St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School Belfast Information

🏫 St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School, Belfast – SEAG Practice Papers with Video Explanations

SEAG Practice Test Pack 1

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• 4 High Quality Practice Tests.
• 4 x English & Maths Papers
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• 9 Hours of Video Content.
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SEAG Practice Test Pack 3

£35.00

• 4 High Quality Practice Tests.
• 4 x English & Maths Papers
• Video Solutions for all Questions!
• 9.5 Hours of Video Content.
• 224 Video Explanations.

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SEAG Practice Tests – Multi-Pack Bundle

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• 12 High Quality Practice Tests.
• 12 x English & Maths Papers
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• 30.5 Hours of Video Content.
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Voluntary Catholic Grammar School | Boys | Belfast, Northern Ireland | Ages 11–18

📚 History of St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School (CBGS), Belfast

St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School (often shortened to St Mary’s CBGS) was established in 1866 by the Congregation of Christian Brothers, an order founded by Edmund Rice dedicated to the education of boys, particularly in disadvantaged communities.

Located on Glen Road in West Belfast, the school has played a major role in the education of generations of Catholic boys in the city. It blends Catholic values, high academic expectations, and social justice—a mission that remains central to its ethos today.

The school has grown significantly and now stands as one of Northern Ireland’s largest all-boys grammar schools, with a reputation for academic success, cultural excellence, and community leadership.

👨‍🎓 Pupil Numbers & Structure

• Total Pupils: ~1,200

• Year 8 Intake: ~140 boys

• Sixth Form: ~300+ students

• Gender: Boys only

• Age Range: 11–18

• School Type: Catholic Voluntary Grammar School

• Religious Ethos: Catholic (Christian Brothers tradition)

🎓 Academic Reputation

St Mary’s CBGS is widely regarded as one of Northern Ireland’s top all-boys grammar schools, combining academic strength with character education, rooted in Catholic values.

✅ Academic Strengths:

• High performance in STEM, English, Business, Languages, and Arts

• Extensive careers and university prep, including Oxbridge, Medicine, Law, and Engineering

• Diverse intake with a strong focus on inclusion, equality, and opportunity

📊 Academic Performance:

• GCSEs:

  • ~98–100% of students achieve 7+ GCSEs A–C*

  • ~75–80% at A–A*

• A-Levels:

  • ~85% of grades at A–C*

  • Many students progress to Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University, and top UK universities

🏆 Awards & Recognition

• Outstanding pastoral care and faith development recognised in inspections

• Achievements in:

  • Irish Language Education (Gaelcholáiste stream available)

  • Ulster Schools GAA Championships (Hogan & MacRory Cup)

  • Music and Performing Arts festivals

  • Young Enterprise Northern Ireland

  • BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition

🏫 St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School – Contact Information

School Name: St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School
Commonly Known As: St Mary’s CBGS Belfast
Type: Catholic Voluntary Grammar School for Boys (Ages 11–18)
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland

📍 Address:

St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School
147a Glen Road
Belfast
BT11 8NR
Northern Ireland
United Kingdom

☎️ Telephone:

+44 (0)28 9029 1555

📧 Email:

info@stmaryscbgs.com

🌐 Website:

https://www.stmaryscbgs.com

📱 Social Media:

• Twitter/X: @StMarysCBGS

• Facebook: St Mary’s CBGS Belfast

• Instagram: @stmaryscbgs

You can view the school’s location on the map below:

SEAG Score Needed to get into St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School

Below is historical scores for St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School from 2022 to 2014.

2022 Lowest Grade – PPTC/GL – less than 213
2021 N/A
2020 Lowest Grade – PPTC/GL – less than 213
2019 Lowest Grade – PPTC/GL – less than 213
2018 Lowest Grade – PPTC/GL – 213
2017 Lowest Grade – PPTC/GL – less than 213
2016 Lowest Grade – PPTC/GL – less than 213
2015 Lowest Grade – PPTC/GL – 202
2014 Lowest Grade – PPTC/GL – 224
As you can see from the above stats and 213 in PPTC/GL in all years will have got you into St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School. The highest score needed was 213 in 2018.
A 213 score in old PPTC/GL test is equivalent to 174 in new SEAG test so based on past intake a minimum score of 174+ in SEAG test would give your child a very high chance of getting accepted into St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School.

SEAG Comparison with historical AQE and PPTC outcomes:

*This is the minimum cohort percentile needed for that Band

Two examples:
A SEAG TSAS of 215 would be “equivalent” to a PPTC SAS of about 242 or an AQE SAS of about 109. A SEAG TSAS of 185 would be “equivalent” to a PPTC SAS of about 220 or an AQE SAS of about 94.

