Dungannon

Foyle College
Limavady Grammar School
Omagh Academy
Strabane Academy
Enniskillen Royal Grammar School

The post AQE Transfer Test Dates 2022 first appeared on On Target Resources.

If your child is sitting the 2022 AQE or GL tests they will be doing a lot of practice papers by now. Luckily, this year children sitting the AQE tests will get 10 minutes extra time to help combat learning loss from the pandemic. Read our 10 top tips to utilise extra time in the AQE and GL Transfer Tests.

Some children make finish the test quickly and have time left over. It’s important to make sure they know they should not just sit back and relax. For instance, if they practise finding their own mistakes you may even find that they become more aware and start making less silly mistakes in the AQE tests. The techniques below can be used in both the AQE and GL tests if your child finishes before time is up.

How to utilise extra time in the AQE and GL tests

1. First, check you have answered all the questions.

Even if you are unsure how to tackle a question it is better to have an answer than no answer. This is especially true in multiple choice questions where there is a chance you will get it right, even if you guess!

2. Make sure you have not left any pages out.

Believe it or not it is very common for students to leave out entire pages because they have turned over a double page without realising. Start at the beginning of the paper and turn the pages, counting the page numbers as you go to check you have not turned over two pages at once.

3. Put a circle or a big star beside any questions you are not sure about.

This will mean it is easy to find these questions if you have time left over. You can then go back and have another go.

4. Show your working out

This makes it easier to check your answers. If you are using a separate sheet of paper for working out, make sure you number the question so you can easily go back and check your work.

5. Double check any questions that state that you need to be careful with your spelling.

In the AQE the words, “be careful with your spelling” will be written in bold in the question. This means that you will only get the mark if your spelling is correct.

6. Double check any questions that require two answers.

Many students lose marks as they have only ticked one box instead of two. The question will state, “tick two boxes” if this required. Some students may also write a word in the box instead ticking. Make sure you have followed all the instructions correctly.

7. Check your units of measure.

For example, the question might be in centimetres but the answer is asked for in metres. Make sure that the answers you have written are in the correct unit of measure.

8. Go back over any questions that ask for a noun, verb, adjective or adverb

Double check the answer you have given is correct. Always read the word in the sentence as some words can have more than one classification depending on the context of the sentence they are written.

9. Make sure you have written the answer on the line provided.

Sometimes it is easy to do all the working out for a question, get it correct but then forget to write the answer on the answer line. Make sure you do or you will lose the mark.

10. Use every minute of the test time.

You should never be sitting doing nothing. If you have time left over after you have checked everything then use it to look at the hardest questions again. You never know, you might find something you missed!

Find out more about our AQE and GL tuition services on our tuition website.

Buy AQE and GL Staged Difficulty Practice Papers

AQE Practice Papers

GL Practice Papers

AQE and GL Practice Paper Bundles

The post 10 Top Tips to Utilise Extra Time in the AQE and GL Transfer Tests first appeared on On Target Resources.

How Can I Help My Primary 5 Prepare For The Transfer Test? This is a question that we get asked a lot by parents! Is it too soon to start preparing for the tests in Primary 5?

Understandably, you might be worried that starting too soon may put unnecessary pressure on your child. Transfer Test preparation is a long haul and every child has different needs. Your child needs lots of no pressure learning time. I would introduce your child to the types of question they will encounter in the SEAG tests early, and get them used to the style of questioning, the transition to practice papers in their P6 year will be much smoother.

With this in mind On Target Resources has created revision materials aimed at children in the second half of Primary 5 and in the first half of Primary 6. The Road to the Transfer Test is a comprehensive resource designed to allow children to prepare for Transfer Test questions at just the right level for their stage of learning.

How does The Road to the Transfer Test help prepare my Primary 5 for the Transfer Test?

Problem Solving

This book aims to revise the relevant facts and then allow your child to practice problem solving questions that are crucial to Transfer Test success. Each topic has 2 sections:

1. What I need to know – learn the facts.
2. Problem solving questions based on the types of questions children might face in the transfer test at just the right level for their age. 

Topics:

• Addition – one step problems
• Addition  – two step problems
• Subtraction – one step problems
• Subtraction – two step problems
• Addition and Subtraction – 2 step problems
• Multiplication – one step problems
• Multiplication – two step problems
• Division no remainders – one step problems
• Division with remainders – one step problems
• Addition/Subtraction?Division  – two step problems
• Time Duration problems
• Money problems
• Simple fraction of problems
• More complex fraction of problems
• Simple percentage problems
• Decimal problems
• Measure using length problems
• Measure using weight and volume problems
• Area and perimeter problems
• Mixed problems

English Skills 1

Error correction and word meanings. 

These are both essential topics for the AQE and GL Transfer Tests.  The aim of this booklet is to get your child used to these questions, that appear in every AQE and GL test. Teach them the techniques early and the papers will be less daunting!

