Reception baseline assessment: IT guidance
Guidance to help ensure schools have the correct devices required to deliver the 2025 reception baseline assessment (RBA).
Device requirements
From September 2025, schools will need a minimum of 2 devices to administer the RBA. One device will be used by the practitioner to administer the assessment, and the pupil will need to use a separate touchscreen device to respond to some of the questions.
Screen size
Both devices will need a minimum screen size of 9.7 inches (measured diagonally) to interact with assessment questions.
Touchscreen
Any devices used by pupils must have touchscreen functionality. This is required to ensure they can respond to the questions.
Operating systems and browsers
We recommend ensuring your devices are updated with the latest operating system and browser before administering the assessment. This is important to ensure the RBA runs smoothly.
You can run the RBA on the following operating systems and browsers:
| Operating system | Browser |
|---|---|
| Windows | Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox |
| macOS | Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox |
| iOS* | Safari for iOS, Google Chrome |
| Android | Google Chrome, Samsung Internet |
| ChromeOS (Chromebooks) | Google Chrome |
*The RBA will not work on iOS12 or earlier, due to the age and limitations of this technology.
Security
The devices you use to conduct the assessment should be owned and managed by the school.
Schools should take appropriate measures to ensure their devices are safe and secure, such as applying filtering and antivirus software.
The Department for Education’s guidance on meeting digital and technology standards in schools and colleges provides information on what schools should do to ensure the safety and security of their devices and technology.
Further support
If you are experiencing any issues with your devices, we recommend sharing this guidance with your school’s IT support.
If you have any other questions about the devices required to administer the 2025 RBA, please email Future-RBA.STA@education.gov.uk.
Updates to this page
Published 20 March 2023Last updated 3 February 2025 + show all updates
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Removed duplicate content relating to the administration of the assessment, which is covered in the 'RBA administration guidance'.
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First published.