11 plus exams in Northern Ireland

Many Local Education Authorities in England use some combination of Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, English, Mathematics and Science questions. The format of the examination set by each Local Education Authority can vary in the type of question, the number of questions set and the method of answering multiple choice versus traditional answers.

For many years the 11 plus examinations in Northern Ireland consisted of Verbal Reasoning papers but since 1993/94 the examination has been based on English, Mathematics and Science questions.

In September of the child's primary seven year parents are given the choice as to whether their child should sit the 11 plus or not, taking the examination is not compulsory.

Two examination papers of 75 questions each are given in the November of the primary seven year. A third examination, known as the Supplementary Test is given in mid December to pupils who because of illness or another reason have missed one or both of the main examinations.

The examination, usually supervised by external moderators, consists of 75 questions - 26 in English, 26 in mathematics and 23 in science. Each examination consists of six sections i.e. two sections for each subject and the order of the questions is made known to schools. For example the order of questions may be English, Mathematics, Science, English, Mathematics, Science and this will change for the second and supplementary examinations.

The questions are usually given in ascending order of difficulty. Practice examinations are not issued by the Department of Education but many schools use past papers or commercial tests as preparation.

Following marking of the examinations pupils are issued grades based on the total number of pupils in that year group not the number of pupils taking the examinations.

Marking of the examinations is very rigorous and while issuing the wrong grade is unlikely a school can request to have a pupil's examination remarked.

By virtue of the marking and grading system it is very difficult to predict what score will obtain an A grade.

Schools are issued with advice as to what the pupils will be questioned on during the examination and this is strongly based on the Key Stage Two Programmes of Study.

The preparation for the 11 plusexams given within schools varies and many parents use private tutors or purchase commercial practice aids from bookshops.

NB  their products directly to schools in Northern Ireland and not to retail outlets or private tutors.

Further information about Northern Ireland Eleven Plus is available at the Department of Education for Northern Ireland's website (www.deni.gov.uk) under the heading Parents.