AQE Entrance Examination

I would like to extend a warm welcome to all P7 children who will be sitting the AQE CEA tests at Bloomfield Collegiate in November and December 2018. Previous pupils have found the experience of doing the tests at Bloomfield a relatively stress-free experience and I am sure this year will be no different.

We organise a familiarisation afternoon on Wednesday 24th October to help put you and your child at ease about the procedure on test days. They will have their registration checked in the same way as on test day and will then be taken to our examination hall where they will get the opportunity to try out their desk, meet the invigilators, and learn about what to expect during the tests.

I look forward to seeing you during that welcome day.

Mr G. Greer

Principal

TEST DATES

  1. SATURDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2018
  2. SATURDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2018
  3. SATURDAY 1 DECEMBER 2018

Key Points

Please consider the following information and help the test days to run effectively.

Key Points for Parents and Guardians

  1. Bring your child to the front entrance of Bloomfield Collegiate School at 9:15am on each test day. As before, parents are asked not to enter the test venue or linger outside.
  2. Please note that although there are no car parking spaces available on the school site, there are car parking spaces in the surrounding area, but please leave enough time to walk up to the school entrance.
  3. It is not necessary for the children to wear school uniform; comfortable clothes are recommended but no sports tops.
  4. Children must bring the CEA Desk Card provided by AQE, two sharpened pencils and a rubber but no pencil case. They should also bring the seating plan card already supplied.
  5. Mobile phones and other digital devices, food or drinks (except for medical reasons) should not be brought into the test venue.
  6. After the test is over at 11am the invigilators will conduct the children to the front of school to be reunited with parents.
  7. If your child is ill on the day of a test and cannot attend please ring the school on 02890 471 214. You may also inform the AQE office on 02890 224002.

AQE Familiarisation Afternoon

The familiarisation afternoon is a great opportunity for the pupils to learn about the AQE test procedures, where they will sit the three papers and meet the invigilation staff. It is also an important chance for them to ask any questions.

Key Points for Parents and Guardians

  1. Bring your child to front entrance of Bloomfield Collegiate School at 4.00 pm. Only candidates taking the tests will be permitted beyond the front doors of the main building which is the venue for the assessments.Please note that although no car parking spaces are available on the school site, there are car parking spaces available in the surrounding area.
  2. School uniform is optional; comfortable clothes are recommended but no sports tops please.
  3. Children must bring the CEA Desk Card provided by AQE, two sharpened pencils and a rubber but no pencil case. They should also bring the seating plan card, already supplied.
  4. Mobile phones, digital devices and food or drink (except for medical reasons) should not be brought into the test venue.
  5. Parents are asked to accompany their children to the main building but not to enter or to linger outside.
  6. The children will be shown to their desk by school staff and Bloomfield pupils.
  7. During this session, Invigilators will explain the procedures for the test and the children will be given practice in filling in the first page of the test booklet (they will not be answering any test questions at this time). Arrangements for the use of toilets, evacuation procedures and how to ask for assistance during the tests will also be explained.
  8. It is envisaged that this familiarisation session will be over at around 5.00 pm after which invigilators will accompany the children to the front of school to be reunited with parents.

THE ASSESSMENT

The format of the Common Entrance Assessments (CEA) is based on three one-hour assessments which take account of the English and Mathematics attainment targets of the primary school curriculum. The questions will test the skills, aptitude and knowledge that all pupils will be developing at this Key Stage.

Each paper has 58 questions counting for 64 marks. There are 32 marks for English and 32 marks for Mathematics.

Please note that the use of a calculator will not be permitted in the tests.

USEFUL DOCUMENTS AND LINKS

Open Evening

Our next school open day will be held on Wednesday, 16th January 2019.

Individual visits may be arranged by appointment with the Principal. Information about admissions to schools in their respective areas is published by the Education Authority and is available by following the link:

http://www.eani.org.uk/i-want-to/apply-for-a-school-place-or-transfer-between-schools/