About Carrickfergus Grammar School
Carrickfergus Grammar School 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.
Carrickfergus Grammar School provides an outstanding academic education in Northern Ireland, with strong results and a wide range of extracurricular activities. GCSE 9–7: 56.4%.
About the SEAG Transfer Test at Carrickfergus Grammar School
Carrickfergus Grammar School is a co-educational controlled 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. Carrickfergus Grammar School admits 116 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 Carrickfergus Grammar School 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 reflect the most recent official document. 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 Carrickfergus Grammar School. 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 Carrickfergus Grammar School
Carrickfergus Grammar School Admissions Criteria
Carrickfergus Grammar School 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 Carrickfergus Grammar School.
- ✓Special Circumstances / Special Provisions: a two-stage process reviewed by the Admissions Committee, with medical or professional documentation plus P5/P6 standardised-test evidence.
- ✓Eligibility — applicants who sat the SEAG Entrance Assessment (with or without a Special Circumstances claim) and applicants with a valid Special Provisions claim are considered on equal terms.
- ✓Rank order — every one of the 116 places is allocated in strict rank order of SEAG Total Standardised Age Score, highest first.
- ✓Tie-breaks (equal scores at the cut-off), in order: (I) — child of a family enrolled at the school; (II) — eldest eligible child of the family; (III) — attendance at a named contributory primary school, or the school being closer than an alternative; (IV) — Excel random number ranking.
- ✓Duty to verify — the school can require evidence for information on the application; false or missing information can cost the place. Full Admissions Criteria: www.carrickfergusgrammar.com.
Carrickfergus Grammar School Oversubscription Criteria
Every one of the 116 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 official published criteria.
- (I) — child of a family enrolled at the school
- (II) — eldest eligible child of the family
- (III) — attendance at a named contributory primary school, or the school being closer than an alternative
- (IV) — Excel random number ranking
What Score Do You Need for Carrickfergus Grammar School?
The school does not publish a fixed qualifying score — here is what the official documents and allocation statements actually show:
| 2025/26 last place | TSAS 185 |
| 2024/25 last place | TSAS 185 |
| 2025/26 — admission number 116 | 151 applications, 118 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 Carrickfergus Grammar School 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 Carrickfergus Grammar School 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 evidence relevant to the school's sub-criteria (sibling details, primary school).
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 through the EA.
SEAG Subjects Tested at Carrickfergus Grammar School
The SEAG Entrance Assessment for Carrickfergus Grammar School 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 Carrickfergus Grammar School 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 Carrickfergus Grammar School
Carrickfergus Grammar School 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 Carrickfergus Grammar School 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
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 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 Carrickfergus Grammar School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Carrickfergus Grammar School (CGS) is one of Northern Ireland's most consistently improving grammar schools, particularly praised for academic value-added — pupils performing better than expected from their baseline.
- GCSE: in 2022 the school recorded its highest-ever results, with every pupil achieving seven or more passes at A*–C; in 2018 it was the second top Controlled Grammar in NI for GCSE.
- A-Level: in 2022, over 58% of pupils achieved at least two A*–A grades.
- Innovation: the first Research School in Northern Ireland for learning and teaching, with a strong focus on evidence-based study strategies.
Exam results vary year to year, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school website.
Catchment Area for Carrickfergus Grammar School
Carrickfergus Grammar School is a co-educational controlled grammar school of around 800 pupils on the North Road, on the former site of Thornfield Manor overlooking the town, Carrickfergus Castle and Belfast Lough (120 North Road, BT38 7RA). It draws pupils from Carrickfergus and surrounding areas including Belfast, Newtownabbey and Larne, but does not operate a fixed catchment boundary.
Where applications exceed the available Year 8 places, the Board of Governors ranks applicants on the SEAG Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS). Always confirm the current criteria in the school's admissions booklet.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Carrickfergus Grammar is a Science specialist school whose motto, "Praestantia" (excellence), reflects its ambitions. The high quality of its pastoral care has been recognised as a strength by the Education and Training Inspectorate, and the school's size supports a genuine family ethos with very high standards of behaviour. Pupils belong to one of four houses — Castle, Fergus, Knockagh and Thornfield.
Alongside modern science labs, ICT suites and an updated Sixth Form Centre, the school offers a wide programme of sport, music, drama and other extracurricular clubs and societies (school colours maroon, navy blue and white).
Carrickfergus Grammar School — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to Carrickfergus Grammar School for Year 8?
Applications to Carrickfergus Grammar School 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 Carrickfergus Grammar School among your preferences.
Does Carrickfergus Grammar School use the SEAG Transfer Test?
Yes — Carrickfergus Grammar School 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).
What SEAG score do I need for Carrickfergus Grammar School?
Carrickfergus Grammar School does not publish a minimum TSAS — places are allocated in rank order, so the effective cut-off moves each year with the applicant pool. Recent year-labelled figures: 2025/26 last place: TSAS 185; 2024/25 last place: TSAS 185. Recent demand: 2025/26: 151 applications, 118 admitted against an admission number of 116.
How many Year 8 places does Carrickfergus Grammar School have?
Carrickfergus Grammar School admits 116 pupils into Year 8 each year — the Department of Education approved Admissions Number in its official criteria document. Recent cycles: 2025/26: 151 applications, 118 admitted.
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 Transfer Application.
When is Offers Day for Carrickfergus Grammar School?
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.
What type of school is Carrickfergus Grammar School?
Carrickfergus Grammar School is a co-educational controlled grammar school with a non-denominational ethos, located in Antrim, Northern Ireland. It admits 116 pupils into Year 8 each September.
How can my child prepare for the SEAG Test for Carrickfergus Grammar School?
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 Carrickfergus Grammar School's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Criteria document for Carrickfergus Grammar School is published on the school's official website at https://www.carrickfergusgrammar.com and via the Education Authority NI. Criteria for each entry year are published the preceding December — the September 2027 entry document is due around December 2026. Always check for the most up-to-date criteria, Open Day dates and required documents.
Sources: the school's official "Admissions Criteria" document (published via the Education Authority NI); seagni.co.uk. Transcribed and verified 13 August 2026.