Guidance

Optional key stage 1 tests: test administration guidance (TAG)

Guidance for headteachers, teachers and teaching assistants administering the optional key stage 1 (KS1) national curriculum tests in 2026.

• From: Standards and Testing Agency
• Published: 18 March 2016
• Last updated: 9 March 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 9 March 2026

     Updated for the academic year 2025 to 2026

  2. 10 March 2025

     Updated for the academic year 2024 to 2025

  3. 13 March 2024

     Updated guidance for administering the optional end of key stage 1 tests in 2024.

  4. 13 March 2023

     Updated for 2023 test cycle

  5. 14 March 2022

     Updated guidance for administering the 2022 key stage 1 national curriculum tests.

  6. 16 March 2020

     Updated for the 2020 test cycle.

  7. 18 March 2019

     Updated for the 2019 test cycle.

  8. 19 March 2018

     Updated for the 2018 test cycle.

  9. 21 March 2017

     Updated for the 2017 test cycle.

  10. 29 April 2016

      Update added about the removal of the requirement to administer the 2016 KS1 English grammar, punctuation and spelling test.

  11. 18 March 2016

      First published.

Documents

2026 optional key stage 1 test administration guidance

HTML

Details

We will update this guidance in March 2027 for the academic year 2026 to 2027.

If you are involved in administering the optional KS1 tests in 2026, you can prepare by reading this guidance. It includes information about:

• planning for the tests
• receiving test materials
• administering and marking the tests