About Dominican College, Portstewart
Dominican College, Portstewart 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 is all-ability and does not use SEAG results in its admissions criteria.
Dominican College, Portstewart provides an outstanding academic education in Northern Ireland, with strong results and a wide range of extracurricular activities. GCSE 9–7: 80%.
About the SEAG Transfer Test at Dominican College, Portstewart
Dominican College, Portstewart is a co-educational Catholic voluntary grammar school in Londonderry/Derry, Northern Ireland, with a roman catholic 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. Dominican College, Portstewart admits 101 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 Dominican College, Portstewart 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 Dominican College, Portstewart. 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 Dominican College, Portstewart
Dominican College, Portstewart Admissions Criteria
Dominican College, Portstewart 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 is all-ability and does not use SEAG results in its admissions criteria.
- ✓Dominican College Portstewart is all-ability — SEAG registration is not required to apply here.
- ✓If your child is sitting SEAG for other schools: registration at seagni.co.uk closes at 11:59pm on Friday 18 September 2026 (£20; FSME exempt) and the papers are on Saturdays 14 and 21 November 2026.
- ✓Apply through the Education Authority NI Transfer Portal when the window opens (TBC; last cycle late January – mid February).
- ✓Places are allocated using the school's published non-academic criteria — SEAG scores are not part of them.
- ✓All-ability — Dominican College Portstewart is an all-ability school — it does NOT academically select, and SEAG results are not used in its admissions criteria. Places are allocated using the school's published non-academic criteria; in a recent oversubscribed round the last place was settled by random selection within a feeder-primary sub-criterion.
- ✓Contributions — Voluntary contribution of £100 per pupil (no capital fee).
- ✓Pupils sitting SEAG for other schools can of course still apply here — the score simply is not part of this school's criteria.
- ✓Duty to verify — the school can require evidence for information on the application; false or missing information can cost the place. Full Admissions Criteria: dominicanportstewart.com.
Dominican College, Portstewart Oversubscription Criteria
Dominican College Portstewart is an all-ability school — it does NOT academically select, and SEAG results are not used in its admissions criteria. Places are allocated using the school's published non-academic criteria; in a recent oversubscribed round the last place was settled by random selection within a feeder-primary sub-criterion.
- Non-academic criteria as set out in the official document (SEAG results are not used).
What Score Do You Need for Dominican College Portstewart?
The school does not publish a fixed qualifying score — here is what the official documents and allocation statements actually show:
| 2025/26 — admission number 101 | 138 applications, 105 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 Dominican College, Portstewart via SEAG & EA NI
Step 1 — Register your child for SEAG
No SEAG registration is needed to apply to Dominican College Portstewart. Only register at seagni.co.uk (by 11:59pm, Friday 18 September 2026; £20, FSME exempt) if your child is also applying to selective schools.
Step 2 — Sit the SEAG Entrance Assessment
SEAG is not required for Dominican College Portstewart. If your child is sitting it for other schools, the papers are on Saturdays 14 and 21 November 2026.
Step 3 — Download your SEAG Statement of Outcomes
If your child sat SEAG for other schools, the Statement of Outcomes is released on Saturday 23 January 2027 via the SEAG portal.
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 Dominican College Portstewart as a preference
List Dominican College Portstewart among your preferences — SEAG scores are not part of this school's criteria, so no Statement of Outcomes is required for this application.
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 Dominican College, Portstewart
The SEAG Entrance Assessment for Dominican College, Portstewart 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 Dominican College, Portstewart 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 Dominican College, Portstewart
Dominican College, Portstewart 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 Dominican College, Portstewart 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 Dominican College, Portstewart (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Dominican College, Portstewart is widely recognised as one of Northern Ireland's top Catholic grammar schools on the North Coast, with a strong record in public examinations.
- GCSE: in 2023 around 96% of pupils achieved five or more GCSEs at A*–C (about 90% including English and Maths).
- A-Level / post-16: strong A-Level outcomes, with over 80% of recent leavers progressing to university, the majority to their first-choice course.
- Strengths: high performance in English, Science, Maths, Religious Studies and Languages, with notable success in Music and Drama.
Exam results vary year to year, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school website.
Catchment Area for Dominican College, Portstewart
Dominican College is a Catholic co-educational voluntary grammar school of around 660 pupils at 2 Strand Road, Portstewart (BT55 7PF), founded in 1917 by the Dominican Sisters and co-educational since 1968. Set on the site of the former O'Hara's Castle on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic, it draws pupils from a wide area across the North Coast and from diverse denominational backgrounds, but does not operate a fixed catchment boundary.
The College is often oversubscribed; 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
Guided by the Dominican motto "Veritas" (Truth), Dominican College focuses on the holistic development of the whole child through high academic standards, exemplary pastoral care and values of compassion, respect and inclusivity — concerned not merely with knowledge and skills but with training pupils to think, evaluate and make decisions.
The school has a strong co-curricular life, with sports including netball, camogie, hurling, Gaelic football, soccer, athletics and tennis, alongside flourishing Music, Drama and other clubs and societies.
Dominican College, Portstewart — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to Dominican College Portstewart for Year 8?
Applications to Dominican College Portstewart 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). List Dominican College Portstewart among your preferences.
Does Dominican College Portstewart use the SEAG Transfer Test?
No — Dominican College Portstewart is an all-ability school and does not use SEAG results in its admissions criteria. Pupils who sit SEAG for other schools can still apply here; the score simply is not part of this school's criteria.
What SEAG score do I need for Dominican College Portstewart?
None — Dominican College Portstewart does not academically select, so there is no SEAG score requirement. Places are allocated using the school's published non-academic criteria.
How many Year 8 places does Dominican College Portstewart have?
Dominican College Portstewart admits 101 pupils into Year 8 each year — the Department of Education approved Admissions Number in its official criteria document. Recent cycles: 2025/26: 138 applications, 105 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 Dominican College Portstewart?
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 Dominican College Portstewart?
Dominican College Portstewart is an all-ability (non-selective) school in Northern Ireland. Voluntary contribution of £100 per pupil (no capital fee).
How can my child prepare for the SEAG Test for Dominican College Portstewart?
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 Dominican College Portstewart's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Criteria document for Dominican College Portstewart is published on the school's official website at https://dominicanportstewart.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.