Key stage 2 tests: varying the test timetable
Information about how headteachers, or someone with delegated authority, can reschedule the key stage 2 (KS2) tests.
KS2 tests should be administered to the whole cohort on the days specified in the statutory timetable outlined in section 2.3 of the KS2 assessment and reporting arrangements.
In limited circumstances, pupils may be able to take a test at a different time, or on a different day, from the rest of the cohort. In exceptional circumstances, a school may need to reschedule a test for the whole cohort to a different day. This guidance explains when and how to do this.
Under no circumstances should a test be administered before the day specified in the statutory timetable.
Failure to follow this guidance could result in a maladministration investigation.
Administering a test in multiple sittings on the scheduled day
Schools can administer a test in multiple sittings between 7am and 7pm on the scheduled date without seeking approval from the Standards and Testing Agency (STA). Schools should be prepared to explain the arrangements if they receive a monitoring visit from the local authority.
Schools may vary the start time of a test on the scheduled day if:
- the school needs to stagger the administration to accommodate the availability of staff or facilities
- the school has a large cohort and needs to administer the test in 2 or more sittings
- there are pupils who need scribes, readers, prompters, signers or translators, and there are not enough staff members to support these pupils to take the test at the same time
- a pupil is not going to be in school at the time the rest of the cohort is taking the test
- a pupil is unwell when the rest of the cohort takes the test, but is in a fit state later in the day
- a pupil arrives late in school
- arrangements need to be made to support a pupil who arrives in school with an injury that affects their ability to take the test with the rest of the cohort
In all these circumstances, the headteacher must ensure that pupils taking tests later in the school day do not have any opportunity to access test materials or discuss test content with other pupils or staff who have been involved with earlier sittings of tests.
Administering a test after the scheduled day
Schools must submit an application for a timetable variation on the Primary Assessment Gateway (PAG) to seek permission to move a test up to 5 school days after the date specified in the statutory timetable.
Schools are encouraged to submit applications for known, authorised absences as early as possible.
We will consider an application if a pupil:
- has an important appointment that cannot be rearranged – for example, a hospital appointment, a court appearance, national or international sports participation or a funeral
- is observing a religious or cultural festival
We will also consider applications if the school:
- is being used as a polling station for local or general elections and it is not possible to continue with test administration in another part of the school
- must deal with an unforeseeable problem – for example, flooding or fire
- has been issued with a notice to close because of health and safety concerns
- has a short working day – for example, in a pupil referral unit or alternative provision
We will also consider applications for pupils who use braille test papers, where it is not possible for the pupil to complete more than one paper in one day. A timetable variation can be used to split the papers out, if necessary.
We will not allow timetable variations for:
- unauthorised pupil absences
- staff absences, including industrial action
- family holidays
- school activities – for example, staff training events or field trips
- temporary exclusions during the test period
- a pupil who started but did not complete a test, and has left test conditions
If the headteacher has not authorised the absence, the application will not be approved.
In exceptional circumstances where a test is being rescheduled for the whole cohort, the headteacher must ask parents to help protect the integrity, security and confidentiality of the tests by ensuring that pupils do not have contact with pupils from other schools who have already taken the test or have access to test content via the internet or social media.
Pupil absence on scheduled test days
If a pupil is absent on the day of the test, headteachers must take steps to ensure the pupil does not have contact with others – for example, by speaking to the pupil’s parents about how they can help prevent contact with other pupils who have already taken the test, or about arrangements for entering the premises on the day the pupil returns to school.
If a pupil is absent on the day of a test because of illness, the school should wait until they have returned to school before making an application. This is to ensure the pupil is in a fit, physical and mental state to take the test on the day and time stated in the application.
If a pupil returns to school during test week or the timetable variation period following an absence, the school must ensure the pupil is supervised so there is no opportunity for the pupil to discuss test content.
In the case of pupils who live in the same household, if one pupil is absent on the day of a test but other pupils from the same household are in school (and the school intends to administer the test to those pupils), the school should consider delaying the test for all the pupils in the household. This is to ensure the integrity, security and confidentiality of the test is maintained. The school must ensure the pupils do not have any opportunity to discuss test content with pupils who have already taken the test.
If some siblings, or pupils from the same household, have taken the test and the others have not, the school may need to work with parents to ensure that the pupils do not have any opportunity to discuss the test content if a timetable variation application is planned.
