The punctuation, grammar and spelling sections of the SEAG tests can make your head spin. These three short sections at the beginning of the test papers look nice and easy but don’t let the nice formatting and shortness of these exercises fool you. Oh no, these sections of the test can be sneaky and deadly! That is unless you have me to help you prepare for these sections. And then they will be a breeze! Just kidding, they aren’t THAT bad, I will tone down the dramatics from now on, I promise! In this blog post, I am going to take you through the spelling, grammar and punctuation sections of the SEAG transfer tests. I will tell you what to be on the lookout for and what little sneaky errors can make an appearance! So let’s get started on all things spelling, grammar and punctuation!

If you would like to follow along with this blog post, you can download my FREE SEAG style sample paper here. This SEAG transfer test papers free version, has a spelling and punctuation section which you can use alongside this blog post and tutorials to help your child fully understand and grasp these sections of the test. If you would like a complete guide to the SEAG transfer test, you can grab a copy of my book, ‘A Complete Guide on How to Empower and Prepare your Child for the SEAG Transfer Test,’ here!

To kick start your child's SEAG tests preparation, grab your free sample paper here!

Section 1: Punctuation

Section 1 of the SEAG tests is the punctuation section where students are required to spot any punctuation errors.

What is the punctuation section of the SEAG tests?

The punctuation section of the SEAG transfer test papers is where your child will demonstrate their understanding of all the punctuation marks and also capital letters. Your child will have to read the story or sentences and try to spot any missing or incorrect punctuation marks or capital letters. Each sentence or piece of text is separated into columns labelled A, B, C and D. The punctuation error will either be in one of these lettered columns or there will be no mistake. For example, if the punctuation mistake is in column B, your child will need to make B on their answer sheet. If there is no mistake your child will be required to mark the letter N on their answer sheet.

With the punctuation sections of the SEAG tests, your child will read the sentences and spot any missing or punctuation errors. There will either be one mistake or no mistake.

What punctuation errors do we need to be on the lookout for?

When completing this section of the SEAG exam, your child needs to be on the lookout for all of the punctuation marks that they use in their writing tasks. The punctuation error will either involve the punctuation mark being missing completely or the wrong punctuation has been used. This includes commas, apostrophes, exclamation marks, question marks, inverted commas/speech marks, brackets and hyphens. The punctuation section also includes capital letters which can either be in the wrong place or missing.

What punctuation marks are included?

Here is a brief overview of the punctuation marks that can be included in the punctuation section of the SEAG entrance exam and what they are used for.

Commas – are used to make sentences clearer to read by separating words or phrases. Commas are also used to introduce speech or separate items in a list.

Apostrophes – are used to show ownership of something, to show plural possession and used for the omission of letters and in contractions.

Exclamation Marks – used to show emphasis at the end of text. For example, to show emotions such as anger, joy or shock.

Question Marks – used to show that someone is asking a question.

Inverted Commas/Speech Marks – used to show when someone is speaking.

Brackets – are used to show explanations, corrections or comments from quoted text.

Hyphens – are used to join two words or parts of words. They can be used to create compound adjectives or when using informal phrases.

Capital Letters – used at the beginning of sentences, speech and for proper nouns. (The proper name of a person, place or thing).

How to prepare for the punctuation section of the tests?

To be fully prepared for the punctuation sections of the transfer tests, I recommend keeping a checklist of all of the punctuation marks I have listed above. Continue to revise over each of these punctuation marks to ensure they are fresh in your child’s mind. You can play punctuation games or complete additional worksheets on each of the topics. Once your child is confident with each punctuation mark, continue to complete small tasks for each of the punctuation marks. This will help make sure they don’t forget about them! Completing tasks with your child where they need to spot punctuation mistakes is also crucial for preparing for this section of the tests. You can check out my SEAG punctuation preparation worksheets here!

The best ways to prepare for the punctuation section of the SEAG tests is to continue to revise over each of the punctuation topics, play punctuation games, punctuation worksheets and completing tasks where your child needs to spot punctuation mistakes.

Section 2: Grammar

Section 2 of the SEAG tests is the grammar section.

What is the grammar section of the transfer test?

In my opinion, the grammar section is the easiest out of the three sections. In this section of the SEAG tests NI, your child will be required to select the most appropriate word or phrase to make the sentence or piece of text grammatically correct. There will be a sentence with a selection of words or phrases placed at the beginning, middle or end of the sentence. These words or phrases will be in columns labelled A, B, C, D and E. One of these options will be the correct answer. Your child will not be required to select N on their answer sheet. One of the answer options in the grammar will also be correct.

In the grammar section of the SEAG tests, your child will have to select the most appropriate word or phrase to make the sentence grammatically correct.

What topics does the grammar section include?

The topics in the grammar section of the transfer tests can be anything really. The goal of this exercise is to determine if your child can read and select the words or phrases that will make the sentence or piece of text grammatically correct and written in correct English. This can involve sentences being written in the past, present or future tense, selecting the correct conjunction, prefix, suffix, plural spelling, pronouns or determiners.

The types of grammar included in the SEAG tests is past, present and future tense, conjunctions, prefixes, suffixes, plural spelling, pronouns and determiners.

What types of grammar are included?

Here are some of the ways that grammar has been included in the grammar section of the SEAG tests Northern Ireland and what they are used for. There are other ways that grammar can appear in the tests. Just remind your child that the sentences in this section need to sound right when they read them and written in the correct English.

