Statutory guidance

Key stage 2 tests: test administration guidance (TAG)

Guidance for headteachers, teachers and teaching assistants administering the 2026 key stage 2 (KS2) national curriculum tests.

From:

Standards and Testing Agency

Published:

31 March 2016

Last updated:

30 April 2026

Show all updates

30 April 2026
Date correction in section 8.1: "You can make amendments to the ‘Manage key stage 2 pupil registration’ form within the ‘Activities’ section on the NCA Portal until Thursday 21 May (the end of the timetable variation period)." Previously, this sentence incorrectly stated "until Thursday 14 May".
9 March 2026
Updated for the academic year 2025 to 2026
10 March 2025
Updated for the academic year 2024 to 2025
11 March 2024
Updated guidance for administering the statutory end of key stage 2 tests in May 2024.
13 March 2023
Updated for the 2023 test cycle
14 March 2022
Updated guidance for administering the 2022 key stage 2 national curriculum tests.
16 March 2020
Updated for the 2020 test cycle.
18 March 2019
Updated for the 2019 test cycle.
19 March 2018
Updated for the 2018 test cycle.
21 March 2017
Updated for the 2017 test cycle.
31 March 2016
First published.

Documents

HTML

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

If you are involved in administering the KS2 tests in 2026, you should prepare by reading this guidance. It includes information about: