GRAMMAR schools in the North of Ireland are set to run a single common transfer test from November 2023.
BBC News NI says it has obtained a confidential document which outlines plans for a common test with two papers to be held that month.
If agreed, the plans would bring to an end the current system of separate tests run by AQE and PPTC.
The BBC says the majority of grammars have already agreed to the plans, but a minority remain opposed.
A new company – the Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG) – is being set up to run the transfer test.
The proposals have been drawn up by a group of 15 current and former grammar principals, referred to as “the implementation and the negotiating teams.”
Grammar-school boards of governors have been asked to decide whether to sign up to the plan by 3 pm on Wednesday, September 29.
None of the group of principals behind the common test proposals agreed to be interviewed for BBC News NI.
However, one source claimed that “the reality of a single test is closer than ever.”
The confidential document, called “Towards a Single Assessment” was circulated to schools who normally use transfer tests in early September.
“Members of the negotiating team and implementation team, made up of principals and members of PPTC and principals of AQE schools, have been working over the last few years to agree a framework to see the introduction of one system of assessment,” the document begins.
“We believe, with the actions outlined in this paper, the first testing using a single assessment model can be in November 2023.”
It goes on to say that the SEAG will be formed in October 2021, so schools have to agree to be members of it by 29 September.
The paper then goes on to give more details about the SEAG, the format and cost of the new tests.
The SEAG will be run by nine grammar school principals, all of whom will be nominated by grammars signed up to the new tests.
They will manage the administration of the new test and the finances of the organisation.
The document said that “a test provider has been identified” to provide a common test.
However, the company providing the test is not named.
“The format of the test has been agreed between the test provider and the implementation group within the parameters set out at the commencement of the process,” the document said.
Further details about the common transfer test are then given.
“The assessment will consist of two tests,” the document said.
“Each test will comprise English and mathematics items.
“The tests will be on separate dates – probably two weeks apart.
“There will be a mixture of multiple choice and free response (supply) items.”
Irish-language versions of the transfer test will also be provided.
“Financing the new company will come from two sources,” the document continued.
“An administration payment by parents of £20 per pupil – except for pupils who can claim a Free School Meal entitlement for whom the cost will be £0.”
The document also says there would be “a contribution made by each member school.”
In 2019/2020 – the most recent school year that transfer tests took place – there were 16,257 entrants in total for the separate AQE and Post-Primary Transfer Consortium (PPTC) tests.
The tests were cancelled in 2020/21 due to disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
It cost £60 for parents to enter their children for the AQE test in 2021/22 – unless they were entitled to free school meals in which case they did not have to pay a fee.
There is no fee for children to enter the current PPTC test.
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