Key stage 2 tests: making adaptations to modified large print test materials
This guidance is for schools that need to access the adaptable key stage 2 (KS2) modified large print (MLP) test materials to make further adaptations for their pupils.
Available formats
MLP versions of the KS2 tests are available as adaptable Microsoft Word documents in the following formats:
- 18 point, A4 portrait
- 24 point, A4 portrait
- 36 point, A3 portrait
- 48 point, A3 landscape
Past test materials
Schools should ensure that pupils who will use the modified tests are familiar with the MLP format before taking the tests.
Past test materials in adaptable MLP formats are available only from the 2025 tests onwards, as this is when they were piloted.
You will find them in our collection of past test materials.
Alternatively, you can order hard copies of past MLP papers from the national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013 or by emailing MTH@iwanttoconnect.co.uk.
Applying for access in 2026
Schools must apply for access to the adaptable MLP test materials on the National Curriculum Assessments Portal (NCA Portal).
The headteacher must complete the ‘Adaptable modified large print materials’ application form, which will be available on the NCA Portal from Monday 9 February until Thursday 21 May.
Before completing an application for adaptable MLP test materials, you must ensure your school has placed a test order for hard copy versions of the same MLP tests. This is because the test administration instructions and any models required are only included with the hard copy versions.
After submitting your application:
- You will receive an email confirming that we have received your submission.
- We will send you a separate email within 2 school days to confirm whether your application has been approved or declined. If your application is declined, we will explain why and how you can submit another one.
- If your application is approved, the person you nominated to access the adaptable MLP test materials will receive an email on the day before the test. This will provide further information on how to access the materials.
- On the day of the test, your nominated person will be able to access all 4 formats of the adaptable MLP test materials on the NCA Portal from 7:30am.
Early opening to adapt a test paper
If you need access to the adaptable MLP test materials before 7:30am on the day of the test, to make complex adaptations, you must apply for early opening by Friday 6 March.
Where an early opening application is approved, the adaptable MLP test materials will be available on the NCA Portal from 7:30am on the approved date. An approved early opening application covers both the adaptable and hard copy versions of the MLP tests, as both need to be used in conjunction.
The tests must be administered on the dates specified in the test timetable, and papers for each subject must be administered in order, unless there are exceptional circumstances – for example, a start time variation or an approved timetable variation.
For more information about early opening, please refer to the KS2 access arrangements guidance.
Making further adaptations to the tests
Please check any adaptations carefully to ensure no changes have been made that could invalidate the concept being assessed in the question. We cannot compensate, or give special consideration, where test papers have been incorrectly adapted.
You must ensure that the accuracy of the materials is not affected. If you adapt the corresponding text, questions or page references incorrectly, pupils may be disadvantaged.
There may be questions in the mathematics tests that are unsuitable for further enlargement. If that is the case, the modified test administration instructions we delivered with your printed test papers will provide guidance.
Permitted adaptations
You are allowed to:
- change the page orientation
- change emphasis – for example, underline can change to bold
- break booklets into sections to help with administration
- make the quotation marks non-directional
- add the number of marks a question is worth – this should usually be placed immediately after the text of the question for modified tests
- repeat equations or phrases to avoid the need to turn the page
- print the test materials on different coloured paper
- change the font used to one used in everyday classroom practice
- create a screen-ready version for use with assisted reading devices where these are allowed – please note that screen readers are not permitted in the English reading test
- adjust line spacing
- make booklets one question per page
- adjust the area for answer or answer lines, such as increasing line weight, or replacing with a suitably sized box
You are not allowed to:
- increase the size of diagrams in mathematics questions relating to measurement – these are aligned to the mark schemes at the length they are presented in the MLP papers
- change the order or the wording of the questions
Important points to note
- Ensure that you have all the questions, that they are in the correct order and that the page numbers are correct.
- Ensure that all words that should be enlarged or bold for emphasis are modified to at least 6 point sizes larger than the pupil’s modified font size.
- Ensure that all tables, grids and boxes are modified with thicker borders and enlarged, if necessary, due to the increase in the modified text size.
- Ensure that all answer lines and boxes are modified to be bolder and increased in size to accommodate the pupil’s writing.
- Check that words in textboxes and shapes are in the correct font size and line spacing.
- Where possible, avoid splitting questions across pages. If this is unavoidable, please add instructions for pupils to look at the next page, as appropriate. For some questions in the 48 point version, where this is the case, we have not added this guidance but advise that you add it if you think it is appropriate.
- If questions go onto a second page after enlargement, ensure that these are facing pages, even if that means leaving an ‘intentionally blank’ page before the question.
- If you need to move material such as a graph, table, or figure – either to the opposite page, the next page, or a figure booklet – include a written direction, such as “the graph opposite” or “see Figure 1 in the separate figure booklet, which shows a graph”.
- Ensure you also modify the page numbers to the pupil’s requirements in the footer of the pages.
- You also need to modify any images to meet the pupil’s requirements.
Additional points for the mathematics test
- Labelling lines on graphs and grids need to be distinguishable.
- If there are questions, such as for symmetry, where we supplied a supplementary shape with the test paper, if you have increased the scale of the image in the question, you must recreate the supplementary symmetry shape to correspond with it for the pupil to use.
- Ensure that the correct decimal place is used for numbers.
Additional points for the reading test
- Ensure that the page references in the reading answer booklet have been modified in line with the newly modified reading prompt booklet. Direct pupils to the appropriate section of the adapted reading booklet for each question.
- When adapting page references, ensure you include the same span of text provided in the original page reference. Do not reduce the page extent or the section pupils have been asked to refer to.
- Ensure that you update the page numbers in the contents section of the reading prompt booklet, in line with the modifications.
Final steps
After you have made the adaptations, we recommend that you:
- step away and revisit the paper after a period of time
- ask another authorised member of staff to check the papers before the pupil takes the test, if possible
This will allow you to address any errors and reprint papers, if required.
Security
Test materials must be stored securely and treated as confidential from the point they are downloaded from the NCA Portal until Friday 22 May, after the timetable variation period has ended and all test scripts have been collected for marking. This includes unused test papers.
If adaptable papers need to be shared outside the school (for example, with a local authority adapting service), the headteacher is responsible for ensuring the security of test materials throughout the process. Only the headteacher, or the person making adaptations, should have access to test papers that have been opened early.
Once adaptations are complete, schools must ensure that test content is removed from any electronic devices.
Once printed, hard copies of all modified test papers must be kept securely in accordance with the test administration guidance.
Help and support
For general enquiries about the KS2 tests, contact the national curriculum assessments helpline:
National curriculum assessments helpline
Call: 0300 303 3013
Email: assessments@education.gov.uk
Online: NCA Portal ‘Support’
If you require further advice about the suitability or appropriate adaptations of the MLP formats, you can email MTH@iwanttoconnect.co.uk.
For queries relating to access arrangements to meet a pupil’s specific needs, schools can use the ‘Message us – access arrangements’ form within the ‘Test Administration’ tab on the NCA Portal.
Updates to this page
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Added 2 new sections with instructions on how to apply for access to the key stage 2 adaptable modified large print test materials in 2026, and where you can get help and support. Also added additional details on when to apply for early opening and keeping materials secure in existing sections.
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First published.