SEAGReady
2026/2027 Test Cycle

SEAG Transfer TestKey Dates 2026/27

Projected dates for the November 2026 SEAG test. Official dates will be confirmed on seagni.co.uk.

May 2026 (TBC)

Registration Opens

Online registration typically opens in mid-May on the SEAG website. Check seagni.co.uk for confirmed dates.

September 2026 (TBC)

Registration Closes

Registration typically closes in mid-September. A late registration window may open briefly with a higher fee, but do not rely on this.

November 2026 (TBC)

Paper 1

First test paper at your designated test centre. Includes 28 English questions and 28 Maths questions.

November 2026 (TBC)

Paper 2

Second test paper, typically one week after Paper 1. Same format with English and Maths sections.

January 2027 (TBC)

Results Released

SEAG results are sent to parents. You will receive your child's standardised scores and cohort band.

January/February 2027

School Applications

Use your child's results to apply to grammar schools via the EA portal. Check each school's admissions criteria carefully.

Important information

Registration fee

A non-refundable £20 fee is required when registering. Payment is made online via the SEAG website. Families receiving Free School Meals Entitlement (FSME) are exempt from the fee but must upload valid evidence from the Education Authority.

Who is eligible?

Children born between 2 July 2015 and 1 July 2016 who will be transferring from primary to Year 8 post-primary education in September 2027 are eligible for the November 2026 test.

Late applications

A brief late registration window may open with a higher £50 fee (this happened in previous years). However, do not rely on this. Register before the deadline to guarantee your child's place.

Test centre allocation

Your child will be allocated to a test centre, which may not be the school they wish to attend. Details of the test centre and reporting time will be sent before the test date.

Access arrangements

If your child has a diagnosed learning difficulty or disability, access arrangements may be available. These must be applied for during registration. Evidence such as an educational psychology report may be required.

What to focus on (and what to avoid)

Most advice tells you when things happen but not what to actually do. Here is a more useful breakdown.

Now - May 2026Foundation Phase

Do this

  • Build reading habits (15 min daily)
  • Solidify times tables to automatic recall
  • Address any known gaps from school

Avoid this

  • Buying stacks of practice papers yet
  • Intensive tutoring or Saturday schools
  • Talking about the test constantly
May - Sep 2026Structured Prep

Do this

  • Start daily structured practice (15-20 min)
  • Focus on weak areas with targeted feedback
  • Maintain consistency through summer

Avoid this

  • Marathon weekend cramming sessions
  • Comparing your child to others
  • Skipping practice during holidays
Sep - Nov 2026Test Readiness

Do this

  • Practice under timed conditions occasionally
  • Review error patterns, not just answers
  • Keep the atmosphere calm and matter-of-fact

Avoid this

  • Last-minute intensive cramming
  • Expressing your own anxiety
  • Testing them constantly "to check"

Learn more about effective prep

Our research-backed approach challenges conventional wisdom. Find out what actually works.

Prep myths debunkedParent's guide

Get ready for November 2026

Join SEAGReady for structured daily practice that adapts to your child's needs.