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
Without a calculator, which is a correct way to find 35% of 200?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, 25% of 200 plus 10% of 200
How to work it out
35% = 25% plus 10%, so 25% of 200 plus 10% of 200: find a quarter and a tenth, and add them.
That gives 70.
Why the other options are wrong
A (100% of 200 take away 10% of 200): That combination does not make 35%; check that the parts add or subtract to 35.
B (35 × 200): Multiplying by 35 gives 35 times the amount, not 35 hundredths of it.
D (200 ÷ 35): Dividing by 35 does not give 35%; 35% means 35 out of every 100.
E (200 − 35): Taking 35 away from 200 ignores that a percentage is a share, not a number to subtract.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, We bought apples, pears, plums and grapes.
How to work it out
The correct sentence is: We bought apples, pears, plums and grapes.
Commas separate items in a list, or a fronted phrase from the rest of the sentence.
Why the other options are wrong
B (We bought apples; pears; plums and; grapes.): Semicolons are used where commas belong in a simple list, and one even splits “and” from “grapes”.
C (We bought apples pears, plums, and, grapes.): A comma is missing between “apples” and “pears”, and extra commas sit round “and”.
D (We bought, apples pears plums and grapes.): The comma sits after “bought”, splitting the verb from its list, while the items have no commas between them.
What entrance test does St Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt use?
St Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt 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 St Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt?
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 St Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt?
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 St Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt?
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.
Prism Learning is not affiliated with St Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt. Details are indicative; always check admissions arrangements with the school.