National Tests
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Standardised Testing

Your child will be given standard tests four times while he is in primary school:

  • On entering the reception class ("Baseline Testing").
  • At the end of Key Stage 1 (at the end of Infants).
  • In Year 4.
  • At the end of Key Stage 2 (at the end of year 6, before he goes to secondary school).

What The Tests Are For

The tests help the teachers understand how your child is doing in school, so that they can decide what she needs to learn next.

They also help the teachers understand how effective they are being, and what their own strengths and weaknesses are.

When The Tests Take Place

The tests are done in May, so it is important to make sure your child is in school then.

The Tests

Baseline Testing

Unlike the other tests, schools may choose a set of tests from a range approved by the Department for Education and Employment; they will probably use the one recommended by the Local Education Authority.

The tests are in:

  • English (speaking and listening, reading and writing) to see if the child can:
    • Speak clearly, listen, and hold a conversation.
    • Read, or have pre-reading skills such as holding a book properly, following a story through pictures, or recognise print.
    • Write, or have pre-writing skills such as using a pencil, forming letters, and so on
  • Maths (number, shape and space, and measurement) to see if the child can:
    • Count, recognise numbers and add up.
    • Recognise shapes and can name them.
    • Compare the weight and length of objects.
    • Sort objects by size, colour or shape.
    • Use some basic mathematical vocabulary.
  • Personal and Social Development to see if the child can:
    • Play and work with other children.
    • Make friends.
    • Take turns.
    • Listen to instructions, answer questions and take part in conversations.
    • Sit quietly and concentrate on a task or story.

End of Key Stage Tests

There are two parts to each End of Key Stage Test - Teacher Assessment and the National Tests.

  • Teacher Assessment

    The children are given special tasks to do (individually or in groups) which the teacher is not allowed to help with, and which she marks using a special scheme.

  • National Tests

    Those children who have done well enough in the Teacher Assessment go on to take the National Tests.

End of Key Stage 1 Tests

The children are tested in:

  • Reading.
  • Writing, including spelling and handwriting.
  • Maths, including number, shape and space, and measurement.
  • Science.

Year 4 Tests

The children are tested in:

  • Reading.
  • Writing.
  • Spelling.
  • Maths.

End of Key Stage 2 Tests

The children are tested in:

  • English.
  • Maths.
  • Science.

The tests are given by the class teacher, but they are sent off to be marked independently, by specially trained markers.

The Results

You will be told what level your child has reached.

Level W - means the child is working toward Level 1.
Level 1 - Average for a typical 5 year old.
Level 2 - Average for a typical 7 year old.
Level 3 - Average for a typical 9 year old.
Level 4 - Average for a typical 11 year old.

This means that if your child is at Level 2 in the test for the end of Key Stage 1, she's doing as well as you should expect her to.

If she's up to Level 3, she's rather ahead.

If she's only up to Level 1, then she might need extra help.