So, the Transfer Test is the common term for exams that used to be known as the 11+. There are two different tests that a P7 child can do, the AQE or GL or both. Which test your child should do is dependent upon which school they wish to attend. Grammar schools will have a preferred test that they employ to determine admission, some schools choose to accept both tests. If your child’s top two choices of school use different tests your child can sit both the AQE & GL. Once you and your child have decided which test or tests they will sit, you will need to register them with the governing bodies. Registration opens usually around May time and closes early September. The actual exams are usually sat in November time for both AQE and GL. Each school sets on their own score for admission, these are released yearly from the Belfast Telegraph and can be found online.

From they take their first steps into Primary school the preparation begins for the transfer test. Learning is like building a big wall; first comes the foundations and then as your child progresses through their school years a new layer is added to the wall. Sometimes your child’s wall may take longer to build than their peer’s wall, sometimes they will add several layers to their wall in one sudden burst but what is important to remember is that these walls need support and encouragement to continue to grow and that’s where we at Transfer Test are happy to help with our practice papers.

From being in partnership with many primary schools we understand that their structured transfer test preparations are typically throughout the P6 year and early P7 year until the exams have been completed.

We at Transfer Tests are very proud to be able to offer a comprehensive selection of practice papers, ranging from our complete bundle of printed papers and a computer programme version of the tests for both the AQE and GL tests right through to our budget packs which have 4 printed tests papers with answer guides. Both the GL and AQE test will be a selection of English & Maths questions, our tests can be purchased as English & Maths combined but we also offer tests in either just English or Maths. These are particularly useful for children who may be doing better in one subject that the other, so an entire test of just English or Maths

can help to strengthen their weaker subject. Our tests are priced to suit everybody with a starting price of just £7.99. Our papers are also unique, in that we offer an entirely different set of papers to our schools. This means that when parents are purchasing our papers they can be assured that their child’s school won be covering the same content. We have found that this encourages a much stronger home-school life balance, where one compliments the other.

If your child is completing both the AQE and GL examinations we suggest our Complete Bundle. This is an all round, expansive package that gives you 24 printed practice tests for the GL and 24 in the AQE format. You also get our computer programme that has 55 practice papers for your child to work their way though.

There are several options to buy our products. You can purchase any of our products directly from our website which is www.transfertests.co.uk, we offer secure checkout and free delivery on all orders. Our tests are also available to purchase in all Eason stores across Northern Ireland and we’ve recently taken on a partnership with We Are Vertigo in Newtownbeda, who stock our tests in their reception area. We also sell a selection of our products on Amazon, simply search for Transfer Tests and all of our products have a navy blue cover page.

We had a parent purchase our full bundle of tests, she got in touch with us shortly after to say her child who has dyslexia was struggling to focus on the tests because of the white paper they are printed on. We had a chat with our very clever printing team and were able to source ‘Dyslexia friendly’ paper that we could use. This means we can print the same great quality questions onto a pigmented paper that children with dyslexia or reading problems may find easier to concentrate on. As we have our own dedicated printing team we are able to offer any of tests printed onto our Dyslexia friendly paper.

- Plan a revision schedule.

Sit with your child and devise a revision schedule that you both agree is fair and constructive. We suggest beginning with little and often sessions to allow your child some time to adjust to the transfer test process.

Schedule relaxation and fun times too! The transfer test process can be stressful for both child and parent so make sure you’re allowing enough ‘down’ time to balance all the hard work.

- Invest in our selection of practice papers.

Our papers mirror the real tests used, they are printed in colour on the highest quality paper, with easy to use marking guides for parents and come in a selection of bundles for both the AQE and GL exam. We also offer a programme for your computer that allows your child to complete the questions on their computer and have them automatically marked.

- Stay in communication with your child’s teacher.

This is essential as it allows you to get a clear overview of how your child is progressing not only at home but within the classroom. If your child is struggling with any particular subject or area ask your child’s teacher for some hints and tips on how to help them. -- Positivity and praise.

In this gruelling cycle of intense learning and testing your child will need you to help them focus on all the great work they are doing.

Always remember the example we are setting in our children’s eyes, if we are calm and relaxed they will likely mirror this however if we are frustrated or tense your child may mirror these feelings, further exasperating the stress they may already be feeling.

Build it up.

Start your preparations with whatever time your child is comfortable with and then work up in 5 minute increments. So, if your child can only sit for 20 minutes before becoming distracted or irritable, schedule your sessions for only 20 minutes to begin with. This will allow your child to complete a revision session successfully and end it on a positive note, as opposed to forcing an hour-long session and after 20 minutes they lose focus and for the next 40 minutes you lose your mind trying to get them back on board! Once your child can successfully stay focused for the full 20-minute period add on 5 minutes to your next

sessions. This way it’s a gradual increase and allows you to build your child’s attention span up in a supportive and positive manner.

Praise your child as they improve.

Make sure to let your child know how great they are doing, always look for something positive to praise on and give lots of verbal and non-verbal encouragements, such as high 5’s.

Keep the fun! Learning isn't all about reading textbooks, get involved in practical and hands on learning such as making your own water cycle demonstration, let your child help with the weekly shop encouraging them keep track of the spending or something as simple as describing fractions when slicing up a pizza for dinner!