Research and analysis

2019 national curriculum test handbook

Information on the design, development and delivery of the 2019 key stage 1 (KS1) and key stage 2 (KS2) national curriculum tests.

From:
Standards and Testing Agency
Published
26 February 2020
Last updated
24 May 2023 — See all updates

Documents

National curriculum test handbook: 2019

Ref: ISBN 978-1-78957-492-0, STA/20/8509/e

PDF, 1.04 MB, 67 pages

Appendix A: 2019 technical appendix

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 463 KB

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Appendix A: 2022 technical appendix

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 535 KB

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Appendix B: key stage 1 mathematics

Ref: ISBN 978-1-78957-494-4, STA/20/8511/e

PDF, 572 KB, 36 pages

Appendix C: key stage 1 English reading

Ref: ISBN 978-1-78957-495-1, STA/20/8512/e

PDF, 694 KB, 38 pages

Appendix D: key stage 1 English grammar, punctuation and spelling

Ref: ISBN 978-1-78957-493-7, STA/20/8510/e

PDF, 628 KB, 37 pages

Appendix E: key stage 2 mathematics

Ref: ISBN 978-1-78957-497-5, STA/20/8514/e

PDF, 319 KB, 40 pages

Appendix F: key stage 2 English reading

Ref: ISBN 978-1-78957-498-2, STA/20/8515/e

PDF, 685 KB, 42 pages

Appendix G: key stage 2 English grammar, punctuation and spelling

Ref: ISBN 978-1-78957-496-8, STA/20/8513/e

PDF, 646 KB, 43 pages

Details

The test development process followed for the 2022 national curriculum tests is identical to that of the 2019 tests, therefore the 2019 national curriculum test handbook remains appropriate and accurate for 2022. There is a separate ‘Appendix A - technical appendix’ for 2022.

In December 2023, new handbooks and all accompanying appendices will be published.

The handbook provides an overview of the test design, test development and test administration processes used in the 2019 KS1 and KS2 tests in:

  • English reading
  • English grammar, punctuation and spelling
  • mathematics

It also presents validity and reliability evidence related to the tests.

This document is primarily for a technical audience. It is published for reasons of openness and transparency. It will be of interest to those who develop tests or are involved in assessment, including in schools.

The technical appendices contains data from the national curriculum test administrations, including:

  • details of item writing agencies
  • details of trialling agencies
  • dates and type of expert review panels, including participation numbers
  • dates and type of trialling, including the number of participating schools and pupils
  • dates of governance meetings
  • item metadata
  • test statistics
  • the numbers of test papers sent to schools
  • the number and type of modified test orders
  • the number and type of approved access arrangements applications
  • the number and type of access arrangement notifications
  • the number of approved special consideration applications
  • the number and type of modified test papers returned for marking

The validity frameworks explain how validity is ensured throughout every stage of the development of the national curriculum tests. There are validity frameworks for the following subjects at KS1 and KS2:

  • English reading
  • English grammar, punctuation and spelling
  • mathematics
Published 26 February 2020
Last updated 24 May 2023 + show all updates

  1. Appendix A - technical appendix for 2022 added.

  2. Added a banner to indicate that the 2019 Handbook is still appropriate for use in 2022, and to indicate upcoming web page updates.

  3. First published.

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