National curriculum tests: how maintained schools can order test materials
Information for maintained schools and academies about ordering key stage 1, phonics screening check and key stage 2 test materials.
Maintained schools, academies and free schools can use the ‘Test orders’ section of the NCA tools website until Friday 28 November to order materials for the national curriculum tests.
Key stage 1 tasks and tests
Standard materials
You can order standard versions of the key stage 1 (KS1) materials via the ‘Test orders’ section of NCA tools. PDF versions are also available for you to download and print from the ‘Test orders’ section.
This is the final year that you can use the 2007 and 2009 versions. These will be replaced by a new suite of materials when the new national curriculum is assessed for the first time in May 2016. Please bear this in mind when considering which materials you need.
Modified materials
You can order modified versions of the KS1 materials via the ‘Test orders’ section of NCA tools.
Braille and modified large print test materials are available for pupils with a visual impairment. Read the information about different versions of the tasks and tests to help you decide which will be most appropriate for your pupils.
Please place your modified test orders by Friday 28 November. If your pupils’ needs change after this date contact our modified test helpline.
Phonics screening check
You don’t need to place orders for the standard phonics screening check materials. We will send materials based on census data.
Braille versions of the phonics materials should be ordered by calling our modified test helpline by Friday 1 May.
Key stage 2 tests
Standard test materials
You can order standard versions of the levels 3-5 tests via the ‘Test orders’ section of NCA tools. If you don’t place an order we will use your pupil registration data to provide you with test materials.
If you want additional copies of the CDs for the mental mathematics test, eg to to administer this test in a number of test rooms, you must order CDs by Friday 28 November.
You can’t order standard versions of the level 6 tests. You will only receive materials if you complete the pupil registration process. The ‘Pupil registration’ section of NCA tools will open on Monday 23 February and must be completed by Friday 20 March.
Any pupils not registered for the level 6 tests by the pupil registration deadline will not be able to take part in them.
Modified test materials
Modified levels 3-5 and level 6 test materials available via the ‘Test orders’ section of NCA tools are:
- modified test materials for pupils with a visual impairment
- modified mental mathematics test materials for pupils with a hearing impairment and pupils who use sign language
Read the information about modified versions of the tests to help you decide which materials will be most appropriate for your pupils.
Please place your modified test orders by Friday 28 November. If your pupils’ needs change after this date contact our modified test helpline.
You will only receive level 6 modified materials if you also complete the pupil registration process. The ‘Pupil registration’ section of NCA tools will open on Monday 23 February and must be completed by Friday 20 March.
Any pupils not registered for the level 6 tests by the pupil registration deadline will not be able to take part in them.
Mark schemes and mark scheme amendments
You can’t order mark schemes or mark scheme amendments. These will be published on NCA tools after all test scripts have been collected for marking in May.
Help and support
Standards and Testing Agency
Email assessments@education.gov.uk
National curriculum assessments helpline 0300 303 3013
For general enquiries about national curriculum tests.
Standards and Testing Agency
Email modifiedtestshelpline@pia.co.uk
STA modified test helpline 0300 303 3019
For guidance on ordering modified test materials.