I am so excited to introduce my SEAG Preparation Pathway by Kerry Grogan Tutoring. I created this SEAG Preparation Pathway because this time of year brings plenty of discussions about SEAG prep, exams and grammar schools! For many families, the biggest question isn’t whether to start preparation, it’s how to begin without overwhelming their child.
Over the years of working with Primary 6 and Primary 7 pupils, I’ve seen that the most successful preparation rarely starts with full practice papers or strict test conditions. Instead, it develops gradually, with each stage building confidence, familiarity and skill.
This is why I created The SEAG Preparation Pathway by Kerry Grogan Tutoring.
The pathway breaks SEAG preparation into five clear stages, guiding children from building strong foundations all the way through to SEAG exam readiness. Each stage builds steadily on the one before it, helping families approach preparation calmly and strategically.
Most importantly, every child moves along this pathway at their own pace, and that is completely normal.
SEAG Practice Paper and Preparation Roadmap
If you’d like help starting this journey, I’ve created a FREE SEAG Practice Paper and Preparation Roadmap for Primary 6 families.
It will help you:
✔ Introduce your child to SEAG-style questions
✔ Understand the preparation stages
✔ Begin the process calmly and confidently
The SEAG Preparation Pathway by Kerry Grogan Tutoring
The pathway below shows the five stages most pupils move through during SEAG preparation. Understanding these stages can help parents introduce preparation in a calm and structured way, rather than rushing straight into full practice papers. Let’s take a closer look at each stage.
Stage 1: Foundations
The first stage of SEAG preparation focuses on building strong foundations. At this point, students are not sitting full practice papers yet. Instead, the focus is on strengthening the key skills that underpin success in the tests.
This includes developing:
- Core maths skills
- Reading fluency
- Vocabulary and comprehension
- Spelling, punctuation and grammar
When these foundations are secure, children approach the next stages with far greater confidence.
Stage 2: Question Familiarity
Once the basics are developing well, students begin exploring the types of questions that appear in SEAG papers.
The goal here is familiarity, not pressure.
Students learn:
- How questions are structured
- How multiple-choice answers work
- How the answer sheet is completed
At this stage, practice is gentle and guided so that questions feel comfortable rather than intimidating.
Stage 3: Timed Skill Building
Once students feel comfortable with the question styles, preparation begins to include gentle timed practice.
This helps develop:
- Concentration
- Pacing
- Problem-solving under light time pressure
Students gradually learn how to manage time calmly and confidently without feeling rushed.
Stage 4: Full Practice Papers
At this stage, pupils begin completing full SEAG transfer test practice papers. These help build exam stamina and refine exam technique.
Students learn how to:
- Approach the paper in a steady and organised way
- Apply their skills across a full test
- Reflect on mistakes and improve strategies
By this stage, children are usually much more confident with the format of the test.
Stage 5: Exam Readiness
The final stage focuses on consistency and confidence. Students practise applying their skills in realistic test conditions while continuing to review weaker topics.
Preparation now centres around:
- Confidence in their ability
- Calm time management
- Consistent performance across papers
The goal is simple: pupils walk into the test feeling prepared, capable and calm.
More information on The SEAG Preparation Pathway
7 easy ways to kickstart your child’s SEAG transfer test preparation
A tutor’s guide on how to structure SEAG prep from the beginning
SEAG Practice Papers – How to Get the Most Out of Them
Balancing SEAG Transfer Test Revision with School and Family Life
The aim is for pupils to approach test day feeling prepared and capable. One of the biggest misconceptions about SEAG preparation is that children need to rush straight into full practice papers. In reality, strong preparation happens step-by-step. Each stage builds steadily on the one before it, helping children develop confidence, familiarity and skill. And remember, every child moves through these stages at their own pace.
Don’t forget to grab your FREE practice paper and SEAG preparation roadmap here!
