About Ballymena Academy
Ballymena Academy is a voluntary grammar school in Northern Ireland, admitting pupils into Year 8 via the SEAG Entrance Assessment, the Northern Ireland 11 plus transfer test. The SEAG Transfer Test, taken in Primary 7 (P7), consists of two papers each covering English and Mathematics. The school selects pupils in strict rank order of their SEAG Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS), applying published tie-break criteria only where scores are equal.
Ballymena Academy provides an outstanding academic education in Northern Ireland, with strong results and a wide range of extracurricular activities. GCSE 9–7: 58.2%.
About the SEAG Transfer Test at Ballymena Academy
Ballymena Academy is a co-educational voluntary grammar school in Antrim, Northern Ireland, with a non-denominational ethos. Entry to Year 8 (Form 1) is academically selective via the SEAG Entrance Assessment — administered by the Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG) on behalf of voluntary, controlled and Catholic-maintained grammar schools across Northern Ireland. Ballymena Academy admits 176 Year 8 pupils per year — the Department of Education approved Admissions Number in its official criteria.
The SEAG Transfer Test consists of two papers, each 60 minutes long, taken in November of Primary 7 (P7) and spaced one week apart. Each paper covers English (punctuation, grammar, spelling and comprehension) and Mathematics (the Key Stage 2 curriculum), in a mix of multiple-choice and free-response questions. The combined result is the Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) — a numerical score normalised against the cohort age distribution, which Ballymena Academy uses to rank applicants for admission.
For the current cycle (September 2027 entry), registration at seagni.co.uk closes at 11:59pm on Friday 18 September 2026 (£20 fee; families with Free School Meals Entitlement are exempt). Paper 1 is Saturday 14 November 2026 and Paper 2 is Saturday 21 November 2026, with results released on Saturday 23 January 2027. The Education Authority NI Transfer Portal window is TBC — last cycle it opened 27 January and closed at 12 noon on 19 February — with Offers Day expected in late April 2027.
ℹ️ Which criteria apply to your child: pupils sitting the November 2026 test are applying for September 2027 entry. Schools publish criteria for each entry year the preceding December, so the criteria on this page are transcribed from Ballymena Academy's most recent official document (September 2026 entry). The mechanism changes rarely; this page will be updated when the September 2027 document is published.
This page is updated each year with the latest verified admissions criteria, dates and oversubscription rules for Ballymena Academy. For the most up-to-date guidance, refer to the school's official admissions page (linked in the Quick Facts panel below) and the SEAG website at seagni.co.uk.
Year 8 Transfer Test Guide for Ballymena Academy
Ballymena Academy Admissions Criteria
Ballymena Academy is a voluntary grammar school in Northern Ireland, admitting pupils into Year 8 via the SEAG Entrance Assessment (Transfer Test). The SEAG Transfer Test, taken in Primary 7 (P7), consists of two papers each covering English and Mathematics. The school selects pupils in strict rank order of their SEAG Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS), applying published tie-break criteria only where scores are equal.
- ✓Register for the SEAG Transfer Test at seagni.co.uk — registration opened 18 May 2026 and closes at 11:59pm on Friday 18 September 2026. The fee is £20 (families with Free School Meals Entitlement are exempt).
- ✓Sit the SEAG Entrance Assessment in November of Primary 7 (P7) — two papers, one week apart (Saturdays 14 and 21 November 2026), each 60 minutes and each covering English and Mathematics.
- ✓Both papers must be sat to receive a full Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS). Pupils sitting only one paper receive an estimated score (shown as ‘e’ on results) and are considered under Special Provisions only, with supporting evidence.
- ✓Upload your Statement of Outcomes (available from the SEAG portal from Saturday 23 January 2027) with the online Transfer Application to Ballymena Academy.
- ✓Special Circumstances / Special Provisions: two-stage process reviewed by the Admissions Committee, with medical or professional documentation plus P5/P6 standardised-test evidence — forms SC and SP are available from the school.
- ✓Eligibility — children resident in Northern Ireland are considered first. Priority then goes, on equal terms, to applicants who sat the SEAG Entrance Assessment (with or without a Special Circumstances claim) and applicants with a valid Special Provisions claim.
- ✓Rank order — every one of the 176 places is allocated in strict rank order of SEAG Total Standardised Age Score, highest first. There is no banding stage, no pool and no non-academic priority group.
- ✓Tie-breaks (equal scores at the cut-off only), in order: (i) order of preference on the Transfer Application — unusually for a SEAG school, listing Ballymena Academy first can matter; (ii) siblings currently enrolled or accepted; (iii) eldest or only child of the family eligible to apply; (iv) attendance at a primary school within the former Ballymena Borough Council area; (v) a random-number process run in Microsoft Excel.
- ✓Not in the criteria — the official document contains no Free School Meals criterion and no looked-after-children criterion for Year 8 entry.
- ✓Duty to verify — the school can require evidence for any information on the application; false or missing information can cost the place. Full Admissions Criteria: www.ballymenaacademy.org.uk.
