There are two assessments for incoming students, taken about a month apart.

Assessment 1

Objective Tests

There will be three tests, each taking ten minutes: the first testing their ability with words, the second their ability with numbers and the third their ability with practical problems. There is no preparation necessary. All tests are explained fully and some examples are done first before the pupils start on the timed test. Pupils are not expected to get all of the questions finished in the time given.

Advice for parents: The only thing that the pupil needs to be told is to listen carefully to the instructions given by the supervisor and to ask a question if they are not sure of the instructions. Instructions are also given at the bottom of each page of the test booklet.

Reading Ability Tests

This takes about twenty minutes. Pupils are measured on a number of scales of reading ability. Full instructions are given at the beginning and at each stage of the tests. No prior preparation is necessary.

Assessment 2

There is an assessment in English, Irish and Mathematics based on the sixth class syllabus in each of these subjects.