GL Familiarisation Afternoon 15 October 2015

Sample OMR answer sheet

Dates GL assessment Saturday 14 November 2015 Results will arrive at pupils’ homes on Saturday 30 th January 2016 Supplementary GL assessment Saturday 5 December 2015

What is the purpose of the supplementary test? Supplementary test is ONLY AVAILABLE for a pupil who was registered but unable to sit the test or part of the test because of medical or other emergency reasons If this applies to your son/daughter, you must write to Vice Principal, Mr Brown before 2 pm on 23 Nov Must supply documentary evidence Test centre for supplementary may not be Antrim Grammar

Drop off and collection arrangements Car parking will be available at the front of the school and on the upper car park/playground adjacent to Parkhall Integrated College Pupils and one parent will arrive in the canteen to register Registration will follow a similar process to this evening Pupils will be brought to the Canteen for collection

Assessment Area Arrangements Rooms will be allocated by Primary School Pupils with access arrangements will be in alternative rooms There will be 4 locations used for the tests Assessment areas will be set up as they are this evening Pupils will sit in the seat allocated to them this afternoon

Registration Pupils will register each morning of the test Registration will be similar to this evening Prefects will escort pupils to the assessment area Registration will be in order of surname Documents required for registration: –Identification card Parents will take coats/hats/scarves as these are not permitted in the assessment area

On the morning of the test Arrival time 8.45 – 9 a.m. Do not arrive before 8.45 a.m. Collection time p.m. Drop off point will be the school canteen Collection point will be the school canteen Prefects and senior pupils will escort P7 pupils to the correct location from the school canteen and back again after the test

GL Equipment to bring Registration card School will provide pencils and rubbers For approved access applicants – bilingual dictionaries, coloured overlays etc We will supply water and tissues Clock will be in each room **Do not bring mobile phone or watches**

Break There will be a 30 minute break between the English and Mathematics assessment Pupils will be escorted to the canteen for a snack and drink provided by the school There will be an opportunity to visit the toilet Weather permitting, pupils will be escorted outside for some fresh air before returning for the second part of the assessment

Format of English assessment Practice assessment – 20 minutes Main assessment – 50 minutes –reading passage followed by 10 comprehension questions. –then 10 spelling questions, –another reading passage followed by 14 comprehension questions. –then 8 punctuation questions –then a final reading passage followed by 13 comprehension questions. –finally, there are 5 general questions.

Format of the Mathematics Assessment Practice Assessment – 3 familiarisation questions and 6 practice questions Main Assessment – 45 questions in 45 minutes

Toilet Prefects will show pupils where the toilets are en-route to the assessment area and there will be an opportunity to go to the toilet before the test Pupils should only ask to go to the toilet during the test in an absolute emergency

Special Circumstances A medical or other problem occurring just before or during the assessment Parents provide appropriate evidence to the Board of Governors of the school to which their child is applying Board of Governors assess the evidence and make a decision The application form, will be available from the school after 14 November and must be returned before 11 December

Special Provision Children whose parents wish them to transfer to grammar schools from schools outside Northern Ireland. Children who have received more than half their primary education outside Northern Ireland Children, entered for the GL assessment, who because of unforeseen and serious medical or other problems, were unable to participate in either assessment Speak directly to the Principal of the school(s) to which your child wishes to apply

Access Arrangements Any child who might otherwise be prevented from taking the Entrance Assessment or whose performance is likely to be impaired by illness, injury, condition or disability may be granted access arrangements. Parents/guardians must have applied for Access Arrangements and had them approved by before or at the time of the GL Assessment. If access arrangements are required just before an assessment, contact VP Mr Brown.

Late arrivals If a candidate arrives to the examination centre shortly after the start of the assessment, we will permit them to sit the assessment in an alternative room If the candidate arrives to the examination centre after 15 minutes of the test starting, they will not be permitted to sit that day’s assessment

Good luck! We wish all candidates every success in their forthcoming entrance tests Antrim Grammar School Open Day – Saturday 9 January 2016

GL Familiarisation Afternoon 15 October 2015