AQE or Common Entrance Assessment (CEA) Transfer Test
AQE TRANSFER TEST INFORMATION
AQE - Transfer Test Information Including
Key Dates
The Association of Quality Education (AQE Ltd) is the company formed to manage and administer the AQE transfer test. The test is also known as the Common Entrance Assessment (CEA).
This page contains links to important documents including how to register for the AQE (CEA)Transfer Test, a list of participating AQE Grammar Schools, how the AQE assessment is marked / scored and the arrangements for Special Circumstances / Provisions.
Key Dates for the AQE Transfer Test 2022-2023 cycle
The AQE assessments will take place on:
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Saturday 19th November 2022 (CEA 1st paper)
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Saturday 26th November 2022 (CEA 2nd paper)
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Saturday 3rd December 2022 (CEA 3rd paper)
Registration will open on Wednesday 5th May 2022 at 10.00 am.
Registration will close on Friday 23rd September 2022 at 4.00 pm.
The results of the 2022 assessments will be issued to parents on Saturday 4th February 2023.
Key information regarding the AQE 2022/2023 cycle is now available on the AQE website.
You can purchase AQE practice tests and English or maths preparation papers from our shop.
Detailed information about all aspects of the AQE transfer test is available at https://aqe.org.uk/
How to register for the AQE-Common Entrance Assessment
Registration forms for the Autumn 2022 tests.
The AQE (CEA) Transfer Test registration form for 2022-2023 will be available at
Registration will open on Wednesday 5th May 2022 at 10.00 am and close on Friday 23rd September 2022 at 4pm.
The AQE website will give you all information about the process and final closing dates. The fee will be £60.00. Late Registration Forms will be considered only when there are clear extenuating circumstances and, in such cases, a late entry fee of may be incurred in place of the original fee.
Children entitled to Free Schools Meals do not have to pay the fee if the child is entitled to free school meals at the time of completing the AQE registration form.
AQE Schools
Schools
There are 34 schools offering the AQE test and using it to facilitate the selection of pupils into Year 8 (1st form) The links on this page will take you to an overview of each school and will also give you that school's latest AQE intake scores. There are links to the website of the relevant school where you will find more information about the test procedures and any additional detail or advice provided by each school.
Access Arrangements
If your child has sustained an injury or has an ongoing chronic medical condition and cannot complete the test without some form of help you can apply for Emergency Access Arrangements so that adjustments to allow your child to take the test can be made. These adjustments may not be granted or could be withdrawn if your child recovers sufficiently before the test.
If you think your child may be eligible you should consult the AQE website
The AQE Assessment Procedure
Preparation before the actual tests
Following the registration process, all candidates are contacted by their Assessment Centre, and invited to attend a familiarisation day in that school. These days are organised by the Assessment Centres and the format can vary from centre to centre. The familiarisation days will give your child an opportunity to visit the room or hall where they will be sitting the assessments and to meet their invigilators. It is not compulsory for your child to attend but it is recommended as it has been proven to help the children relax in preparation for their actual AQE Transfer Test.
On the day of the tests
The AQE assessments begin at 10 a.m. and last for 1 hour (with the exception of extra time candidates). There are 3 tests and AQE recommends that all children attend all of the assessments. However, it is only compulsory to attend 2 assessments.
There is no subsidiary paper available. If for any reason your child can attend only 1 assessment you will need to contact the AQE Office.
AQE Marking and Results
Marks and results
The tests are rigorously marked by AQE staff. Results are received by parents on the provisional date of
Saturday 4th February 2023
and the results are posted to the home address used during the registration process. If your address has changed you must inform the AQE Office of your new address.
Special Circumstances and Provisions
Special circumstances
The receiving post-primary schools process any applications for Special Circumstances/Provisions. This is not carried out by AQE however this link explains the process of applying for special circumstances.
AQE Transfer Tests: Grammar Schools’ intake and grade details
What was the highest AQE score used from 2015 until 2018 and what was the lowest AQE score that schools accepted for entry into year 8 from 2015 until 2018?
For AQE entry requirements into schools in September 2019 we have created easily read details for each school.
Below is a link to the Belfast Telegraph that gives a comprehensive table of results for the Transfer Test taken in the Autumn term of 2018.
There are also links to 2015, 2016 and 2017 results
It shows the grades needed to get into the grammar schools requiring the AQE or GL Transfer Test result. (Some schools accept both the AQE and the GL Assessment in Northern Ireland.)
The table contains the name of the school, what town the school it is in, the highest grade/score/quintile/band it accepted and the lowest grade/score/quintile/band it accepted for entry in September 2018.
It also includes how many first preference choices it received, total applications and how many spaces the school has in year 8 - the Approved Enrolment.
This table gives an indication of what score might be needed in future years to obtain a place in your chosen Grammar School but it is only guidance.
AQE and GL Transfer Test Details for September 2018
Required score for the 2019 AQE intake - school by school
Required score for the 2018 AQE and GL intake on the Belfast Telegraph Website
Required score for the 2017 AQE and GL intake on the Belfast Telegraph Website
Required score for the 2016 AQE and GL intake on the Belfast Telegraph Website
Required score for the 2015 AQE and GL intake on the Belfast Telegraph Website
** This information is provided for guidance only and while the content is, to the best of our knowledge, accurate we cannot be held in any way responsible for any errors or omissions that it may contain. Please contact your examining board or chosen grammar school for all admission and registration details for the Transfer Test. **
Grammar schools using the AQE Transfer Test
There are a small number of schools that accept both Transfer Test results. Ensure that you check details with your chosen school.
SOUTHERN AREA GRAMMAR SCHOOLS
WESTERN AREA GRAMMAR SCHOOLS
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS THAT ACCEPT BOTH TESTS
These schools include:-
Antrim Grammar School
Campbell College
Hunterhouse College
Victoria College
Wellington College
** This information is provided for guidance only and while the content is, to the best of our knowledge, accurate we cannot be held in any way responsible for any errors or omissions that it may contain. Please contact your examining board or chosen grammar school for all admission and registration details for the Transfer Test. **