11 Plus in Northern Ireland

The 11 Plus was officially discontinued in Northern Ireland, but has re-emerged as a different selective process. The 11 Plus has had a roller-coaster history in Northern Ireland. After being officially ended by the authorities, parents and grammar schools alike decried the new "one-size fits all" admissions system and called for its reinstatement. Now there are two Consortia of schools in Northern Ireland, each with their own brand of 11 Plus: the Association for Quality Education (AQE), and the Post Primary Tranfer Consortium (PPTC).

The PPTC Test

Registration Deadline:Friday 26th September
Test date: 15th November
Content: Maths (45 min) and English (50 min), both multiple choice
Results: 30th January
Allocation: May/ June

The AQE Test

Registration Deadline: 12th September
Registration fee: £44
Can sit test in Irish
Test dates: there are three separate tests, on the 8th, 22nd and 29th.
Content: Each test paper is an hour long, and contains both English and Maths sections
Marking scheme: each paper is marked by 3 examiners. A pupil's final score is derived from the mean of the scores on their best two papers (hence why the late deadline, after the first exam). Pupils can take only two tests if they wish.
Results published : 31st January
Allocation in May/June