This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/foyle_and_west/7738114.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
A P7's view of the final 11 plus A P7's view of the final 11-plus
(about 9 hours later)
By Freya McClements BBC News Tony Harkin, Peter Gallagher, Daniel Roddy, Katelin Devine and Jenny Gray sit the test on FridayBy Freya McClements BBC News Tony Harkin, Peter Gallagher, Daniel Roddy, Katelin Devine and Jenny Gray sit the test on Friday
They have spent almost a year preparing for it, but by lunchtime on Friday it will all be over. They have spent almost a year preparing for it, but by midday on Friday it will all be over.
Thousands of pupils from across Northern Ireland will sit the final 11-plus paper on Friday.Thousands of pupils from across Northern Ireland will sit the final 11-plus paper on Friday.
While there is still uncertainty over what will replace the controversial test, one thing is clear - it won't be the same as this year. While there is still uncertainty over what will replace the controversial test, one thing is clear - it will not be the same as this year.
The primary sevens at St Patrick's Primary School in Pennyburn, Derry, have all been working hard in the run up to the test.The primary sevens at St Patrick's Primary School in Pennyburn, Derry, have all been working hard in the run up to the test.
P7 pupil Peter Gallagher said he hasn't found the preparation too difficult. P7 pupil Peter Gallagher said he had not found the preparation too difficult.
"I've found it OK, but some other children have found it really hard. "I've found it OK, but some other children have found it really hard," he said.
"I think it's a fair way to decide what school you're going to go to, and I think people that are working hardest deserve to get their choice of school to go to."I think it's a fair way to decide what school you're going to go to, and I think people that are working hardest deserve to get their choice of school to go to.
"Grammar schools are a good place to be because they give you good lessons," he said. "Grammar schools are a good place to be because they give you good lessons."
It doesn't matter what grade you get, you just have to believe you'll do well in life Katelin DevineIt doesn't matter what grade you get, you just have to believe you'll do well in life Katelin Devine
His classmate Daniel Roddy also wants to go to a grammar school.His classmate Daniel Roddy also wants to go to a grammar school.
"It's been tough preparing for the exam, but once you get over it you feel like you've done well and you've given it your best shot. "It's been tough preparing for the exam, but once you get over it you feel like you've done well and you've given it your best shot," he said.
"I think I would say it's a fair test."I think I would say it's a fair test.
"It's been going on for so many years everyone knows what it's about and how it's marked," he said."It's been going on for so many years everyone knows what it's about and how it's marked," he said.
Tony Harkin disagrees. He said he can't wait to get the test over with. Tony Harkin disagrees. He said he could not wait to get the test over with.
"It's very hard. "It's very hard," he said.
"I think it should be kept on because it's not fair on us having to do it and other children not having to do it," he said. "I think it should be kept on because it's not fair on us having to do it and other children not having to do it."
The principal of St Patrick's, Martin Coyle, says the 11 plus is stressful for children The principal of St Patrick's, Martin Coyle, says the 11-plus is stressful for children
Katelin Devine said she also found preparing for the test difficult.Katelin Devine said she also found preparing for the test difficult.
"We're only 10 or 11 and it's just so much pressure," she said."We're only 10 or 11 and it's just so much pressure," she said.
"I don't think it should go on."I don't think it should go on.
"It's bad enough that we're put under pressure but to put the P6s under pressure as well, I just don't think it's right.""It's bad enough that we're put under pressure but to put the P6s under pressure as well, I just don't think it's right."
But Katelin said she wasn't worried about taking the exam. But Katelin said she was not worried about taking the exam.
"It's just another test. "It's just another test. It's not going to affect our future in any way," she said.
"It's not going to affect our future in any way. "It doesn't matter what grade you get in your 11-plus, you just have to believe you'll do well in life."
"It doesn't matter what grade you get in your 11 plus, you just have to believe you'll do well in life," said Katelin. Her friend Jenny Gray said she thought the 11-plus was a great way to choose your school.
But her friend Jenny Gray said she thought the 11 plus was a great way to choose your school. "I want to go to Lumen Christi - it's a grammar school. It's been very hard work to try and get a grade A, but it will be worth it.
"I want to go to Lumen Christi - it's a grammar school.
"It's been very hard work to try and get a grade A, but it will be worth it.
"I'm not that confident I'm going to get an A but I'm going to do my best.""I'm not that confident I'm going to get an A but I'm going to do my best."
Click here for more stories from the BBC's new Foyle and West serviceClick here for more stories from the BBC's new Foyle and West service
Their principal at St Patrick's, Martin Coyle, said many of his pupils preferred the certainty of the 11 plus to the uncertainty surrounding the transfer of this year's P6s. Their principal at St Patrick's, Martin Coyle, said many of his pupils preferred the certainty of the 11-plus to the uncertainty surrounding the transfer of this year's P6s.
"Some of our P7s are almost glad they're not waiting and wondering what will happen to them. "Some of our P7s are almost glad they're not waiting and wondering what will happen to them," he said.
"They know what they have to tackle, and there's a relief in that."They know what they have to tackle, and there's a relief in that.
"Of course, others do wish they didn't have to do it," he said. "Of course, others do wish they didn't have to do it."
Mr Coyle said he was glad to see the end of the transfer test.Mr Coyle said he was glad to see the end of the transfer test.
"I've never been a fan of the 11 plus. "I've never been a fan of the 11-plus.
"There's no way I can describe the stress and the worry that comes into homes when a child is doing the 11 plus. "There's no way I can describe the stress and the worry that comes into homes when a child is doing the 11-plus.
"It's non-inclusive, it's highly competitive, and therefore it's divisive," he said."It's non-inclusive, it's highly competitive, and therefore it's divisive," he said.