National curriculum assessments: key stage 2 tests
Guidance for headteachers, teachers and test administrators involved in administering the key stage 2 (KS2) national curriculum tests.
Use the information on this page to:
- check important dates for the KS2 test cycle
- understand your statutory requirements for the KS2 tests
- administer the tests, including details on the format, equipment and assistance you must use for each test
- use appropriate access arrangements
- keep test materials secure
- return test scripts for marking
- access and review your school’s test results
We also produced a video with our top tips to help schools prepare for KS2 test week in 2025:
In addition to the guidance on this page, schools will:
- receive printed copies of the test administration instructions with the test materials - these are not available on GOV.UK because they contain live test material
- be able to check their performance measures data, and request any necessary amendments to this data, in the KS2 September checking exercise on the Department for Education’s Check Your Performance Measures Data (CYPMD) portal
Key stage 2 assessment and reporting arrangements
Access arrangements
Test administration
Maladministration
Results
Updates to this page
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Added a video with top tips to help schools prepare for key stage 2 test week in 2025
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Added the key stage 2 assessment and reporting arrangements (ARA) for the academic year 2024 to 2025
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Added: 2024 key stage 2: assessment and reporting arrangements (ARA)
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Banner removed from page - collection has been updated to include: 2023 assessment and reporting arrangements; Primary assessments: future dates; 2022 scaled scores at KS2.
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2017 scaled score guidance added.
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Addition of 2017 assessment and reporting arrangements (ARA) and planner.
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First published.