If a pupil attends an alternative provision (including pupil referral units) for some days of the week, the maintained school or academy where they are registered may have to apply for a timetable variation to enable the pupil to sit the test as soon as is practical when the pupil is back in school. Appropriate measures should be taken to ensure the integrity, security and confidentiality of the test is maintained.
In all the above circumstances, if the headteacher can guarantee that no test content has been discussed and the pupil has been supervised at all times, a timetable variation application can be submitted, selecting ‘No’ in answer to question 1 in the application.
Making an application – Monday 10 February to Thursday 22 May 2025
When the headteacher, or someone with delegated authority, applies to vary the test timetable, they will be asked to confirm that they believe:
- the content of the tests has remained confidential
- the pupil has not had any opportunity to discuss test content with pupils who have already taken the tests
- the pupil has not had access to the test materials – for example, via the internet or social media
- the pupil is in a fit physical and mental state to take the tests, particularly in cases where the pupil is returning to school after an illness or injury
The final date that schools can administer a test with an approved timetable variation application would be:
- Monday 19 May for English grammar, punctuation and spelling papers 1 and 2
- Tuesday 20 May for the English reading paper
- Wednesday 21 May for mathematics papers 1 and 2
- Thursday 22 May for mathematics paper 3
If the headteacher is aware of any reason why these conditions cannot be confirmed, the application will not be approved, and the pupil must not take the test.
When making an application for a timetable variation, you must ensure that any pupils who have not taken the tests have not discussed test content with pupils who have already taken the tests.
The rescheduled test must not be administered until an application has been approved.
During test week and the timetable variation period, schools must allow up to one hour for an application to be processed within school hours. Missed or rescheduled tests must not be administered to pupils until the school receives STA’s approval.
If a timetable variation application is rejected, the pupil must not take the test.
If an individual pupil is absent on the rescheduled test date following an approved timetable variation application, and it is possible to reschedule further within the timetable variation period for the affected test, the school must again seek approval from STA via a new timetable variation application. Schools should do this as soon as is practical after the pupil returns to school and is fit enough to sit the test.
An email will be sent to the school when the application has been reviewed. Schools should sign in to the PAG to check the status of the application, as they may be asked to provide more information.
We suggest schools have more than one member of school staff registered as a PAG user. This will ensure that applications and notifications are not the sole responsibility of one individual, reducing the impact of staff absences or shortages.
Completing the attendance register
If a pupil is absent on the day of a test and does not return within 5 school days, the school must mark the pupil as ‘Absent’ (A) on the test attendance register.
If a timetable variation application is not approved, the pupil must not take the test and should be marked as ‘Absent’ (A) on the test attendance register.
If you have administered a test following an approved timetable variation, the test scripts and attendance register for the rest of the cohort taking that paper must not be sent for marking until the last pupil has taken the test. Do not seal the outer white script return bag until all completed timetable variation scripts for that subject are added.
Pupils taking the test with an approved timetable variation application should be marked as ‘Attended’ (✔) on the test attendance register once the test has been administered. They should not be marked as ‘Absent’ (A) or ‘Taking the test in a future year’ (F).
In some cases, you should not seal your inner bags or envelopes straight away – for example, you should wait if:
- you are administering a modified or braille version of papers with multiple papers for a subject
- you are administering a test after the scheduled day using a timetable variation
- a pupil is absent but may return to school before the end of the timetable variation period
For further instructions on attendance codes and how to store, pack and send timetable variation scripts for marking, please refer to the guidance on returning test scripts.
Help and support
There is a step-by-step video tutorial on how to make a timetable variation application:
YouTube video: Key stage 2 tests timetable variations
For general questions about timetable variations, you can contact the national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013 or email assessments@education.gov.uk.
For advice on how to use timetable variations to meet a pupil’s specific needs, you can use the ‘Message us – access arrangements’ form on the PAG.
Updates to this page
Published 17 December 2019Last updated 28 November 2024 + show all updates
-
Added clarification that we will also consider timetable variation applications for pupils who use braille test papers, where it is not possible for the pupil to complete more than one paper in one day.
-
Updated for the academic year 2024 to 2025.
-
Updated guidance for the assessment cycle 2023 to 2024.
-
Updated to reflect the changes due to the additional bank holiday in honour of the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III taking place on Monday 8 May 2023.
-
Updated guidance for the 2022-23 academic cycle.
-
Updated Key stage 2 tests: varying the test timetable guidance for 2021/22 academic year.
-
Updated guidance for the 2020/21 academic year.
-
First published.