Opting out of NI transfer test?

[Strongamericanonosugar]

Has anyone not entered their child or the transfer test/SEAG?
What have been your experiences of your child’s learning whilst the majority of the class focus on the prep?
I’m not sure my eldest is up to doing the exam nor suited to a grammar school, but as 90% of the class will be doing it I am concerned it would leave them off to the side and potentially miss out on important learning for post-primary.

It really depends on the school. Some schools really support the exam and do a lot of prep and maybe lose focus on kids not doing the exam. Others take no heed of the exam and there is no difference in the teaching. If your primary falls into the first category I would let him do the prep but not make him sit the exam if you have no interest in him going to a Grammar. I would discuss with your son what does he want to do? That’s really how I operated with my son.

Thanks @Mamabear999 , in this school the class seems to focus solely on the prep with those not doing it being given ‘alternative work’. With such small numbers in the class who would not be doing it, I would be concerned about what they would set as this work- I have heard it can be pretty basic stuff that requires minimal supervision. I know my son will automatically say he doesn’t want to do the exams, so I was thinking I will go along with sitting it until the point we need to commit. The nearest non-selective school is great, within walking distance and he has said he is keen to go there, so no issues with him going there. Some have suggested to sit it and he could probably find a grammar place at the less oversubscribed schools, but I’m not sure the ‘any grammar is better than non-grammar’ approach is best either.