The AQE Transfer Test & How To Prepare For It
A tutor’s insight into the AQE Transfer Test
This year, the AQE Transfer Test was cancelled in Northern Ireland, this left thousands of students absolutely devasted as their strong academic preparations were left to waste. As current P7 cohorts are nervously awaiting information about their selected schools, eyes have started to turn towards next year’s AQE.
Whilst we are still waiting to hear the official November dates of the next AQE assessments, a plethora of students have started to get their teeth into preparing for them. But as a student or a parent, where do you start?
Your child has already missed a huge chunk of education over the last two years and although schools have been trying their very best to catch-up, the competition for places in N.I Grammar schools will still remain the same. Tuition is a great option for familiarisation away from the classroom, as students may not receive that one-to-one/one-to small group support in school.
What does the AQE Marking process look like?
This year, students were invited to testing centres, but it is looking increasingly likely that the AQE will return to classrooms in November. Schools and the AQE team have strong regulations in place to ensure that everything is monitored and assessed fairly, due to the high-stakes enrolment involved.
Following the test, the assessments are marked in two test centres in Northern Ireland, there are approximately sixty markers who operate in these, overseen by a rigorous management structure. Each and every paper is reviewed and marked at least three times. With over 40% of them being re-marked once more, as a final test of quality control.
One positive aspect of the AQE Transfer Test is that out of the three tests, they take an average of the top two scores in order to conclude a final AQE score for each student.
Each year, a standardised scoring system is used, this is to essentially support students in line with the National Average, which, over the last 18 months, may have been impacted significantly.
What is the best way to prepare my child for the AQE assessments?
The best way for students to prepare is to firstly, be 100% committed. Embarking on tuition or even the campaign to obtain an excellent score in the AQE involves a strong-level of commitment, challenging their learning beyond the classroom and also familiarising themselves with exam-techniques and practice papers.
This doesn’t mean that AQE revision and tuition can’t be fun, when students access things they weren’t too sure of, it’s gives them an amazing sense of achievement. And no… they might not understand new concepts straight away, but over time, with practise, these all formulate together, giving students a strong ammunition by the time it comes to assessment day. Our specialist AQE tutors are all Primary-trained, with a great amount of knowledge in student engagement, the psychology behind teaching and learning and work with students, just like their tutees, each and every day.
“As a parent, these are quite stressful times, I don’t want the AQE to increase the pressure…”
It is incredibly easy, particular during the current climate, to feel stressed at the thought of your beloved child going to take a test in November, which essentially, will decide where they are going to spend the next third of their academic lives, but as the parent, you need to stay composed and collected. If children see their parents showing any signs of stress or anxiety, they are more likely to replicate these behaviours.
This being said, this is why tuition is an excellent option. It allows you, as the parent, to separate from the AQE and enjoy the most of your son or daughter’s last couple of years in Primary Education – without the added angst of homework and revision. There’s no reason why your child can’t still enjoy themselves, socialise, take part in sports and spend family time whilst still preparing themselves for the AQE. Alongside the revision in school, a couple of tasks per day and support from tuition (if required) will easily be enough to get them over the line.
What will the tests involve?
There are three, one-hour tests which will assess students’ abilities in English and Maths from the N.I curriculum. Unlike some entrance exams, the knowledge required does not exceed that of the curriculum. If anything, the accuracy of vocabulary and breadth of knowledge required is the barrier which some students face each year.
As mentioned earlier, students’ results are formulated on an average of their best two scores, thus enforcing that they only technically have to sit two assessments. This being said, there are 50 questions per paper and 64 marks (32 English, 32 Maths) and, with the questions being varied, students should endeavour to complete all three papers.
Do you have more questions about the AQE Transfer Test? We’ll be happy to answer them!
Email us at hello@capitaltuitiongroup.com .
Qualified Teachers. Quality Grades. KS1 to A-Level.
