Key stage 2 tests: varying the test timetable
Information about how headteachers, or someone with delegated authority, can request to reschedule the key stage 2 (KS2) tests.
KS2 tests should be administered to the whole cohort on the days specified in the statutory timetable outlined in the ‘Important dates’ section of the KS2 assessment and reporting arrangements.
In limited circumstances, pupils may be able to take a test at a different time, or on a different day, from the rest of the cohort. In exceptional circumstances, a school may need to reschedule a test for the whole cohort to a different day.
Under no circumstances should a test be administered before the day specified in the statutory timetable.
Failure to follow this guidance could result in a maladministration investigation.
Administering a test in multiple sittings on the scheduled day
Schools can administer a test in multiple sittings between 7am and 7pm on the scheduled date without seeking approval from the Standards and Testing Agency (STA). Schools should be prepared to explain the arrangements if they receive a monitoring visit from the local authority.
Schools may vary the start time of a test on the scheduled day if:
- the school needs to stagger the administration to accommodate the availability of staff or facilities
- the school has a large cohort and needs to administer the test in 2 or more sittings
- there are pupils who need scribes, readers, transcribes, prompters, signers or translators and there are not enough staff to support these pupils to take the test at the same time
- a pupil is not going to be in school at the time the rest of the cohort is taking the test
- a pupil is unwell when the rest of the cohort takes the test, but is in a fit state later in the day
- a pupil arrives late in school
- arrangements are needed to support a pupil who arrives in school with an injury that affects their ability to take the test with the rest of the cohort
In all these circumstances, the headteacher must ensure that pupils taking tests later in the school day do not have any opportunity to access test materials or discuss test content with other pupils or staff who have been involved with earlier sittings of the tests.
Administering a test after the scheduled day
Schools must submit an application for a timetable variation on the National Curriculum Assessments Portal (NCA Portal) for permission to move a test up to 5 school days after the date specified in the statutory timetable.
Schools are encouraged to submit applications for known, authorised absences as early as possible.
We will consider an application if a pupil:
- has an important appointment that cannot be rearranged – for example, a hospital appointment, a court appearance, national or international sports participation or a funeral
- is observing a religious or cultural festival
We will also consider applications if the school:
- is being used as a polling station for local or general elections and it is not possible to continue with test administration in another part of the school
- must deal with an unforeseeable problem – for example, flooding or fire
- has been issued with a notice to close because of health and safety concerns
- has a short working day – for example, in pupil referral units or other alternative provision
- has pupils who use braille test papers and it is not possible for them to complete more than one paper in one day – a timetable variation can be used to split the papers out, if necessary
We will not allow timetable variations for:
- unauthorised pupil absences
- staff absences, including industrial action
- family holidays
- school activities – for example, staff training events or field trips
- temporary exclusions during the test period
- a pupil who started but did not complete a test and has left test conditions
If the headteacher has not authorised the absence, the application will not be approved.
In exceptional circumstances, where a test is being rescheduled for the whole cohort, the headteacher must ask parents to help protect the integrity, security and confidentiality of the tests. Parents can do this by ensuring that their children do not have contact with pupils from other schools who have already taken the test, and that they do not have access to test content on the internet or on social media.
Pupil absence on scheduled test days
If a pupil is absent on the day of a test, headteachers must take steps to ensure the pupil does not have contact with other pupils – for example, by speaking to the pupil’s parents about how they can help prevent contact with other pupils who have already taken the test, or about arrangements for entering the premises on the day the pupil returns to school.
If a pupil is absent on the day of a test because of illness, or due to an unplanned absence, the school should wait until the pupil returns to school before making a timetable variation application. This will help make sure that the pupil is in a fit physical and mental state to take the test on the day and time stated in the application.
If a pupil returns to school during test week or the timetable variation period, following an absence, the school must supervise the pupil. This will ensure the pupil cannot discuss test content with pupils who have taken the test.
In the case of pupils who live in the same household, if one pupil is absent on the day of a test but other pupils from the same household are in school (and the school intends to administer the test to those pupils), the school should consider delaying the test for all the pupils in the household. This is to make sure the integrity, security and confidentiality of the test is maintained. The school must make sure the pupils do not have any opportunity to discuss test content with pupils who have already taken the test.
If one or more pupils from the same household have taken the test, and the others have not, the school should work with parents to ensure that the pupils do not have any opportunity to discuss the test content if a timetable variation application is planned.
If a pupil attends alternative provision (including pupil referral units) for some days of the week, the maintained school or academy where they are registered may have to apply for a timetable variation. This lets the pupil sit the test as soon as is practical when they are back in school. Appropriate measures should be taken to ensure the integrity, security and confidentiality of the test is maintained.
