Northern Ireland uses two parallel transfer tests (AQE and PPTC) sat in November of Year 7, with results in late January.
Year 6 spring (P6)
Determine which test (or both) your target schools accept. AQE-only, PPTC-only and both-test schools all exist; the wrong test preparation costs time.
Begin format-specific preparation. AQE and PPTC have different question styles — preparing for the wrong one is worse than no preparation.
Year 6 summer (P6)
Light topic work and reading. Confirm test registration arrangements with each test provider directly (not through the school in NI).
Family holiday in summer P6 is the right time for it. The substantive run-up work happens in autumn of P7.
Year 7 autumn (P7)
Substantive practice phase. AQE candidates should sit full timed papers in the AQE format; PPTC candidates in GL/PPTC format.
AQE's three-Saturday format requires specific stamina training. Sit three consecutive Saturday mocks in September to acclimatise to the rhythm.
November — test sittings
AQE sittings on three consecutive Saturdays in November. PPTC test on a single Saturday in November. Confirm dates with each provider; venues are typically the target school or a designated centre.
Between AQE Saturdays, light review only. Sustained intensive practice across three weekends is exhausting; the body and mind need recovery.
Late January — results
NI transfer results released in late January through a centralised SEAG portal. Both AQE and PPTC results appear together for cross-route candidates.
Results inform the post-primary preference list submitted via the Education Authority portal. The deadline runs through to early February.
May — allocations
NI post-primary allocations are released in late May. Wait-list movement continues through summer; final school placements settle by August.
For families with cross-jurisdiction options (Republic of Ireland or mainland UK schools), parallel applications must be made independently.