Purpose of Transfer Tests
In Northern Ireland, most pupils transfer from Primary to Post-primary school at age 11 years. Parents indicate which Post-primary school they wish their child to attend. Each school is required to admit all pupils whose parents have expressed a preference for their child to attend the school, provided the school has sufficient places.
All Post-primary schools are required to publish their admissions criteria in order of priority. They will use the criteria in the appropriate order to select pupils if they are over-subscribed.
If pupils wish to be considered for a place at a grammar (selective) school, they must sit two Transfer Tests covering English, mathematics, and science and technology. Pupils do not need to take the tests if they want to attend a non-selective school.
All Post-primary schools are required to admit pupils up to their approved admissions number. Only grammar (selective) schools may use the results of the Transfer Tests to select pupils if they are over-subscribed.
Almost all grammar (selective) schools use the results of the Transfer Tests to decide whom to admit. Other criteria applied are at the discretion of the school. Grammar (selective) schools must give preference to pupils with the highest grades before those with other grades. However, no pupil is guaranteed a place in a grammar (selective) school irrespective of the grade obtained in the Transfer Tests.
