www.thetransfertutor.com

Welcome to thetransfertutor.com

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The transfer test

With the abolishment of the 11 plus transfer test, grammar schools decided to set up their own entrance exams. The schools either fall into the AQE group or the PPTC group. Both tests are based on the Northern Ireland Revised Curriculum: although they differ in their style, structure and format. It is important to know which test that you will be sitting. I will outline key points of both groups. Key points: AQE

• All AQE schools will be using the Common Entrance Assessment

• The CEA is based on three one-hour exams, best two marks count • Child only has to do two of the three papers if they wish

• No supplementary paper • No science element

Key points: PPTC

• Will be using GL assessment papers • The GL Assessment will consist of two papers, both will be taken on the same

day

• The GL Assessment papers are in multiple choice format

• The first paper will assess English and will be 50 minutes long

• The second paper will assess Mathematics and will be 45 minutes long

• There is a short break between the two assessment papers

• The answers are marked on a separate sheet. This is a major difference to the old transfer procedure and requires practice.

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Welcome to thetransferutor.com website. Over the next few months we will work hard to cover essential skills and facts that you need to know for the tests in the autumn.

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The starting point for the website is the monthly timetable. The timetable sets out the topics that you should be covering. The areas can be broken down into three areas:

LEARN:

The LEARN topics will appear in RED on the timetable. When you click on the link the document will load up and you can print the document. I would advise you to read the LEARN notes carefully and use a highlighter pen to identify key points.

A good idea might also be to keep a notebook and write up some of the LEARN facts yourself, after you have read them. Please ensure the LEARN facts are fully learned, understood and tested on a regular basis. LEARN factsheets will generally appear in the early months of the timetable.

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Apply

Apply documents will appear in orange in the monthly timetable. Apply documents will give you a chance to practise some of the skills that were discussed in Learn.

The apply worksheets will generally be straightforward and the questions won’t be contained in exam-type word problems.

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Practise

The practise worksheets will appear in Green.

The practise worksheets will take the topics covered in Learn and Apply and test them in “exam type” questions.

If you find that you have struggled with the practise worksheet, print out the worksheet again and complete it once more.

Generally in a week the pattern will be: LEARN, APPLY and then PRACTISE.

In the main it is better to try to stick to this routine as it helps to build a clear understanding of the topics being covered.

Progress Tracker

The monthly progress tracker is crucial in ensuring that the work is not only being completed, but also tracking the progress that is being made. Fill in the progress tracker as you complete the worksheets. This will help you to identify topics that may need additional help.

Tests

In the latter months, I would recommend that commercial tests are completed to supplement the work that is completed on the site. There are links to relevant tests on the site.

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What do you first do when you learn to swim? You make mistakes, do you

not? And what happens? You make other mistakes, and when you have made

all the mistakes you possibly can without

drowning - and some of them many times over -

what do you find?

That you can swim!

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Password

Log in the site as normal. Then put http://www.thetransfertutor.com/wp-admin into the address bar. Click on Profile and go down to the password box and change the password.

Printers

It is essential to print all worksheets. If you are printing worksheets that contain a lot of colour it may be better to print in black and white.

Facebook

Sign up as a friend on Facebook to keep up to date with news related to the site.

Required materials:

• pencils • sharpener • highlighters • colouring pencils • lever arch file with dividers: divide into English:

Learn, Apply, Practice, Maths: Learn, Apply, Practice

• rough work book

Notice board

Check the notice board for information about the site, new resources that have been added and useful websites.

Some other issues

And finally, good luck with everything this year. If you have any questions, email me @ info@thetransfertutor.com

www.thetransfertutor.com