🏫 Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI) – SEAG Practice Papers with Video Explanations
Voluntary Grammar School | Boys | Belfast, Northern Ireland | Ages 11–18
Commonly referred to as “Inst”
📚 History of Royal Belfast Academical Institution
The Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI), known affectionately as “Inst”, was founded in 1810 and officially opened in 1814, making it one of the oldest and most prestigious grammar schools in Ireland. It was established by a group of progressive Belfast citizens who wanted a school that combined classical education with modern thinking, independent of church control.
Granted a royal charter by King George III, the school occupies an iconic Georgian building in the heart of Belfast city centre, close to City Hall and Queen’s University. Over the centuries, RBAI has educated many notable figures in law, politics, science, and the arts, and it remains a leading institution in academic, cultural, and sporting life in Northern Ireland.
👨🎓 Pupil Numbers & School Structure
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Total Pupils: ~1,000
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Year 8 Intake: ~140–150 boys
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Sixth Form: ~300+ students
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Gender: Boys only
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Age Range: 11–18
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School Type: Voluntary Grammar School
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Religious Ethos: Non-denominational (Inclusive)
🎓 Academic Reputation
RBAI is widely recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s top academic schools, known for consistently outstanding GCSE and A-Level results, a challenging curriculum, and pathways to Oxbridge, Russell Group universities, and professional careers.
✅ Academic Strengths:
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Strong departments in Sciences, Mathematics, English, Languages, History, and Music
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High levels of success in Medicine, Law, Engineering, and Business admissions
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Long-standing links with Queen’s University Belfast, Oxford, and Cambridge
📊 Academic Results:
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GCSEs:
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~99–100% achieve 7+ GCSEs A–C*
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~90% of grades at A–A*
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A-Levels:
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~85–90% of grades at A–B*
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High percentage of pupils gain entry into top universities in the UK, Ireland, and internationally
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🏆 Awards & Recognition
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One of the Top 5 Grammar Schools in Northern Ireland (based on league tables and exam results)
🏫 Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI) – Contact Information
School Name: Royal Belfast Academical Institution
Common Name: RBAI or “Inst”
Type: Voluntary Grammar School for Boys (Ages 11–18)
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Principal: Mr. Jarleth Burns
📍 Address:
Royal Belfast Academical Institution
College Square East
Belfast
BT1 6DL
Northern Ireland
United Kingdom
☎️ Telephone:
+44 (0)28 9024 0461
📧 Email:
🌐 Website:
📱 Social Media:
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Twitter/X: @rbai_belfast
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Facebook: Royal Belfast Academical Institution
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Instagram: @rbai_belfast
You can view the school’s location on the map below:
SEAG Score Needed to get into Royal Belfast Academical Institution
Below is historical scores for Royal Belfast Academical Institution from 2022 to 2014.
2022 Lowest Grade – AQE – 94
2021 N/A
2020 Lowest Grade – AQE – 94
2019 Lowest Grade – AQE – 93
2018 Lowest Grade – AQE – 94
2017 Lowest Grade – AQE – 93
2016 Lowest Grade – AQE – 94
2015 Lowest Grade – AQE – 94
2014 Lowest Grade – AQE – 91
As you can see from the above stats 94 in AQE test in recent years will have got you into Royal Belfast Academical Institution.
A 94 score in old AQE test is equivalent to 185 in new SEAG test, so based on past intake a minimum score of 185+ in SEAG test would give your child a high chance of getting accepted into Royal Belfast Academical Institution.
SEAG Comparison with historical AQE and PPTC outcomes:
| Approx PPTC / GL Equivalent SAS | SEAG TSAS | Approx AQE Equivalent SAS | SEAG Band | SEAG Cohort Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 282 | 282 | 130 | 1 | 100 |
| 258 | 236 | 1 | 90 | |
| 249 | 224 | 113 | 1 | 80 |
| 242 | 215 | 109 | 1 | 70 |
| 236 | 207 | 106 | 1 | 60* |
| 231 | 200 | 103 | 2 | 50* |
| 226 | 193 | 99 | 3 | 40* |
| 220 | 185 | 94 | 4 | 30* |
| 214 | 175 | 88 | 5 | 20* |
| 200 | <175 | 6 | <20 |
*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.
| Minimum PPTC /GL SAS needed for Grade | PPTC/ GL Grade | Approx Equivalent SEAG TSAS |
|---|---|---|
| 234 | A | 206 |
| 229 | B1 | 197 |
| 224 | B2 | 190 |
| 219 | C1 | 183 |
| 213 | C2 | 174 |
| <213 | D | <174 |
How to Use ExamTutor SEAG Transfer Test Practice Papers (with Video Explanations) to Achieve High Scores for Royal Belfast Academical Institution
Preparing for the SEAG Transfer Test effectively is crucial to securing a place at highly competitive grammar schools like Royal Belfast Academical Institution. To secure a place, students must achieve a high score in the SEAG Transfer Test. ExamTutor’s SEAG Practice Test Papers with Video Explanations provide a structured and effective way to prepare, ensuring students are fully familiar with the question types and exam format used in the 11+ entrance exam.
How ExamTutor SEAG Practice Papers with Video Explanations Help Students Succeed
1. Mirrors the SEAG Transfer Test Format
ExamTutor’s practice papers mirror the GL Assessment SEAG test format, covering:
📌 English – Reading comprehension, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
📌 Mathematics – Numerical reasoning, arithmetic, and problem-solving.
✔ By practicing with ExamTutor papers, students become familiar with the structure and content of the SEAG entrance exam, improving confidence and performance.
2. Identify Weak Areas & Improve Performance with a Structured Study Plan
A structured study plan is essential for SEAG Transfer Test success. Our practice papers:
✔ Help identify weaker subjects at the earliest stage.
