Have you been wondering about your child’s SEAG preparation this back-to-school season? September has a funny way of creeping up on us. SEAG preparation may not have even started yet! One minute you’re buying sun cream and promising “we’ll start that stack of practice papers soon,” and the next…BAM! School bags are packed, alarm clocks are set, and the SEAG tests are just around the corner. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, you’re not alone. This is the time when the pressure starts to ramp up, for yourself and your child! There’s a temptation to do all the things at once, mock tests, revision timetables, and past papers. But deep breath, you don’t need to do it all before the first day of school. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through what’s actually worth focusing on this September and what you can let go of, with zero guilt. Let’s ditch the overwhelm and get smart about SEAG prep.
If you really want to give your child an edge before going back to school, book them onto one of my SEAG mock test days! This will definitely get your child back into formal testing mode and their brains back into gear! Spots fill up fast, so if you’re even thinking about it…Now’s the time to book. Click here to reserve your child’s mock test space now!
What to Focus On This September
September can feel like the beginning of the end, or the end of the beginning, depending on your stress levels. But with a little clarity and focus, it doesn’t have to be chaos. SEAG preparation in September is about building momentum, not burning out. I am going to give you the most important areas to focus on this September for your child’s transfer test preparation! Remember, we are nearly at the finish line, and the time until the real test days will absolutely fly by! Here is a list of the things that are worth focusing your energy on right now.
1. Strengthening Key Skills (Don’t Panic, Revise Everything)
My first SEAG preparation tip is to focus on the areas your child still finds tricky. Whether it’s fractions, problem solving, punctuation, or that one comprehension question they always rush through, this is the time to tackle it with care. You don’t need to cover the entire SEAG test Northern Ireland Curriculum every week until November! Look through your child’s past SEAG practice papers and note down some areas that they need to revise. This way, you are targeting their revision to areas that they regularly struggle with, rather than a revision free-for-all every week!
2. Practising Under Test Conditions
If you haven’t already, start introducing timed tasks, but keep it low-stress. A few timed questions here and there, then build up to full practice papers with the real SEAG timings, which is one hour. Up until this point, if you have been breaking the test papers up to make it less stressful or overwhelming for your child, that is completely fine. However, now is the time to get them practising full papers in the SEAG time limit. If they don’t get it finished, no problem! But just get them used to what an hour actually feels like.
The goal is to help your child get used to time pressure without the tears. And if you really want to give them the edge? A mock test under real exam conditions is invaluable. I’m running a limited number of SEAG entrance assessment mock test events in September, which are designed to help your child experience the format, the pressure, and the environment before the real thing. You can book them onto one of my September Mock Tests by clicking here!
3. Confidence-Boosting Activities
Let’s be honest, by this stage in SEAG prep, some students are starting to feel the pressure. A few wobbly practice scores, a tricky comprehension here and there, and suddenly their confidence can take a nosedive. That’s why September is the perfect time to remind them of what they can do. Build in activities that help them feel successful and proud. This could be revisiting topics they’ve already mastered, doing short question bursts where they’re likely to score well, or even just giving praise when they self-correct a mistake. These little wins add up to a big mindset shift.
Some things that you can do at home to give your child a September confidence boost are:
Create a “confidence folder”
This folder will have all of your child’s best work and test scores. This is great for showing progress and helping boost spirits after a lower test score.
Have some goal-setting sessions
Make a cup of tea, some hot chocolate and your favourite biscuits, and just have a wee chat. Ask your child what they would like to improve on or practise. Don’t choose a million things at once. Tell your child, “Let’s focus on improving this one thing this week!”
Talk about past successes
This one is perfect for lifting spirits and boosting confidence. Remind your child of topics they used to struggle with that are now easy peasy for them. Talk about where they started and how far they have come. You know how great this feels as an adult when someone reminds you of how well you are doing or how far you’ve come, so imagine what that will feel like for your 10 or 11-year-old.
Remember, your child doesn’t need to be perfect in every area right now. What they do need is to feel capable, supported, and seen. Confidence walking into that exam hall can sometimes matter just as much as completing all the practice papers in the world.
4. Creating a Manageable Weekly Routine
The next tip is essential for SEAG preparation in September. September isn’t the time for daily test papers and colour-coded revision marathons. What your child needs is a consistent, doable routine that doesn’t suck the joy out of their week. Aim for 2–3 short sessions across the week (30-45 minutes each is plenty!). One might focus on comprehension, another on Maths, and maybe one light paper practice at the weekend. Slot it around family life, not the other way around. This helps keep things ticking over without burnout, and builds good habits that’ll carry right through to November.
