The transfer test is a defining moment for many families in Craigavon. Passing it determines access to grammar schools like Lurgan College, and the competition is intense. Our experienced educators provide thorough, structured preparation covering both the AQE and GL formats that Northern Ireland grammar schools use.
AQE and GL Assessment Preparation
The two transfer test formats — AQE (three papers) and GL (one paper) — require different preparation strategies. AQE focuses on maths, English, and reasoning across three separate sittings, while GL combines everything into a single assessment. Our experienced educators in Craigavon are experienced with both formats and will tailor preparation to whichever your learner needs, or both if they're applying to schools that use different tests.
Independent Learning
The aim of tutoring is not dependence — it is independence. Working with Craigavon learners always includes helping them develop effective study habits: how to plan a revision timetable, how to use active recall instead of passive re-reading, how to break large tasks into manageable steps. These meta-skills are as valuable as the subject knowledge itself, and they serve pupils long after tutoring ends.
One-to-One Learning
There is strong evidence that individual instruction is the most effective form of teaching — and in Craigavon, families see this in practice. A dedicated tutor adapts explanations until they click, sets the right level of challenge, and notices immediately when understanding starts to slip. This responsive approach is simply not possible in a class of 25-30, which is why targeted tutoring often achieves in weeks what months of classroom teaching cannot.
When to Start Preparing
Most families in Craigavon start transfer test preparation at the end of P5 or the beginning of P6. Starting 12-18 months before the test gives enough time to build skills gradually. We begin with a diagnostic assessment to identify strengths and gaps, then create a structured weekly plan that covers all the content areas while building speed and accuracy under timed conditions.
If your learner is preparing for the transfer test in Craigavon, we can help. Get in touch for a diagnostic assessment and a clear preparation plan.