Key stage 2 tests: special consideration guidance
How schools apply for special consideration for pupils whose performance is affected by extremely distressing circumstances or incidents before the tests.
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Special consideration may be awarded if a pupil’s performance in a key stage 2 (KS2) test has been affected by extremely distressing circumstances.
Approved applications for special consideration do not give STAthe Standards and Testing Agency (STA) sufficient information to change a pupil’s scaled score itself, but the Department for Education (DfE) will take into account the fact that special consideration has been granted when calculating primary school performance measures.
Last updated
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Updated for the 2023 test cycle.
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Updated for the 2022 test cycle.
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Updated for the 2020 test cycle.
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Updated for the 2018/19 academic year.
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First published.
Update history
2026-03-09 09:30
Guidance updated for the academic year 2025 to 2026, including updates to reflect the new process for special consideration applications to be submitted on to the National Curriculum Assessments Portal (NCA Portal).
2025-03-17 09:30
Updated for the academic year 2024 to 2025
2024-03-18 09:30
Updated guidance for the key stage 2 tests in 2024.
2023-03-20 07:55
Updated for the 2023 test cycle.
2022-04-25 15:24
Updated for the 2022 test cycle.