📘 How to Use ExamTutor SEAG Transfer Test Practice Papers (with Video Explanations) to Achieve High Scores for St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School

Preparing for the SEAG Transfer Test effectively is crucial to securing a place at highly competitive grammar schools like St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School. Using ExamTutor’s SEAG Transfer Test Practice Papers with video explanations is one of the smartest ways to build exam confidence, improve accuracy, and boost scores.

Below is a step-by-step strategy to help you make the most of your resources and target success.

🎯 Why ExamTutor Practice Papers Work

ExamTutor provides:

• Authentic SEAG-style questions in Maths and English

• Step-by-step video solutions that explain how and why each answer works

✅ Step-by-Step Strategy for Using ExamTutor SEAG Practice Papers

Step 1: Set a Study Schedule

• Begin preparation at least 6–9 months before the SEAG test (ideally by January or February of Primary 6)

• Aim for 2–3 practice sessions per week, gradually increasing frequency closer to the test (in November)

Step 2: Start with One Full Practice Paper

• Attempt a paper without a time limit

• Use the ExamTutor printable PDF

• Do not use help or calculators

📌 Tip: Start with a “practice” paper to assess your current level in:

• English (comprehension, grammar, punctuation)

• Maths (mental arithmetic, problem-solving, word problems)

Step 3: Review Your Answers Using Video Explanations

• After each paper, watch the video solutions provided by ExamTutor for every question you got wrong — and those you got right by guessing

• Pay attention to:

  • Why an answer is correct

  • How to avoid common traps

  • Time-saving strategies

• Take notes in a dedicated SEAG notebook

• How to Use Video Explanations Effectively:

  ✅ Review incorrect answers with video solutions – Identify and correct mistakes early.
  ✅ Take notes on key strategies – Record important problem-solving techniques for future reference.
  ✅ Rewatch explanations for difficult topics – Reinforce learning by revisiting challenging areas.

  ✔ Video explanations ensure pupils fully understand concepts rather than just memorising answers.

Step 4: Focus on Weak Areas

• Track the types of questions you consistently get wrong:

  • In English: Inference, vocabulary, punctuation, grammar

  • In Maths: Fractions, word problems, percentages, multi-step logic

• Use targeted ExamTutor video lessons or supplementary topic-specific questions

📌 Tip: Keping a detailed track of questions you got incorrect can be reviewed at a later date to reinforce the topic.

Step 5: Develop Strong Time Management & Exam Techniques

Success in the SEAG entrance exam isn’t just about knowledge—it’s also about:
✔ Time management – Completing questions quickly and accurately under exam conditions.
✔ Skipping tricky questions – Avoid wasting time on difficult questions and returning to them later.
✔ Eliminating wrong answers – Using logical reasoning to improve accuracy.

📌 Tip: Regular timed practice with ExamTutor tests ensures students develop these key exam skills.

Step 6: Use Spaced Repetition

• Rotate papers every few weeks — don’t repeat the same one too soon

• Revisit older papers to ensure retention

• Use the “mark and reflect” method:

  • Mark answers

  • Watch relevant videos

  • Reflect on what you’ve learned and write a short summary

Step 7: Mock Exam Month (October)

• In the month before the SEAG test:

  • Do 2 full practice papers per week

  • Use ExamTutor’s practice test papers under realistic timed conditions

  • Review your mistakes using the videos within 24 hours

✅ How This Helps with St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School Admission

• St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School ranks applicants by SEAG score, giving priority to high scorers

• By using ExamTutor:

  • You build familiarity with SEAG-style questions

  • You strengthen core exam techniques

  • You develop accuracy under time pressure

  • You avoid repeat mistakes

📦 Suggested ExamTutor SEAG Resources

• 📘 SEAG Practice Papers Pack 1,2 & 3 with Video Explanations

👉 Available at: www.examtutor.co.uk through subscription packages

💡 Bonus Tips for Parents

• Avoid low quality repetitive practice tests, will only create a negative attitude

• Build a calm and positive home environment for study

• Focus on progress, not perfection

• Celebrate small wins to keep motivation high

• Use breaks and rewards to avoid burnout

📍 Final Thoughts

Why Choose ExamTutor 11+ Practice Papers for St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School Preparation?

✔ SEAG style practice papers covering all tested subjects.
✔ Video explanations for step-by-step learning.
✔ Used successfully by thousands of pupils every year.

Achieving a high SEAG score for St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School is very possible with the right strategy and tools. With ExamTutor’s exam-style papers and video explanations, you get both practice and expert guidance — exactly what’s needed to turn mistakes into mastery.

✏️ Year 8 Admissions Criteria & How to Apply

✅ Entry via SEAG Transfer Test

St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School is a member of the SEAG (Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group) and admits boys into Year 8 based on SEAG Transfer Test performance.

