MICHELLE O'Neill has said that she aims to thwart plans to hold a rescheduled post-primary transfer test at the end of February.
The deputy first minister was speaking after private company AQE said it planned to stage a single exam on Saturday February 27, provided it meets public health guidelines.
PPTC, the corresponding company that runs tests for the Catholic maintained sector, last night said it had nothing to add to its earlier statement announcing it would not be proceeding with this year's test.
Both companies announced yesterday morning that they would not be going ahead with the tests, with PPTC saying that it "will not provide an entrance assessment for 2020-21". AQE later issued a second statement that included its revised date.
It came as Education Minister Peter Weir said schools would remain closed until the middle of next month.
Ms O'Neill was last night reported to have said that she plans to call a vote at tomorrow's executive meeting in a bid to block the AQE test.
On Twitter the Sinn Féin deputy leader said: "Shame on AQE for proceeding with this transfer test.
"They told children this morning there would be no test and then this evening they say there will be a test."
The deputy first minister was speaking after the executive met to discuss tightening coronavirus restrictions as cases continued to rise.
The Department of Health yesterday confirmed a further 18 deaths, with 11 occurring in the previous 24 hours and seven in the last week.
Another 1,378 people have tested positive, bringing the total number to 12,487 over the past week
Details of what fresh measures agreed by the executive are expected to be officially announced when the Stormont assembly sits today at noon.
It is expected that stay-at-home advice is to be put into legislation from midnight on Thursday, with additional powers being given to the PSNI to enforce the measures.
Household mixing will be reduced to just one person from another household or social bubble.
Ms O'Neill said the decision was a reflection "on how serious the situation is" with the pandemic.
Mr Weir last night confirmed that pre-schools, primary and post-primary schools will remain closed and be required to provide remote learning for pupils until next month's half term break.
He said exams, thought to include GCSEs scheduled to take place over the coming days, should go ahead as planned if at all possible
Special schools will remain open as usual, while direct payments will be made to families whose children are entitled to free school meals;
"Any disruption to schooling for a significant period of time will have a devastating impact on children’s educational opportunities and future prospects, as well as being damaging to their mental health and well-being," the minister said.
