2013 Key Stage 2 tests

Schools are required to administer the following level 3-5 tests:

• English reading
• English grammar, punctuation and spelling (new for 2013)
• mathematics

Schools may also choose to administer level 6 versions of these tests.

Headteachers should consider a child’s expected attainment before entering them for the level 6 tests as they should already be demonstrating attainment above level 5. The child must achieve a level 5 in the level 3-5 test and pass the corresponding level 6 test in the same year to be awarded an overall level 6 result. If the child does not pass the level 6 test they will be awarded the level achieved in the level 3-5 test.

Results from the level 6 tests will continue to be used in the accountability framework for 2012/13. The Department will use level 6 results and level 6 English writing teacher assessment in its calculation of progress measures, value added, percentage achieving level 5+ and average point scores. This year the percentage of the number of children at the end of Key Stage 2 achieving level 6 in a school will also be shown in performance tables. The Department will not publish any information at school level about the numbers of children entered for the level 6 tests, or the percentage achieving level 6 of those entered for level 6.

There will not be a Key Stage 2 science sampling test in 2013; a new, biennial (every other year), pupil-level sampling system will be introduced in 2014. 

Test dates

The 2013 Key Stage 2 tests will take place from 13-17 May. Schools have been asked to keep this period free for administering the Key Stage 2 tests.

* If a school is administering both the level 3-5 and level 6 test in a subject the level 3-5 test must be administered first. STA recommends administering level 3-5 in the morning, and level 6 in the afternoon.