AQE Familiarisation Afternoon 15 October 2015

Sample front cover of AQE paper

Dates AQE assessment Saturday 7 November 2015 Saturday 21 November 2015 Saturday 28 November 2015 Results will arrive at pupils’ homes on Saturday 30 th January 2016

Why 3 tests? Applicants may sit two out of the three papers or all three papers: in the latter case the best two scores will count. However the three assessment option, which allows for an “off-day”, is recommended by AQE Ltd. as giving candidates the best chance of showing their true potential. Each year practically all the candidates sit the three papers.

Drop off and collection arrangements Car parking will be available at the front of the school and on the upper car park/playground adjacent to Parkhall Integrated College Pupils and one parent will arrive in the canteen to register Registration will follow a similar process to this evening Pupils will be brought to the Canteen for collection

Assessment Area Arrangements Rooms will be allocated by Primary School Pupils with access arrangements will be in alternative rooms There will be 4 locations used for the tests Assessment areas will be set up as they are this evening Pupils will sit in the seat allocated to them this afternoon

Registration Pupils will register each morning of the test Registration will be similar to this evening Prefects will escort pupils to the assessment area Registration will be in order of surname Documents required for registration: –Identification card Parents will take coats/hats/scarves as these are not permitted in the assessment area

On the morning of the test Arrival time 9.15 – 9.45 a.m. Aim for 9.30 a.m. Do not arrive before 9.15 a.m. Collection time a.m. Drop off point will be the school canteen Collection point will be the school canteen Prefects and senior pupils will escort P7 pupils to the correct location from the school canteen and back again after the test

AQE Equipment to bring AQE registration card 2 pencils Rubber Antrim Grammar will have spare rubbers/pencils We will supply water and tissues Clock will be in each room **Do not bring mobile phone or watches**

Format of AQE test 1 hour in duration Assesses English and Mathematics Three tests – final result will be based on the best two scores out of three No supplementary test

Format of the Paper 8 mathematics items Poem 1 followed by 7 comprehension items. 8 mathematics items Basic skills passage (lines numbered on the right) followed by 5 basic skills items. 8 mathematics items. Poem 2 (followed by 7 comprehension items) 8 mathematics items Prose passage followed by 7 comprehension items.

Toilet Prefects will show pupils where the toilets are en-route to the assessment area and there will be an opportunity to go to the toilet before the test Pupils should only ask to go to the toilet during the test in an absolute emergency

Special Circumstances A medical or other problem occurring just before or during the assessment Parents provide appropriate evidence to the Board of Governors of the school to which their child is applying Board of Governors assess the evidence and make a decision The application form, SC15, may be viewed on the AQE website

Special Provision Children whose parents wish them to transfer to grammar schools from schools outside Northern Ireland. Children who have received more than half their primary education outside Northern Ireland Children, entered for the CEA, who because of unforeseen and serious medical or other problems, were unable to participate in any of the assessments Use the SC15 form to apply to the grammar school under Special Provision (available from the AQE website

Access Arrangements Any child who might otherwise be prevented from taking the Entrance Assessment or whose performance is likely to be impaired by illness, injury, condition or disability may be granted access arrangements. Parents/guardians must have applied for Access Arrangements and had them approved by AQE before or at the time of the Entrance Assessment. If access arrangements are required just before an assessment, contact the AQE office.

Late arrivals If a candidate arrives to the examination centre shortly after the start of the assessment, we will permit them to sit the assessment in an alternative room If the candidate arrives to the examination centre after 15 minutes of the test starting, they will not be permitted to sit that day’s assessment

Good luck! We wish all candidates every success in their forthcoming entrance tests Antrim Grammar School Open Day – Saturday 9 January 2016

AQE Familiarisation Afternoon 16 October 2014