✔ Allow students to focus on specific question types where they struggle.
✔ Include detailed answer explanations so students understand their mistakes and improve.
📌 Tip: Encourage your child to take regular timed practice tests to build exam stamina and confidence.
3. Boost Confidence with Video Explanations
Some SEAG transfer Test question types can be challenging for students. Our tutor-led video explanations:
🎥 Break down complex questions step by step
🎥 Teach proven problem-solving techniques
🎥 Show shortcuts and strategies to save time in the exam
🎥 Help students reinforce learning and build confidence
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 students fully understand concepts rather than just memorising answers.
4. 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.
5. Build Confidence Before the Big Day
Confidence is crucial for success in the SEAG exam. Our practice tests help by:
✔ Simulating real exam conditions – So students know exactly what to expect.
✔ Providing motivation through measurable improvement.
📌 Tip: Encourage your child to review their mistakes using our detailed video explanations to turn weaknesses into strengths.
Why Choose ExamTutor 11+ Practice Papers for SEAG transfer test Preparation?
✔ SEAG GL Assessment-style practice papers covering all tested subjects.
✔ Video explanations for step-by-step learning.
✔ Used successfully by thousands of students every year.
How to Get Started with ExamTutor Practice Papers
1️⃣ Take a practice test – Identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses.
2️⃣ Create a study plan – Focus on weaker areas while reinforcing strengths.
3️⃣ Practice regularly – Use ExamTutor timed papers to simulate real exam conditions.
4️⃣ Review mistakes using video explanations – Learn from errors and improve.
5️⃣ Track progress – Monitor scores over time to ensure continuous improvement.
📌 Tip: Start preparing at least 6–12 months before the exam to allow enough time for practice and improvement.
Royal Belfast Academical Institution entry is highly competitive, but ExamTutor SEAG Practice Papers with Video Explanations provide a powerful tool to maximise your child’s success.
By mirroring the SEAG test format, identifying weak areas, improving time management, and building confidence, our practice tests give students the best chance of securing a high score and gaining admission to Royal Belfast Academical Institution.
Why Choose ExamTutor 11+ Practice Papers for Royal Belfast Academical Institution 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 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 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.
📌 Start preparing today with ExamTutor and set your child on the path to SEAG success! 🚀
📋 Admissions Criteria
If oversubscribed (~140–150 places), RBAI applies the following criteria:
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Applicants with SEAG Transfer Test scores (ranked highest to lowest)
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Siblings of current or past pupils
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Children of staff members or former pupils
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Boys attending contributory or feeder primary schools
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Geographical proximity to school (used as a tie-breaker)
✅ Special Circumstances (e.g. medical, SEN, or bereavement) and Special Provisions (e.g. newcomer pupils) may be considered with supporting documentation.
📅 Admissions Timeline
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| SEAG Registration Opens | May |
| SEAG Registration Closes | September |
| SEAG Test Dates | November (2 Saturdays) |
| SEAG Results Sent to Parents | January |
| EA Application Opens | Late January |
| Application Deadline | February |
| Offers Announced | March |
SEAG Exam Information for ‘Royal Belfast Academical Institution’.
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. Royal Belfast Academical Institutionis a SEAG School. Royal Belfast Academical Institution 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 Royal Belfast Academical Institution
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:
CAPITAL FEE £1370 – 2023/24 (2024/25 tbc) It is the policy of the Board of Governors that no boy who is offered a place at the Main School should be unable to take up that place because of the financial circumstances of his parents or guardians. Accordingly the Board of Governors operates a discretionary annual means tested Bursary Scheme which may provide for a boy’s fees to be paid in whole or in part.
Admissions Criteria for entry into Year 8
The Board is responsible for the Admissions Criteria set out below. The Board in applying those criteria may delegate that responsibility to a sub-committee appointed by the Board for that purpose. Only boys may apply for admission to the Main School, and in the event that the Main School has more applicants than it has places, it will apply the criteria set out below in selecting those applicants to whom it will offer places. The Board will consider the outcome of a boy’s performance in the assessment organised and conducted by the Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group (“SEAG”). On the Transfer Application parents should provide details of the candidate number issued to their son by SEAG when he was registered for the assessment.
1.1 The School will admit 150 boys to the Main School, admitting
1.1.1 boys in Band 1 before boys in Band 2,
1.1.2 boys in Band 2 before those in Band 3,
1.1.3 boys in Band 3 before those in Band 4,
1.1.4 boys in Band 4 before those in Band 5,
1.1.5 boys in Band 5 before those in Band 6,
1.2 Where a boy has asked to be treated as a special case and the Board on the evidence produced to it has concluded that the boy is entitled to be so treated, the Board shall make an assessment of the academic ability of that boy taking into account the SAS obtained by the boy in the SEAG Assessment test and, using such alternative academic evidence as is available to it, shall accord to that applicant an estimated SAS and shall place that boy in the Band appropriate for that estimated SAS.
2. Where a selection has to be made between boys within a Band, to determine whom should be admitted to the School, priority will be determined by applying, in order, the criteria set out in clause 3.
3. The following are the criteria to be applied for the purposes of clause 2:
3.1 An applicant who is a pupil of Inchmarlo;
3.2 An applicant who has, or has had at any time, a sibling attending the Main School;
3.3 An applicant who is the only or eldest boy of his family;
3.4 An applicant selected by computerised random selection.
WAITING LIST POLICY Should a vacancy arise after 20 May 2024 all applications for admission to Year 8 that were initially refused, new applications and applications where new information has been provided will be treated equally and the published criteria applied. Please contact the School if you wish your son’s name to be removed from the list
Royal Belfast Academical Institution website for a more detailed Admissions Policy document – the https://rbai.org.uk