5. Checking In, Not Just Checking Work
It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day: “Did you do your revision?” “Where’s your latest test paper?” “Why did you get that comprehension answer wrong, you know that one!?” But in the middle of all that, don’t forget to check in with how they’re feeling. Ask your child, “What topics are you finding difficult right now?” or “Is there anything that’s stressing you out about the test?” You might be surprised by what comes up, and those little chats can be far more valuable than correcting a few missed marks.
Even just five minutes of conversation can help your child feel heard, supported, and less alone in the process. And when they know you’re in their corner emotionally, not just academically, it can make all the difference.
What to Let Go Of (With Zero Guilt)
September can trick you into thinking you’ve got to do everything at once, but truthfully? That’s a fast track to burnout for you and your child. So here are a few things you absolutely, 100% have permission to let go of this September! I can almost hear you breathing a sigh of relief!
1. Trying to Finish Every Single Practice Paper Right Now
You do not need to complete the entire stash of SEAG practise papers this month. It’s tempting to power through them all in a panic, but that approach often leads to burnout, frustration, and rushed work that doesn’t stick. Instead, slow it down. Pick papers with a purpose. Focus on one area at a time and use mistakes as learning opportunities. Break longer papers into smaller sections if needed. Remember, it’s not about ticking boxes, it’s about building understanding and confidence, one step at a time.
2. Comparing Your Child’s Progress to Others
This is a big one, and it’s something every parent does at some point. You hear a friend say their child is flying through practice papers, or someone on Facebook posts a picture of their colour-coded revision schedule, and suddenly you’re wondering if you’re doing enough…or worse, if your child is falling behind. But here’s the truth: comparison helps no one. Every child has different strengths, different starting points, and different learning speeds. Just because another child is scoring 100% in Maths doesn’t mean yours is failing. And just because they’ve only just started timed practice doesn’t mean they’re too late.
Focus on your child’s growth. Celebrate their progress. And if you ever need reassurance, remind yourself that the loudest voices are rarely the full story. Stay focused on what works for your family, and tune out the rest.
3. Over-scheduling Their Week
If your child is doing homework, tutoring, SEAG revision, and still squeezing in violin lessons, football and Irish dancing all before Thursday…something’s gotta give. Protect downtime. Brains need rest to perform well. A few activities might have to be postponed until after the tests. It doesn’t have to be everything that your child loves to do, but downtime, rest and relaxation are a must leading up to the real tests.
4. Aiming for Perfection
It’s normal to want your child to do their best, but there’s a big difference between aiming for progress and chasing perfection. Perfect scores aren’t the goal here; growth is. Mistakes are part of learning. Struggling with a tricky question doesn’t mean they’re not ready; it means they’re right where they need to be. So if their results aren’t flawless right now, good! That gives you something to work on together. Focus on improvement over perfection, and you’ll help your child feel more confident, not more pressured. Because the real win? A child who keeps trying, even when it’s hard. That’s what will carry them through the SEAG test and beyond.
5. Putting Pressure on Yourself to Get It All Right
Here’s your permission slip to be human during the WHOLE school year, not just during transfer test prep! Remember, you are a parent and you’re doing an amazing job! There will be days you forget things. There will be evenings where dinner is toast and the homework doesn’t get checked. That doesn’t make you a bad parent. It makes you human. Your child needs a calm, supportive home more than they need perfection. So be kind to yourself, you’re showing up, and that’s more than enough.
More information on SEAG preparation
SEAG transfer test Northern Ireland : 6 activities to help your child thrive the week between papers
SEAG Tests : How to prepare for the spelling, grammar and punctuation sections
How to Prepare for the SEAG Transfer Tests
How to be your own child’s Transfer Test Tutor
Look, there’s no sugar-coating it, SEAG prep in September can feel like juggling flaming SEAG test papers while trying to remember where your child’s pencil case went. But you’re not alone in this, and more importantly? You don’t need to do it all. Focus on what matters. Let go of the guilt. Trust your instincts. You know your child better than anyone, and with a little routine, a sprinkle of confidence, and a whole lot of support, they’ll get through this, and so will you. And hey, if you ever need a reminder that you’re smashing it (even if it doesn’t feel like it), just come back to this post, pop the kettle on, and take a deep breath. You’re doing brilliantly. If you found this helpful, why not share it with another SEAG parent who needs a boost? Let’s conquer SEAG preparation in September together!
