Key stage 2 tests: applying for a review of pupils’ test results
Information about applying for a review of marking for key stage 2 national curriculum tests, sometimes referred to as SATs.
Schools can make review applications using the ‘View and download KS2 test results’ form in the ‘Available activity’ section of the Primary Assessment Gateway (PAG). The form will be available from 07:30am on Tuesday 9 July until 11:59pm on Friday 19 July 2024.
A marking review is successful and free of charge to the school if it results in:
- a change to a pupil’s status from not achieving the expected standard to achieving the expected standard
- a change to the pupil’s status from the pupil meeting the expected standard to not meeting the expected standard
- 2 or more marks being added to or subtracted from the raw score
- a correction of a code due to supplier error
A raw score to scaled score calculator will be available within the ‘View and download KS2 test results’ form on the PAG. Schools can use it to calculate what effect a change to the total raw score might have on the scaled score awarded. This can help when deciding whether to apply for a review. Test materials and mark schemes are available in the collection of national curriculum assessments practice materials.
A clerical review is successful and free of change to the school if it results in:
- a correction of a test marked on paper, such as correcting any errors in the addition of the marks
- matching a test script previously matched to an incorrect pupil to the correct pupil
- a correction of a code on the attendance register
We will only accept review applications made by schools where the application has been authorised by the headteacher or a delegated senior member of staff. We will not accept applications from pupils, parents or governors.
Types of review
Marking review query
Schools can apply for a marking review for as many pupils as required if they consider there is a discrepancy between how the questions have been marked and the published mark scheme. We recommend that schools only submit a review application if the criteria for a successful review is met.
Marking reviews can only be completed where a pupil has received a result for a paper. Where pupils have compensatory marks for the English grammar, punctuation and spelling Paper 2, schools can still apply for a review for English grammar, punctuation and spelling Paper 1.
If a pupil’s test script is lost by our suppliers for English grammar, punctuation and spelling or mathematics, schools can still apply for a review for the remaining pupils’ test scripts for that subject - for example, if a pupil’s mathematics Paper 1 is lost, you can still request a review for the pupil’s mathematics Papers 2 and 3.
Schools should be aware that, as a result of a marking review, a pupil’s raw score and scaled score could go up or down.
Clerical review query
Schools can apply for a clerical review if:
- a test marked on paper has an error, such as an incorrect addition of the marks awarded
- a test script has been matched to the wrong pupil
- there is an error on the school attendance register - for example, an attendance code needs to be corrected
Changes to attendance registers can only be made where there is a genuine error - for example, if a pupil has taken a test and their script has been sent for marking, their school cannot request that the attendance register is changed to indicate that the pupil was working below the standard of the test (marked as B).
Schools should be aware that, as a result of a clerical review, a pupil’s raw score and scaled score could go up or down.
Charges
The table below sets out the charges for a review if it does not meet the successful criteria outlined above:
| Type of review | When charges would apply | Cost per pupil, per subject |
|---|---|---|
| Marking review | The review does not result in a change to the pupil achieving the expected standard, the pupil not meeting the expected standard, or a total raw score change by fewer than 2 marks | £9 |
| Clerical review | The review does not correct a test script matched to the wrong pupil or produces no change to the raw score or scaled score, or the assigned code for why the pupil has not taken the test | £5 |
Where charges apply, our supplier Capita will invoice your school through the ‘Outstanding activity’ section on the PAG once the review process is complete. Your school’s account manager will receive an email notification when your review invoice is available.
Applying for a review
Schools should read this guidance in full before requesting a marking or clerical review on the PAG.
Schools can request a review by using the ‘View and download KS2 test results’ form in the ‘Available activity’ section and selecting the test subject. Reviews must be submitted for each pupil and each subject individually. To do this, use the ‘Request’ button in the review column next to the relevant pupil’s outcome.
On the application form, schools must select whether the request is for a clerical or marking review.
For a clerical review, schools must:
- select a reason from the drop-down list
- provide more information about the reason for the request
- provide up to 2 alternate contacts for any application queries during the summer holidays
- select ‘Submit’
For a marking review, schools must:
- provide more information, which must include the reason for the review for each paper / question - please use the following format to enable the review marker to understand and respond to your concerns: ‘Paper (insert which paper) / Question (insert question number) – (insert comment)’
- provide up to 2 alternate contacts for any application queries during the summer holidays
- select ‘Submit’
Schools cannot apply for a marking or clerical review if the school:
- believes the pupil has provided an acceptable response, but that response is not within the published mark scheme
- does not submit the request during the published 10-day window
The PAG generates an automated email confirming that the review application has been submitted and can be amended up to the deadline of 11:59pm on Friday 19 July 2024.
Providing contact details is essential, as our supplier may need to resolve queries with your school. If they cannot make contact to resolve queries during the review marking period over the school summer holidays, applications may be rejected.
The review process
During a marking review we check all of the pupil’s test papers for the relevant subject, to make sure that the original application of the mark scheme was accurate and no clerical errors were made - for example, for mathematics, we review mark Paper 1: arithmetic, Paper 2: reasoning and Paper 3: reasoning.
A panel of experienced supervisory markers, who have achieved the highest quality marking standards throughout the marking period, complete review marking. Review markers are supervised and their work is sampled to ensure that the mark scheme for the subject they are reviewing is applied correctly and marking quality is maintained. If review markers do not apply the mark scheme as required, or do not adhere to the review procedures, they will be stopped from review marking. In this situation, any review marking they have carried out will be reviewed again by another review marker.
Marks may be awarded or deducted following the review of a pupil’s test papers. As a result, a review can lead to an increase or decrease of the raw score, which may affect the scaled score and the achievement of the expected standard.
Tests marked on screen
Test scripts marked on screen will be reviewed on screen. However, if there are any difficulties review marking a script onscreen, it will be review marked on paper.
Tests marked on paper
We mark the following tests on paper:
- all braille, braille transcriptions, enlarged print and modified large print versions of the tests
- test scripts that could not be scanned for onscreen marking – for example, due to the condition of the test scripts
You must confirm whether you are applying for a marking review or clerical review. A marking review for tests marked on paper also includes a clerical review of the addition of marks.
If you apply for a review for any test scripts which were marked on paper, these must be returned to Capita to enable a review. Schools can arrange a marking review script collection by contacting the national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013.
Schools must ensure the original marked test scripts are ready for collection as agreed with Capita. We will not accept copies. If schools do not have scripts ready for the agreed collection, it will be the school’s responsibility to return scripts to Capita by an agreed date at their own cost. In this instance, schools would need to contact the national curriculum assessments helpline to confirm the return address and deadline. If Capita does not have the scripts marked on paper, they will be unable to complete the review and the application will be rejected.
We will only consider review applications if a pupil’s test script has not been amended or annotated in any way following the original marking, including circling the evidence for review or adding sticky notes to the test script. This is so the review marker can reach an impartial judgement. Schools can provide comments using the ‘more information’ box within the review application form. We reserve the right to reject review applications without giving any further reason, if a school has made amendments of any kind to a pupil’s test script.
If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact us via the national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013.
Review outcomes
We will inform you of the outcome of your review by Wednesday 11 September 2024. Pupil results in the ‘View and download KS2 test results’ form on the PAG will be amended, where required, to reflect the outcome of the review.
For each subject, you will receive a letter confirming:
- the outcome of your review application
- a notification of changes sheet
- a marking review report for each pupil
Each of these contains important information about your review. The marking review report is completed by the review marker who review marked your school’s test scripts for a given subject.
You will be able to access test scripts which were reviewed onscreen by using the ‘View and download KS2 test results’ form in the ‘Available activity’ section of the PAG. This will show the review marks for each pupil. If you send test scripts marked on paper for review, we will return them to your school by Thursday 5 September 2024. Where a mark is changed through the review process, changes to the scaled score will not be taken into account in the provisional school level performance measures until the school checking exercise takes place in September 2024.
You can find more information about your school’s performance tables in the Department for Education’s ‘Compare school performance’ service.
Updates to this page
Last updated 9 July 2024 + show all updates
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Updated for the 2024 test cycle.
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Updated for the 2023 test cycle
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The deadline for submitting a review of key stage 2 test scripts has been extended to Friday 22 July
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updated information: applying for a review of marking for key stage 2 national curriculum tests for the current test cycle
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Banner updated for current test cycle
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Updated for 2019 test cycle.
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We have updated this guidance to reflect what is classified as a successful review for 2018. Schools will not be charged, if there is a change to whether the pupil met the expected standard or not or if there is a change of 2 or more marks to the raw score, not 3 marks as in previous years.
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Updated for 2017 test cycle.
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Updated for 2016 test cycle.
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Updated for 2015 review dates
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Further information added on how and when to apply for a review. For example deadlines and which scripts to return for review.
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First published.