The date of the annual National Reference Test (NRT) has been announced by The Department for Education and The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). It will be held between 22 February and 5 March 2021.
Letters regarding the arrangements for next year's test are being sent by Ofqual and NFER, to the schools designated as one of those in which students will take part. NFER appreciate that all schools are facing a challenging year ahead, with a great deal of uncertainty, and will work closely with schools to make involvement in the NRT as easy as possible.
The first NRT was held in February and March 2017 and involved 341 schools and nearly 18,000 GCSE students. Each year, a sample of GCSE students will take the same test so it will show, over time, if there is any change in how students perform at a national level. This year NRT results are more important than ever as they will help to develop an understanding of the impact of Covid-19 on performance in English and mathematics.
For more information about the NRT please visit the NRT document collection {www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-reference-test-information
or visit
www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-reference-test-2021-information-for-schools}