🧪 SEAG Transfer Test Format

• Two exam papers (English & Maths) taken in November of P7

• Includes comprehension, grammar, punctuation and numerical reasoning, problem-solving

• Administered and scored by GL Assessment

• Scores are standardised and ranked for school admissions

📌 Registration via: www.seagni.co.uk

📋 Admissions Criteria (Subject to Annual Review)

In cases of oversubscription, priority is usually given as follows:

1. Boys with a valid SEAG result who meet the minimum score

2. Baptised Roman Catholic boys

3. Siblings of current or past pupils

4. Boys attending Catholic primary feeder schools

5. Boys from families affiliated with the Christian Brothers

6. Children of staff

7. Proximity to school (measured by distance or parish boundaries)

👉 The school also considers Special Circumstances (e.g. illness, SEN, exceptional personal circumstances)

📅 Admissions Timeline

💷 Fees

• St Mary’s CBGS is a state-funded Catholic grammar school – no tuition fees

• Costs may apply for:

  • School uniform

  • Trips and residentials

  • Instrumental lessons (optional)

  • Educational enrichment programmes

SEAG Exam Information for ‘St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School’.

The SEAG Group’ consists of 63 Grammar Schools in Northern Ireland that use academic selection for all or part of their Year 8 intake. The SEAG 2024 Entrance Assessment is for pupils who will be transferring to post primary schools and whose parents may be considering a place at a SEAG school for their child. St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School is a SEAG School. St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School will use the results from the SEAG Test to determine who gets offered a place at the school.

SEAG Registration and Exam Details
Parents can register their child at the SEAG website at the following address. SEAG (seagni.co.uk).The SEAG Entrance Assessment consists of two papers. Both papers assess English and Mathematics and both have an identical format consisting of three Sections:

1st Section – The Practice Test Section
This section contains 5 English followed by 5 Maths questions. These questions are designed to help pupils settle before the Main Test begins. The Practice Test is not assessed or timed.
2nd Section – English Main Test.
The English section of the paper consists of 28 questions (Q1-Q28) and is broken down into 4 sections:
1) “Punctuation Exercise” containing 5 multiple choice questions.
2) “Grammar Exercise” 5 multiple choice questions.
3) “Spelling Exercise” with 5 multiple choice questions.
4) Comprehension”. Contains a passage and are then asked 13 questions on the passage; 7 of these are multiple choice (Q16-Q22). The final 6 questions (Q23-Q28) are described as “free response”; the pupil writes the answer to each in the space provided in the Answer Sheet.
3rd Section – Maths Main Test.
The Maths section also has 28 questions (Q29-Q56) and is broken down into 2 sections:
1) The first 22 Maths questions (Q29-Q50) are multiple choice questions.
2) The final 6 Maths questions (Q51-Q56) are described as “free response”. For each of these questions the pupil works out the correct answer and writes the answer in the space provided in the Answer Sheet.
Pupils will have 60 minutes to answer the 56 Main Test questions.
They can choose to start with the English questions or with the Maths questions.
Each of the multiple choice questions has 5 possible answers.

Admissions Criteria for St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School

Most Northern Ireland Grammar Schools are now using the SEAG Entrance Assessment instead of Transfer Test AQE or PPTC/GL Assessment. As part of their admissions criteria each school uses slightly different criteria versions for admissions. The vast majority of schools will have SEAG Band one as 1st criteria which means you need to score 206+ in the SEAG Entrance Assessment Test. If you don’t get band one then you will not be guaranteed a grammar school place in any school in Northern Ireland.
After criteria one, criteria two can vary depending on Grammar School. The majority of Grammar Schools 2nd criteria will be if a family member currently or in some cases has attended the school, other schools will go straight to SEAG TSAS scores. The main key point to note is that you need to aim for band one which is 206 in SEAG Entrance Assessment for the vast majority of Grammar Schools in Northern Ireland. Another key point is school preference, most schools don’t stipulate they have to be number one preference on the SEAG Application form to be considered for a place at their school. So, if you put down a Grammar School as 1st preference and don’t get the grade to get in, as long as your 2nd choice school doesn’t stipulate their school has to be 1st preference then it’s the same as putting the 2nd school down 1st on the SEAG application form.
Our advice is to read the Grammar School criteria carefully and know what your child needs to achieve to gain entry as a lot of parents get confused over the criteria. We keep an up-to-date database of past Transfer Test and SEAG scores you need to gain entry to all Grammar Schools in Northern Ireland.
Our SEAG products at bottom of the page are proven resources to give you child the best chance of getting a high score in SEAG, our Practice Test Papers with video explanations are a great starting point for the SEAG Exam. Our online and live tutor bootcamps are a great alternative to an expensive tutor and our mock exams are a great way to find out what level your child is currently at compared to other children who have taken our mock exams in the same area. Our mock exams will be pitched at examination level difficulty so you have an exact understanding of the level your child needs to aim for. Below is the criteria for this Grammar School. If you have any questions please contact us:

St. Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School is a boys, selective voluntary grammar school. The school accepts those who are academically suited for the type of education it offers whose parents/guardians are in agreement with the Catholic philosophy and aims of the school. The Board of Governors has determined that the educational outcomes from the SEAG Entrance Assessment will be used to admit applicants (see criteria A to F and subsidiary criteria H1 to H5) Information on the SEAG Entrance Assessment is available from the school or from www.stmaryscbgs.com. In accordance with the 1997 Education (Northern Ireland) Order (Section 16 (4), pupils resident in Northern Ireland at the time of their proposed admission will be selected for admission before any child not so resident may be selected.
1) In order to determine which applicants will be accepted into Year 8 in St. Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School, the following criteria will be applied in the order set down: A Applicants who have been awarded a total Standardised aged score (TSAS) which resides in Band 1 in the SEAG Entrance Assessment and also those applicants to whom Special Circumstances or Special Provisions apply and who, on the documented evidence submitted, are in the opinion of the Board of Governors of a comparable ability to applicants awarded a total Standardised aged score (TSAS) which resides in Band 1, then band 2 down to band 6.
2) Applicants who have a brother currently enrolled in St Mary’s (The name of the child of the family and his year group are required on the Transfer Application).
3) Applicants who, at the date of their application, are the eldest son of the family (“of the family” will be defined in accordance with Department of Education guidance), or the eldest child or the only child at the date of application, eligible to transfer to St Mary’s. This criterion will treat twins or other multiples as joint eldest. If a boy has an older brother who did not gain entry to St. Mary’s in previous years due to not sitting the entrance assessment or who applied to St. Mary’s but did not achieve a grade which enabled him to gain entry, he should be considered with all first/oldest boys (evidence must be provided). The parents/guardians must provide evidence stating that the son is the eldest and that the son and family are known for at least two years to the verifier of such evidence. It must be written on headed notepaper and signed by a verifier who is not a member of the applicant’s family. Examples of this might include a medical practitioner, a solicitor, a Priest/Minister of Religion, or a Primary School Principal.
4) Boys transferring from Primary Schools under the ERST trusteeship of the Christian Brothers: John Paul II Primary School and St Patrick’s Primary School. Boys transferring from our listed feeder schools (not listed in order of preference): Ballymacrickett, Ballymacward, Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagain, Bunscoil Phobal Feirste, Bunscoil an tSleibhe Dhuibh, Christ the Redeemer, Cranmore Integrated, Good Shepherd, Gaelscoil na bhFal, Gaelscoil Ghleann Darach, Gaelscoil na Móna, Good Shepherd, Hazelwood, Holy Child, Holy Cross, Holy Evangelists, Holy Family, Holy Rosary, Holy Trinity, Oakwood, Our Lady Queen of Peace, Our Lady of Lourdes, Scoil na Fuiseoige, Sacred Heart Primary School, St. Aloysius, St. Anne’s, St. Bernard’s, St. Bride’s, St. Clare’s, St. Colman’s (Lambeg), St. John the Baptist, St. Joseph’s (Slate Street), St. Joseph’s (Carryduff), St. Joseph’s (Lisburn), St. Joseph’s (Crumlin), St. Ita’s, St. Kevin’s, St. Kieran’s, St MacNissi’s, St. Malachy’s, St. Mary’s (Divis Street), St Mary’s- on-the-Hill, St. Matthew’s, St. Michael’s, St. Oliver Plunkett, St. Paul’s, St. Peter’s, St. Teresa’s, St. Therese of Lisieux, St Vincent de Paul, Scoil an Droichid, Scoil NBa fuiseoige, Tonagh (Lisburn).
5) In the event of oversubscription at the last criterion, selection for all places remaining in this category will be on the basis of the initial letter of the surname as identified on the birth certificate (if the surname has subsequently been legally changed ((evidence to be provided)) this new surname will be used) presented at registration for the SEAG Entrance Assessment. In the event of surnames beginning with the same letter, the subsequent letters of the surname will be used in alphabetical order using the randomised selection below. In the event of two or more identical surnames the alphabetical (randomised) order of the initial of the forenames will be used. Where names cannot be separated by this process, children will be accepted by date of birth with preference given to the oldest.
Visit St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School website for a more detailed Admissions Policy document – the https://stmaryscbgs.com