Reception baseline assessment: IT guidance
Guidance to help ensure schools have the correct devices required to deliver the 2025 reception baseline assessment (RBA).
Introduction
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.
Device requirements
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.
Recommended actions before administration
We recommend IT staff and practitioners administering the assessment complete the activities below to ensure devices are prepared for the assessment to minimise the risk of disruption.
Check your devices are ready to use
You should ensure that:
- all devices are fully charged
- you have disabled auto lock, hibernate or sleep mode
Update your operating system and browser
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.
Secure your internet connection
You should ensure your internet connection is working and stable at the start of each day you plan to administer the assessment.
Prepare your internet browser
You should:
- close any unnecessary tabs on the browser and any other applications open on your devices
- ensure the browser is not in privacy or incognito mode
- ensure cookies are enabled
- ensure your browser has local storage access enabled
- ensure pop-up blocker software is disabled
Check your devices connect to the assessment services
You should check your network and devices connect to the assessment services successfully by completing the ‘Check your network and devices’ activity within ‘Assessment service: start an assessment’ via DfE Sign-in.
This activity is designed to ensure your devices can connect to the service and connect to each other.
If you are experiencing connection issues, you should share our troubleshooting guidance with your school’s IT support.
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.
Troubleshooting information for IT support
If you are experiencing issues connecting your devices, this may be because your network settings are stopping your device from making a connection. We recommend you share this network guidance with your IT support.
Content Delivery Network connectivity
To view images and content, your internet browser must be able to connect to the Content Delivery Network (CDN). If this connection fails, there may be a firewall blocking it. To address this issue, we recommend adding the following rule to your firewall to allow connection to the CDN:
FQDN: s122p01.azureedge.net
| Protocol | Port |
|---|---|
| TCP/HTTPS | 80,443 |
Event API connectivity
Event Application Programming Interface (API) connectivity is needed for data to be sent whilst pupils are doing the assessment. If this connection fails, there may be a firewall blocking it. To address this issue, we recommend adding the following rule to your firewall to allow connection:
FQDN: s122p01-assessment-fd.azurefd.net
| Protocol | Port |
|---|---|
| TCP/HTTPS | 80,443 |
Signalling service connectivity
WebSocket is the signalling service used to exchange information between the devices. If connection fails, there may be a firewall blocking it. To address this issue, we recommend adding the following rule to your firewall to allow connection:
FQDN: s122p01-signalr.service.signalr.net
| Protocol | Port |
|---|---|
| TCP/HTTPS | 80,443 (allow websockets) |
Further support
For further support, you can contact the national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013.
When contacting the helpline, they will ask for information about your device to assist troubleshooting. Please ensure you can confirm the:
- type of device you are using – for example: desktop, laptop, tablet or iPad
- operating system – for example: Windows, macOS, iOS or Android
- browser you are using – for example: Edge or Chrome
- issue with as much detail as possible – if possible, we recommend taking a screenshot
Help accessing the assessment service
For information about accessing DfE Sign-in, including how to manage users, select DfE Sign-in ‘Help’ when you are signed in or ask the DfE Sign-in help assistant. If required, you can also submit a ‘contact us’ form.