National Curriculum Assessments
Primary school pupils in England take part in the:
- reception baseline assessment: within the first 6 weeks of entering reception
- early years foundation stage profile assessment: between April and June of the academic year in which they turn 5 (usually the reception year)
- phonics screening check: in June of year 1
- key stage 1 tests: optional, at the school’s discretion, at the end of year 2
- multiplication tables check: in June of year 4
- key stage 2 tests (sometimes referred to as SATs): in May of year 6
You will find more information about the individual assessments below:
Reception
Leaflet – Reception baseline assessment: information for parents
Link – Reception baseline assessment: information for parents
Year 1
Leaflet – Phonics screening check: information for parents
Link – Phonics screening check: information for parents
Year 2 (end of key stage 1)
Leaflet – Optional key stage 1 national curriculum tests: information for parents
Link – Optional key stage 1 national curriculum tests: information for parents
Year 4
Leaflet – Multiplication tables check: information for parents
Link – Multiplication tables check: information for parents (text version only)
Year 6 (end of key stage 2)
Leaflet – 2025 key stage 2 national curriculum tests: information for parents
Link – 2025 key stage 2 national curriculum tests: information for parents
Leaflet – Assessment results at the end of key stage 2: information for parents
Link – Assessment results at the end of key stage 2: information for parents