Guidance

Primary assessments: future dates

FutureThis datespage forsummarises thefuture keyassessment stagedates 1in andprimary keyschools, stage 2 tests (commonly referred to asassist SATs),schools phonicswith screeningtheir check,forward multiplicationplanning. tables check and reception baseline assessment.

From:
Standards and Testing Agency and Department for Education
Published
18 January 2021
Last updated
212 NovemberFebruary 20232024 — See all updates

FutureAssessment dates forappear primary assessments are detailed in chronological orderorder. below to assist schools with their forward planning. Schools must keep these periods free for administering the assessments.

Academic year 2023 to 2024

Reception baseline assessment

Schools must complete the reception baseline assessment for each child in the first 6 weeks after they enter reception.

Early years foundation stage profile assessment

Schools must complete the early years foundation stage profile assessment between April and June of the academic year in which children turn 5, which is usually the reception year.

Optional key stage 1 tests

It is recommended that the optional key stage 1 tests are administered during May 2024.

Key stage 2 tests

The statutory key stage 2 tests are timetabled from Monday 13 May to Thursday 16 May 2024:

Date Activity
Monday 13 May 2024 English grammar, punctuation and spelling papers 1 and 2
Tuesday 14 May 2024 English reading
Wednesday 15 May 2024 Mathematics papers 1 and 2
Thursday 16 May 2024 Mathematics paper 3

Multiplication tables check

Schools must administer the multiplication tables check within the 2-week period from Monday 3 June 2024.

Phonics screening check

Schools must administer the phonics screening check within the 1-week period from Monday 10 June 2024.

To add a full list of all important dates to your calendar, you can download the:
- Key stage 1 assessments calendar 2024 (205 KB)
- Key stage 2 assessments calendar 2024 (1.17 MB) 

Academic year 2024 to 2025

Reception baseline assessment

Schools must complete the reception baseline assessment for each child in the first 6 weeks after they enter reception.

Early years foundation stage profile assessment

Schools must complete the early years foundation stage profile assessment between between April and June of the academic year in which children turn 5, which is usually the reception year.

Optional key stage 1 tests

It is recommended that the optional key stage 1 tests are administered during May 2025.

Key stage 2 tests

The statutory key stage 2 tests are timetabled from Monday 12 May to Thursday 15 May 2025.

Multiplication tables check

Schools must administer the multiplication tables check within the 2-week period from Monday 2 June 2025.

Phonics screening check

Schools must administer the phonics screening check within the 1-week period from Monday 9 June 2025.

Academic year 2025 to 2026

Reception baseline assessment

Schools must complete the reception baseline assessment for each child in the first 6 weeks after they enter reception.

Early years foundation stage profile assessment

Schools must complete the early years foundation stage profile assessment between between April and June of the academic year in which children turn 5, which is usually the reception year.

Optional key stage 1 tests

It is recommended that the optional key stage 1 tests are administered during May 2026.

Key stage 2 tests

The statutory key stage 2 tests are timetabled from Monday 11 May to Thursday 14 May 2026.

Multiplication tables check

Schools must administer the multiplication tables check within the 2-week period from Monday 1 June 2026.

Phonics screening check

Schools must administer the phonics screening check within the 1-week period from Monday 8 June 2026.

Published 18 January 2021
Last updated 212 NovemberFebruary 20232024 + show all updates

  1. Added dates and links for schools carrying out the Department for Education's early years foundation stage framework profile assessment in primary schools.

  2. Dates added for the academic year 2025 to 2026.

  3. Added downloadable key stage 1 assessments calendar with important dates for the academic year 2023 to 2024.

  4. Removed past assessment dates from the academic year 2022 to 2023. Added the downloadable KS2 assessments calendar for the academic year 2023 to 2024. Added the schedule of KS2 tests in May 2024.

  5. Added two downloadable calendars with important 2023 assessment dates for: key stage 1, key stage 2

  6. - Removed dates for 2021/2022 (as these tests are now in the past) - Updated KS2 test dates for the academic year 2022/23, to reflect the date changes following the announcement of a bank holiday on Monday 8 May 2023, and to include the full test timetable - Added test dates for the academic year 2024/2025 - Amended lines to reflect that KS1 tests will be non-statutory from 2023/2024 (applies to academic years 2023/2024 and 2024/2025) - Changed the multiplication tables check (MTC) period from a 3-week period to a 2-week period, as the third week is only applicable for timetable variations (applies to all academic years)

  7. Line added to the information about the KS1 tests for the 2023/24 academic year.

  8. Dates updated for the 2023/24 academic year.

  9. Primary assessment dates updated.

  10. First published.

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