Ballymena Academy Oversubscription Criteria
Every one of the 176 places is allocated in rank order of the SEAG Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) achieved in the November Entrance Assessment. The sub-criteria below are applied only to separate applicants with equal scores at the final places — transcribed from the Board of Governors' official published criteria.
- Order of preference on the Transfer Application — first-preference applications selected before second, and so on. Most SEAG schools ignore preference order; Ballymena Academy uses it, so listing the school first can matter in a tie.
- Siblings currently enrolled or already accepted — more siblings rank ahead of fewer.
- Eldest or only child of the family eligible to apply (twins and multiples count as joint eldest).
- Attendance at a primary school within the former Ballymena Borough Council area.
- A random-number process run in Microsoft Excel, higher numbers taking precedence.
What Score Do You Need for Ballymena Academy?
The school does not publish a qualifying score — the cut-off emerges each year from where the 176th-ranked applicant falls. What the official document does publish is demand:
| 2023/24 entry — applications (all preferences) | 204 for 176 places · 176 admitted |
| 2024/25 entry — applications (all preferences) | 206 for 176 places · 176 admitted |
| 2025/26 entry — applications (all preferences) | 190 for 176 places · 176 admitted |
Key Dates & Deadlines — November 2026 Test (September 2027 Entry)
| 📌 SEAG Registration opens | Monday 18 May 2026 at seagni.co.uk |
| 📌 SEAG Registration closes | 11:59pm, Friday 18 September 2026 (£20 fee; FSME exempt) |
| 📌 Pupil Cards available | Friday 9 October 2026 |
| 📌 Assessment Paper 1 | Saturday 14 November 2026 |
| 📌 Assessment Paper 2 | Saturday 21 November 2026 |
| 📌 SEAG Results released | Saturday 23 January 2027 — download from your SEAG portal account |
| 📌 Re-mark request window | 25 January – 3 February 2027 |
| 📌 EA Portal opens / closes | TBC — EA to confirm (last cycle: 27 Jan / 12 noon 19 Feb) |
| 📌 Offers issued (Offers Day) | TBC — expected late April 2027 (last cycle: 24 April) |
How to Apply to Ballymena Academy via SEAG & EA NI
Step 1 — Register your child for SEAG
Register online at seagni.co.uk before 11:59pm on Friday 18 September 2026. The fee is £20 (FSME families exempt — upload EA evidence). A completed Pupil Application is required; an account alone does not register your child.
Step 2 — Sit the SEAG Entrance Assessment
Your child sits two SEAG papers — Saturdays 14 and 21 November 2026 — each 60 minutes, each covering English and Mathematics. Both must be sat for a full TSAS; a single-paper ‘e’ score goes through Special Provisions only.
Step 3 — Download your SEAG Statement of Outcomes
SEAG releases the Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) on Saturday 23 January 2027. Download it from your SEAG portal account.
Step 4 — Open the EA NI Transfer Portal
The Education Authority NI confirms the 2027 window in due course (last cycle: opened 27 January, closed 12 noon 19 February) — you apply through this portal, NOT directly to the school.
Step 5 — List Ballymena Academy as a preference
Enter your child's SEAG TSAS and Unique Pupil Number on the Transfer Application and upload the Statement of Outcomes plus any tie-break evidence (sibling details, primary school). At this school, preference order is the first tie-break for equal scores — listing it first can matter.
Step 6 — Submit by the EA Portal deadline
Submit before the EA's published deadline (TBC; last cycle 12 noon, 19 February). Late applications are considered at the EA's discretion in exceptional circumstances only.
Step 7 — Receive your offer on Offers Day
Offers are issued via the EA Portal, expected late April 2027. If unsuccessful you can appeal or join the waiting list — the school considers vacancies arising up to 30 June against the same published criteria.
SEAG Subjects Tested at Ballymena Academy
The SEAG Entrance Assessment for Ballymena Academy tests two subjects across two papers, sat about a week apart in November of Primary 7 (P7). Each paper lasts roughly 60 minutes and uses a mix of multiple-choice and free-response questions with no negative marking.
- English — reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar. Wide reading is the single biggest advantage here, building the vocabulary and inference skills the paper rewards.
- Mathematics — the full Key Stage 2 curriculum: number, fractions, decimals, percentages, measures, shape, data handling and multi-step problem solving, with an emphasis on speed and accuracy.
Both papers are combined into a single Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS), which Ballymena Academy uses to rank applicants for its Year 8 places. There is no separate verbal or non-verbal reasoning paper in the SEAG test.
SEAG Practice Papers for Ballymena Academy
Ballymena Academy uses the SEAG format. Our practice papers closely mirror the actual test structure — with full video explanations for every question.
- 12 × English & Mathematics tests
- 672 video explanations
- 30.5 hours of video content
- 4 English & Maths practice tests
- 224 video explanations
- 12 hrs video content
- 4 English & Maths practice tests
- 224 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
- 4 English & Maths practice tests
- 224 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Ballymena Academy SEAG Transfer Test
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
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📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at Ballymena Academy (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Established in 1828, Ballymena Academy is consistently one of Northern Ireland's top-performing grammar schools, with a long tradition of pupils achieving 'top three' marks in Northern Ireland at both GCSE and A-Level.