Included:

• Homophones
• Homophone error correction
• Common spelling errors – plural nouns, double consonants, common misspellings
• Common spelling error correction
• Punctuation including contractions and apostrophe of possession
• Punctuation correction
• Words with similar meanings
• Mixed error correction

English Skills 2

Comprehension and Grammar. 

Comprehension is the number one area that parents say their child struggles with when they begin practice papers of the AQE and GL tests.  However, there are certain types of questions that are asked in the AQE and GL tests. This booklet contains short comprehension passages with focused questions based on the types of questions asked in the Transfer Test.  Children are not asked to write in sentences in the Transfer Test.  Questions are multiple choice answers or require them to write short phrases or words.

Transfer Test comprehension always includes recognising and finding nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs within a passage.  This skill is often new to children when they start practice papers.  Teach them the techniques early and the papers will be less daunting!

Included:

• Nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs identification.
• 12 comprehension passages with 10 Transfer style questions for each passage.

We hope this resource will help your Primary 6 prepare for Transfer Test. To find out more, see videos and browse our Road to the Transfer Test resources visit this page.

The post How Can I Help My Primary 5 Prepare For The Transfer Test first appeared on On Target Resources.

One of the most common questions we hear from parents at our tuition centre is:
“Is there a recommended book list for the SEAG GL Transfer Test?”

The answer is yes – and it’s more important than ever to get your child reading regularly. The English component of the SEAG GL Transfer Test often includes lengthy, challenging comprehension passages, many of which are taken from traditional or classic novels. If your child isn’t used to reading this style of writing, they may struggle with vocabulary, tone, and understanding.

That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive book list for the SEAG GL Transfer Test, specifically designed for Key Stage 2 pupils (P6 and P7). It’s also perfect as a summer reading list to keep children engaged and building essential skills during the holidays.

Book List for the SEAG GL Transfer Test (P6 & P7)

Classic Novels Often Used in SEAG Comprehensions

These older books reflect the style and complexity frequently seen in SEAG test passages. The language is often more formal or descriptive, so exposure is key.

1. Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll
2. The Wind in the Willows – Kenneth Grahame
3. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer – Mark Twain
4. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – C.S. Lewis
5. The Wizard of Oz – L. Frank Baum
6. The Hobbit – J.R.R. Tolkien
7. Treasure Island – Robert Louis Stevenson
8. Anne of Green Gables – L.M. Montgomery
9. The Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett
10. The Invisible Man – H.G. Wells
11. Charlotte’s Web – E.B. White
12. The Diary of Anne Frank
13. The Sheep Pig – Dick King-Smith
14. Famous Five Series – Enid Blyton
15. A Little Princess – Frances Hodgson Burnett
16. Black Beauty – Anna Sewell
17. Heidi – Johanna Spyri
18. Journey to the Centre of the Earth – Jules Verne
19. Kidnapped – Robert Louis Stevenson
20. Five Children and It – E. Nesbit
21. The Railway Children – E. Nesbit
22. The Jungle Book – Rudyard Kipling
23. Little Women – Louisa May Alcott

Modern Classics & Fiction for Reluctant Readers

These are easier to engage with, yet rich in language and ideas – ideal for growing confidence and comprehension.

1. War Horse – Michael Morpurgo
2. The Butterfly Lion – Michael Morpurgo
3. Artemis Fowl – Eoin Colfer
4. Harry Potter Series – J.K. Rowling
5. Wonder – R.J. Palacio
6. Holes – Louis Sachar
7. Boy and Going Solo – Roald Dahl
8. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas – John Boyne
9. A Series of Unfortunate Events – Lemony Snicket
10. Billionaire Boy – David Walliams
11. Double Act – Jacqueline Wilson
12. The Demon Headmaster – Gillian Cross
13. How to Train Your Dragon – Cressida Cowell
14. The Alex Rider Series – Anthony Horowitz
15. Inkheart – Cornelia Funke
16. Percy Jackson Series – Rick Riordan
17. he Explorer – Katherine Rundell
18. The Wild Robot – Peter Brown
19. Skellig – David Almond
20. The Boy at the Back of the Class – Onjali Q. Raúf
21. Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet – Zanib Mian
22. Who Let the Gods Out? – Maz Evans
23. The Unadoptables – Hana Tooke
24. The Girl of Ink and Stars – Kiran Millwood Hargrave
25. The Last Bear – Hannah Gold
26. Orphans of the Tide – Struan Murray
27. Brightstorm – Vashti Hardy
28. Amari and the Night Brothers – B.B. Alston
29. The Clockwork Sparrow – Katherine Woodfine
30. Murder Most Unladylike – Robin Stevens

Non-Fiction & Informational Texts

These develop comprehension of factual passages – a key part of the SEAG test.

