Unregulated 11-plus tests, run by private companies, and which determine 40 per cent of first year places, are delayed again.
Despite the department and minister having no role, academic selection has a hold on them.
I shared some thoughts on this in May, which I'll reiterate.
On its own, a January date appears rational as there will be two more months for children to prepare.
There are a few issues that make it a challenge, however.
Holding exams right after Christmas will see anxiety levels among children and parents soar.
I heard the word "ruined" a lot yesterday with one parent, perhaps jokingly but I never can tell, suggesting that Santa will be leaving practice papers under the tree.
As disruptive as it might be to families over the festive season, that alone does not make the change challenging.
Shaking up the entire transfer process to accommodate 34 out of 193 post-primary schools makes it both challenging and peculiar.
Even Peter Weir recognised in May that he could not allow a January exam series when doing so would mean turmoil for the wider system.
Parents usually complete transfer forms in February and children find out their `big school' by May.
Those unplaced then have a few months to look about and find a school, long before the new term.
Pushing assessments into January knocks the entire process back for everyone, including the thousands of pupils who sit zero exams.
And it also means a significant number of unplaced children might still be sitting at home deep into the new academic year.
Those were Mr Weir's own concerns in May, but he now thinks it is doable.
The AQE tests will take place on January 9, 16 and 23 with the `GL' exams on January 30.
It is hoped that results will be out by early March, barring any unforeseen circumstance.