In all the above circumstances, if the headteacher can guarantee that test content has not been discussed and the pupil has been supervised at all times, a timetable variation application can be submitted, selecting ‘No’ in answer to question 1 in the application.
Making an application (Monday 9 February to Thursday 21 May 2026)
From Monday 9 February, the ‘Submit timetable variation’ form will be available in the ‘Test Administration’ tab on the NCA Portal.
The headteacher or someone with delegated authority who applies to vary the test timetable will need to confirm that they believe:
- the content of the tests has remained confidential
- the pupil has not had any opportunity to discuss test content with pupils who have already taken the tests
- the pupil has not had access to the test materials – for example, on the internet or on social media
- the pupil is in a fit physical and mental state to take the tests, particularly in cases where the pupil is returning to school after an illness or injury
The final dates that schools can administer a test with an approved timetable variation application are:
| Date | Tests |
|---|---|
| Monday 18 May | English grammar, punctuation and spelling Papers 1 and 2 |
| Tuesday 19 May | English reading Paper |
| Wednesday 20 May | Mathematics Papers 1 and 2 |
| Thursday 21 May | Mathematics Paper 3 |
If the headteacher is aware of any reason why these conditions cannot be confirmed, the application will not be approved and the pupil must not take the test.
During test week and the timetable variation period, it can take up to one hour for an application to be processed. Schools should consider this when planning and applying for their preferred new test administration time.
Schools must not administer any missed or rescheduled tests to pupils until they receive STA’s approval.
If a timetable variation application is rejected, the pupil must not take the test.
If an individual pupil is absent on the approved rescheduled test date, the school must submit a new timetable variation application, if it is possible to reschedule within the timetable variation period for the affected test. Schools should do this as soon as it is practical after the pupil returns to school and is fit enough to sit the test.
Schools will receive an email when their application has been reviewed and should sign in to the NCA Portal to check the status of the application, as we may ask them to provide more information.
We suggest schools have more than one delegated member of school staff registered on the NCA Portal. This will ensure that applications are not the sole responsibility of one individual, reducing the impact of staff absences or shortages and the burden on headteachers.
Completing the online attendance register
Schools will update, complete and submit each test attendance register on the NCA Portal.
If a pupil is absent on the day of a test you should:
- complete the online test attendance register for pupils who took the test and save it – do not submit it until you know whether any absent pupils will sit the test
- mark pupils taking the test with an approved timetable variation application as ‘Attended’ on the attendance register once the test has been administered – do not mark them as ‘Absent’ or ‘Taking the test in a future year’
- mark pupils as ‘Absent’ on the attendance register if their timetable variation application is not approved or if they do not return within 5 school days
Returning test scripts
1.Place all tests taken on the day specified in the statutory timetable in the clear bag and seal it.
2.Place the clear bag in the white outer bag, but do not seal it or send it for marking until the last pupil has taken the test – for example, you should wait if:
- you are administering a modified or braille version of papers 2 or 3 for a subject
- you are administering a test after the scheduled day using an approved timetable variation
- an absent pupil does not return to school by the end of the timetable variation period
3.After each test administered with an approved timetable variation, place the completed test script directly into the subject’s white outer bag. These additional test scripts do not need to be put into a clear inner bag.
4.Seal the white outer bag when all test scripts for the subject have been added and no more are expected.
5.Send the sealed white outer bag for marking in your next collection, which could be either:
- the day after your final approved timetable variation for each subject
- the day after the final timetable variation date for a subject (see Making an application)
You must store all sealed and unsealed bags containing test materials securely at all times, until they are collected for marking.
For more instructions about attendance codes and how to store, pack and send timetable variation scripts for marking, please refer to the guidance on returning test scripts.
Help and support
If you have any question about timetable variations, you can contact the national curriculum assessments helpline:
National curriculum assessments helpline
Call: 0300 303 3013
Email: assessments@education.gov.uk
Online: NCA Portal ‘Support’
Updates to this page
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Updated for the academic year 2025 to 2026
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Added clarification that we will also consider timetable variation applications for pupils who use braille test papers, where it is not possible for the pupil to complete more than one paper in one day.
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Updated for the academic year 2024 to 2025.
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Updated guidance for the assessment cycle 2023 to 2024.
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Updated to reflect the changes due to the additional bank holiday in honour of the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III taking place on Monday 8 May 2023.
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Updated guidance for the 2022-23 academic cycle.
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Updated Key stage 2 tests: varying the test timetable guidance for 2021/22 academic year.
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Updated guidance for the 2020/21 academic year.
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First published.