- GCSE: in recent reporting, 100% of pupils achieved five or more GCSEs at A*–C, and around 99% achieved seven or more including English and Maths.
- A-Level: approximately 84% of pupils achieved three or more A*–C grades — well above the NI grammar-school average — with a 100% pass rate and over two-thirds gaining at least one A grade.
- Progression: independent ALIS analysis shows pupils achieve better than expected for their ability, with strong entry to leading universities.
Exam results vary year to year, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school website.
Catchment Area for Ballymena Academy
Ballymena Academy is a co-educational, non-denominational voluntary grammar school set in picturesque parkland within walking distance of the town centre at 89 Galgorm Road, Ballymena (BT42 1AJ). It does not operate a fixed catchment boundary — pupils may apply from anywhere in Northern Ireland, and the school has a long tradition of drawing pupils from across the geographically and socially diverse community it serves.
Where applications exceed the available Year 8 places, the Board of Governors ranks applicants on the SEAG Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS), applying published sub-criteria as required. Always confirm the current criteria in the school's admissions booklet.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
A caring ethos and an extensive co-curricular programme are central to Ballymena Academy. Pupils are supported by a structured pastoral system that reinforces self-management, resilience and wellbeing as they progress through the school.
The school enjoys an internationally recognised reputation as a centre of sporting excellence — with strengths including hockey and golf — alongside a rich musical life, exemplified by its annual Spring Concert at The Braid Arts Centre, plus a wide range of cultural, social, business and environmental activities.
Ballymena Academy — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to Ballymena Academy for Year 8?
Applications to Ballymena Academy are made through the Education Authority NI Transfer Portal — NOT directly to the school. For September 2027 entry the EA window is TBC (last cycle it opened 27 January and closed at 12 noon on 19 February). You will need your child's SEAG Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) and SEAG Unique Pupil Number, and to upload the Statement of Outcomes. List Ballymena Academy among your preferences — at this school, preference order is the first tie-break for equal scores.
Does Ballymena Academy use the SEAG Transfer Test?
Yes — Ballymena Academy uses the SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group) Entrance Assessment for admission to Year 8. Pupils sit two SEAG papers in November of Primary 7 (P7), each lasting 60 minutes and each covering English and Mathematics in a mix of multiple-choice and free-response questions. The combined result is the Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS), which the school uses to rank applicants.
What SEAG score do I need for Ballymena Academy?
Ballymena Academy does not publish a minimum TSAS. All 176 places are allocated in rank order of TSAS, highest first, so the effective cut-off moves each year with the strength of the applicant pool. Recent demand was 204, 206 and 190 applications (all preferences) for 176 places across the last three published cycles — roughly 1.1–1.2 applicants per place. Tie-break criteria apply only for equal scores at the final places.
How many Year 8 places does Ballymena Academy have?
Ballymena Academy admits 176 pupils into Year 8 each year — the Department of Education approved Admissions Number in its official criteria document. In each of the last three published cycles the school received more applications than places (204, 206 and 190) and admitted exactly 176.
When are SEAG results released?
SEAG results (the Statement of Outcomes) for the November 2026 assessment are released on Saturday 23 January 2027. Parents/guardians can download the Statement of Outcomes from their SEAG portal account at seagni.co.uk and must upload it with their Ballymena Academy Transfer Application.
When is Offers Day for Ballymena Academy?
Offers Day for September 2027 entry is TBC — expected late April 2027 (last cycle it was Friday 24 April). Offers are issued through the Education Authority NI Transfer Portal. If unsuccessful you can join the waiting list or lodge an appeal through the EA NI; the school considers waiting-list vacancies arising up to 30 June.
What type of school is Ballymena Academy?
Ballymena Academy is a co-educational voluntary grammar school with a non-denominational ethos, located in Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is academically selective via the SEAG Transfer Test and admits 176 pupils into Year 8 each September.
How can my child prepare for the SEAG Test for Ballymena Academy?
ExamTutor offers a complete SEAG preparation programme including tutor-led practice papers, full video explanations for every question (covering all SEAG topic areas), and downloadable resources mapped to the GL Assessment SEAG specification. We recommend starting preparation 6-12 months before the November SEAG test to allow time for diagnostic, focused practice and confidence building.
Where can I find Ballymena Academy's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Criteria document for Ballymena Academy is published on the school's official website at https://www.ballymenaacademy.org.uk/admissions and via the Education Authority NI. The criteria on this page were transcribed from the September 2026 entry document (updated December 2025); the September 2027 entry document is published around December 2026. Always check for the most up-to-date criteria, Open Day dates and required documents.
Sources: Ballymena Academy "Admissions Criteria for Entry September 2026" (updated December 2025, published via the Education Authority NI); seagni.co.uk. Data transcribed and verified 12 August 2026.