Guidance

Key stage 2: science sampling tests

Information for headteachers, teachers and parents of pupils selected to participate in the KS2 science tests in 2020.

• From: Standards and Testing Agency
• Published: 5 September 2013
• Last updated: 2 March 2020
  Show all updates

  1. 2 March 2020

     This page has been updated for the 2020 tests.

  2. 23 October 2018

     Added a note to highlight that the next science sampling tests will take place in 2020, as the 2018 tests have now been completed. Added NFER privacy notice for the 2018 key stage 2 science sampling tests.

  3. 30 April 2018

     List of selected schools added.

  4. 23 April 2018

     Information for parents document added, with links to 2016 science sampling test materials.

  5. 27 March 2018

     This page has been updated for the 2018 tests.

  6. 25 April 2016

     Updated for 2016

  7. 5 September 2013

     First published.

This publication was withdrawn on 10 April 2024

Science sampling in 2020 was cancelled due to COVID-19. The last year in which science sampling took place was 2018. Ministers have since decided not to undertake any further science sampling at key stage 2 (KS2).

However, schools should still make teacher assessment (TA) judgements and submit TA data for science at the end of KS2.

Documents

Science sampling arrangements

HTML

Details

There will be no science sampling tests in the academic year 2021/22. We will confirm arrangements for 2022/23 in due course.

To understand more about the format of the tests, view the materials used for the 2016 science sample tests.

You can also access information on the outcomes of the 2018 science tests.