78% in practice (our estimate, not a school figure)
About the SEAG Entrance Assessment (Northern Ireland)
Northern Ireland’s grammar schools use the SEAG assessment, set and marked by GL Assessment: two papers on Saturdays in November of P7, each an untimed practice then 60 minutes of 56 questions, 28 English and 28 maths. Each paper has 44 multiple choice questions (five options) and 12 free response questions, all answered on a separate sheet. Prism’s papers write the free response answers in maths and keep the English as multiple choice.
Stage
Paper
How it is answered
Prism practice paper
SEAG
Paper 1
Multiple choice and written answers
56 questions, 60 minutes
SEAG
Paper 2
Multiple choice and written answers
56 questions, 60 minutes
Test setters rarely publish how many questions a paper has, so the question counts are the length of Prism’s practice papers; timings follow the setter’s published guidance where there is any. Arrangements change from year to year: always check them with the school or local authority.
How to prepare
The SEAG Entrance Assessment (Northern Ireland) covers maths and English. Most families start steady preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5, building accuracy first and speed later, then sit timed papers through the summer before the test, which usually takes place in November.
For maths, secure the Key Stage 2 arithmetic, fractions, ratio and problem solving before moving to the multi-step questions that separate the strongest candidates.
For English, read widely every day and practise comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar; selective tests reward precise word knowledge.
Some answers are written, not chosen, so practise without options to fall back on: write the number or the words yourself, show the working where the paper asks for it, and check each answer against the question.
Practice questions in the style of the test
Written by Prism in the style of the test, not taken from any school’s papers.
Question 1Aim for about 60 seconds
Use 25 × 6 = 150 to work out 250 × 6.
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, 1,500
How to work it out
250 is 10 times 25, so the answer is 10 times 150: 1,500.
Why the other options are wrong
A (160): This adds 10 to 150; multiplying 25 by 10 makes the answer ten times bigger.
C (15,000): This is a hundred times the fact; the number was multiplied by 10, not 100.
D (150): This is the answer to the given fact; the new number is ten times bigger.
E (1,506): This is ten times the fact plus 6 more.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
Which word completes the sentence with the correct spelling?
Is it _____ to bring a packed lunch on the trip?
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, necessary
How to work it out
Is it necessary to bring a packed lunch on the trip?
One collar, two sleeves: one c, two s.
Why the other options are wrong
A (neccessary): An extra “c” is doubled: “necessary” has only one “c” here.
C (necesary): A double letter is missed: “necessary” has “ss”, but this writes only one “s”.
D (nessesary): This writes “esses” where “necessary” has “ecess”.
What entrance test does Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School use?
Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School uses the SEAG Entrance Assessment (Northern Ireland), which tests maths and English. It is answered with multiple choice and written answers. Check the school’s admissions page for the current arrangements.
What score does my child need for Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School?
Schools do not publish pass marks. As a guide, Prism suggests a child aims to score around 78% consistently in practice for a selective school. This is Prism’s own estimate, not a figure from the school, and no score guarantees a place.
When should my child start preparing for Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School?
Most families start in Year 4 or early Year 5, then practise timed papers during the summer before the test, which usually takes place in November.
Preparing for Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School?
Practise straight away at your child’s school year in maths and English, with verbal and non-verbal reasoning for the 11 Plus, and every answer explained. A free check, whenever you like, shows what to practise next and builds a weekly plan, for their year or for your target schools. Parents follow progress free.