Past, Present or Future Tense – students are given a sentence in one of the three tenses. They must select the correct word or phrase that is suitable for the tense of the sentence.

Conjunctions – select the correct conjunction to join the words/phrases. Examples of conjunctions are ‘and,’ ‘but,’ ‘if.’

Prefixes – letters placed at the beginning of a word to change its meaning. For example, the prefix ‘mis’ can be placed in front of the word ‘heard’ to create ‘misheard.’

Suffixes – letters placed at the end of a word to change its meaning. For example, the suffix ‘ness’ can be placed at the end of the word ‘kind’ to create ‘kindness.’

Plural Spelling – students are given a sentence with a plural noun missing. They must select the correct spelling of the plural word.

Pronouns – used to replace a noun. For example, he, she, they, it, those and them.

Determiners – a word placed before a noun to provide extra information. For example, ‘a,’ ‘an,’ ‘the,’ ‘my’ or ‘those.’

How to prepare for the grammar section of the SEAG tests?

Just like with the punctuation section of the SEAG transfer tests, the best way to prepare for the grammar section is to consistently revise over these topics. Ensure your child can confidently recognise and implement these grammatical concepts. I also recommend completing some extra reading at home. This will help your child become familiar with grammatical concepts and writing that is in the correct English. (Well most of the time! It depends what books they like to read!) Try to complete activities that mirror this grammar section of the SEAG transfer tests. I wonder where you could find some of those? Oh wait, I have some here for you! These revision sheets include sections similar to the grammar sections from the SEAG tests.

Ways to prepare for the SEAG tests are to revise over the grammar topics regularly, extra reading at home, grammar worksheets and completing SEAG style grammar activities.

Section 3: Spelling

Section 3 of the SEAG tests is spelling errors section.

What is the spelling section of the transfer test?

The spelling section of the SEAG exam papers is where your child will show off their super proofreading skills! They will be required to identify any words that are spelled incorrectly. Your child will read the sentences or piece of text to try and find any spelling errors. Just like the punctuation section, each sentence or piece of text is separated into columns labelled from A to D. The spelling error will either be in one of these columns or there will be no spelling mistake.

The spelling section of the SEAG tests is where your child will be required to find any spelling errors.

What spelling errors do we need to be on the lookout for?

A word of warning…this is the section where the test creators like to be extra sneaky! There are a few ways that the spelling errors can make an appearance in this section of the test. These include words that are totally spelt wrong, you cannot miss them, they just look completely incorrect. The error can also be made using homophones, letters in the wrong order, words that have missing or extra letters or the American spelling of some words can be used.

The spelling errors included in the SEAG tests is words that are completely spelt wrong, homophones, letters in the wrong order, missing or extra letters or the American spelling of words.

What spelling errors are included?

Use this overview of the spelling errors that can be included in the spelling section of the SEAG tests to teach your child what they are used for. These topics are taken from the SEAG transfer test curriculum.

Completely Spelt Wrong – these are the words that you know aren’t correct when you look at them. For example, twoday or wator.

Homophones – these words sound correct but they are the wrong version of the word. They sound the same but have different meanings. These mistakes can be tricky to spot as they sound correct when your child is reading them! For example, which and witch.

Letters in the Wrong Order – these spelling mistakes will have two letters in the wrong order. For example, recieve.

Missing or Extra Letters – these spelling errors will have letters missing or extra letters in the word. For example, swiming or finaly.

American Spelling – another sneaky mistake that can be tricky to spot, is when the American spelling of words are used. These can be difficult for students to identify right away. Chances are they have used some American created worksheets in school so they have come across the spelling before. For example, color, favorite and meters.

How to prepare for the spelling section of the tests?

Just like with the punctuation and grammar sections of the tests, it is important to revise over each of the topics listed above. Being able to confidently complete tasks using homophones and the different spelling rules will help your child find any errors when completing this section of the test. Try and do some extra reading and spellings at home can help to expand your child’s vocabulary. Resulting in them being more likely to identify any spelling errors in pieces of text.

Completing tasks with your child where they need to spot spelling mistakes is also crucial for preparing for this section of the tests. Don’t forget you can check out my SEAG punctuation preparation worksheets here! My students absolutely love these worksheets as they are doing small bits of each spelling, grammar and punctuation topics. Use revision sheets like these alongside SEAG transfer test practice papers to fully prepare your child for these sections of the SEAG tests.

Ways to prepare for the spelling section of the SEAG tests is to ensure your child can confidently recognise spelling errors, can recognise homophones, complete extra reading and spellings at home and complete activities where your child must find spelling mistakes.

More Information on spelling, grammar and punctuation sections of the SEAG tests

What is the SEAG Northern Ireland transfer test?

How are English skills assessed in the SEAG Transfer Test?

How to correct common spelling errors

Grammar & punctuation at primary school

Transfer test preparation can be stressful, frustrating and make you want to pull your hair out at times! Remember, take things one step at a time. If you or your child begins to get stressed or overwhelmed during revision or homework sessions, it’s ok to take a break! Go for a walk, grab a nice snack or just sit down and watch an episode of your favourite shows together. The brain won’t learn if it’s in distress or upset mode. Sometimes it’s worth it to take a step back and try again tomorrow. Consistent revision and practice of the spelling, grammar and punctuation topics can help your child feel cool, calm and confident during these sections of the SEAG tests.