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
In a class, 9/11 of the pupils are boys. What is the ratio of boys to girls?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, 9 : 2
How to work it out
If 9 of every 11 pupils are boys, the other 2 are girls, so boys : girls = 9 : 2.
Why the other options are wrong
A (9 : 11): 9/11 compares boys with the whole class; the ratio asked for compares boys with girls, who are the other 2 of every 11.
B (2 : 9): This is girls to boys; the question asks for boys to girls, so the boys come first.
C (11 : 9): This puts the whole class against the boys; a ratio of boys to girls compares the two groups.
E (9 : 20): Adding the numerator to the denominator does not give the girls; girls are 11 take away 9.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
What does the word “zephyr” mean?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, a gentle breeze
How to work it out
“Zephyr” (noun) means a gentle breeze.
For example: A zephyr stirred the curtains.
Why the other options are wrong
B (a feeling that something bad will happen): That is what “foreboding” means, an unrelated word. “zephyr” means a gentle breeze.
C (traditions and history passed down): That is what “heritage” means, an unrelated word. “zephyr” means a gentle breeze.
D (a result of an action): That is what “consequence” means, an unrelated word. “zephyr” means a gentle breeze.
What entrance test does Ballyclare High School use?
Ballyclare High 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 Ballyclare High 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 Ballyclare High 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 Ballyclare High 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.