1. Horrible Histories – Terry Deary
2. Horrible Science – Nick Arnold
3. Guinness World Records (latest edition)
4. Ripley’s Believe It or Not
5. Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World – Kate Pankhurst
6. Young, Gifted and Black – Jamia Wilson
7. Survivors – David Long
8. Shackleton’s Journey – William Grill
9. What a Waste: Rubbish, Recycling, and Protecting our Planet – Jess French
10. A World Full of Animal Stories – Angela McAllister

Fun, Humorous & Illustrated Fiction (for reluctant readers)

These are especially helpful for less confident readers – fun and accessible while still boosting literacy.

1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Jeff Kinney
2. Tom Gates Series – Liz Pichon
3. The World’s Worst Children – David Walliams
4. The Danger Gang – Tom Fletcher
5. The Treehouse Series – Andy Griffiths
6. The Land of Roar – Jenny McLachlan
7. Dragon Mountain – Katie & Kevin Tsang

Practice Makes Perfect

Reading regularly from this book list for the SEAG GL Transfer Test is a fantastic first step. But it’s also important to practise answering test-style comprehension questions.

Our Transfer Test Comprehension Book includes:

• Fiction, non-fiction, and poetry texts
• True/False and multiple choice
• Vocabulary questions (synonyms, phrases)
• Grammar (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs)

All modelled on the SEAG GL Transfer Test format to help your child feel confident and prepared.

Final Tip: Follow Their Interests

If your child finds an author or series they love, run with it! Enjoyment is key to long-term success. Every book read builds vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension – all essential skills for the Transfer Test and beyond.

If your child needs help with transfer test preparation, On Target Tuition can help. Find out more on our tuition website.

If you are looking for practice papers and revision books that reflect the questions and texts you will find in the real SEAG GL tests then please take a look at our transfer test resources.

The post The Ultimate Book List for the SEAG GL Transfer Test (Perfect for Summer Reading Too!) first appeared on On Target Resources.

AQE January 2021 Test Dates: Saturday 9th January, Saturday 16th January and Saturday 23rd January 2020.

Registration for the AQE tests opens on Wednesday 29th April. You will have until Friday 9th October to register your child for the test. It is advised to get in early if you want to have your first choice of school in which to sit the test.

The results will be issued on Saturday 6th March.

Children will be given an extra 10 minutes for each paper, meaning that each paper lasts for 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Click here for details of the GL Assessment test dates.

AQE and GL Practice Papers and Revision Books

If you are looking for resources to help your child prepare for the AQE and GL Transfer Tests you have come to the right place. Our AQE and GL practice papers and revision books have been written by experienced transfer test teachers and are designed to replicate the real tests. Buy now on our website.

AQE and GL Transfer Test Tutoring

If your child needs support with revision for the Transfer Test and you live in the Lisburn area then please consider On Target Tuition. Find out more about our award winning transfer test tuition on our website.

More info on the Northern Ireland Transfer Test from The School Run

The post AQE 2020 Test Dates first appeared on On Target Resources.

Why do SEAG GL Transfer Test scores dip?

I often find that schools and parents put too much emphasis on practice papers at this stage. Remember, your child has not covered the full curriculum yet. When you put a full test-length practice paper down in front of them, you are setting them up for failure. They simply will not know all of the curriculum in the paper and they haven’t had enough time to hone their exam techniques.

What can you do to help your child?

Use every practice paper as an opportunity to work on plugging the gaps in their knowledge.

Make a list of the questions they are getting wrong and set aside some time to practise these types of questions and go over the facts and information they need to know to master them.

Use SEAG Style practice papers and not the old AQE and GL (PPTC) style papers as these won’t allow your child to practise their exam technique for this style of paper.

On Target Revision Books can help give your child practise in real test questions, without the practice paper pressure.

Choose SEAG GL Transfer Test practice papers that ease your child in gently

It is really important in the early stages of revision that your child feels like they are succeeding. A few low scores in a row can really make them lose confidence in themselves and demotivate them.

That is why we created our Staged Difficulty Practice Papers.

There are 3 levels of paper and a detailed revision planner that allows you to tailor your revision to each level of practice paper. More curriculum is added with each level and Level 3 is the only level that includes the full curriculum.

SEAG Style Levelled Practice Papers

• Level 1 has 30 questions worth 30 marks, to be completed in 30 minutes.
• Level 2 has 40 questions worth 40 marks, to be completed in 45 minutes.
• Level 3 has 56 questions worth 56 marks to be completed in 60 minutes replicating real past papers. 

Our papers and revision books were written after a detailed analysis of the resources provided by SEAG . The plan is to make them as realistic as possible! We worded the questions in the style used on the real papers and only included the curriculum used in the real papers. We have worked to make our papers a realistic replica of what children will experience in the real tests.

This allows you to prepare your child properly. We aim to take the stress out of moving from practice papers to the real test in November.

If you have any questions regarding our papers please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 9267 5071 or email us at lisburntuition@gmail.com

Buy our SEAG Style practice papers here.

The post Why Choose Our SEAG GL Transfer Test Papers? first appeared on On Target Resources.