2024 key stage 1 and key stage 2 STA technical pre-tests

This trial is aimed at testing the performance of individual questions at key stage 1 and key stage 2.

Schools will be randomly selected by STA and make up a nationally representative sample. If your school has been selected, we will have written to your headteacher and if your school is LA maintained or is part of a multi-academy trust (MAT) with more than 5 schools, we will have informed your LA or MAT that your school has been selected.

It is important that all schools that have been selected participate in the trial so that the data from the trial includes pupils from all backgrounds across the whole of England. This means that you can have confidence that future national curriculum tests are accessible by all pupils and not just those with the highest abilities or from more privileged backgrounds.

This is a trial testing the performance of individual questions.

Even though KS1 national curriculum tests are now optional within schools, participation in all these trials is statutory across both key stages. For more information please visit this page. 

Along with your selection letter or email you would have also received a copy of a letter from STA with more details about the statutory nature of these trials. If you do not have a copy please contact NFER using the details at the end of these FAQs and someone from the team will be happy to share a copy of this letter with you.

Your involvement in this trial is an excellent opportunity for children to practise and for your feedback to be considered in the development of future assessments. Participating children will receive a sticker to acknowledge their help with these trials. 

The date of the trialling will be arranged at your convenience within the below testing periods:

If notified of your selection for this trial you will need to complete the online reply form as soon as possible, details of how to do this will have been included in your notification of selection letter and email.

If you have any questions or would like further information about the trial, please contact the project team at [email protected].