Key stage 2 English grammar, punctuation and spelling test

The levels 3-5 test

The levels 3-5 test has 2 components, worth a total of 70 marks:

A booklet of short-answer questions

A spelling task

Paper 1, the short-answer questions, consists of between 40 and 50 questions assessing grammar, punctuation and vocabulary. Each question is worth 1 or 2 marks with a total for the paper of 50 marks. The questions are:

Selected response items (such as multiple choice questions)

Short, open response items, where pupils may have to write a word, a few words or a sentence

Paper 2, the spelling task, consists of 20 sentences, which are read aloud by the test administrator. Each sentence has a word missing which the pupil must complete. The task is worth a total of 20 marks

The level 6 test

Schools may choose to administer the level 6 English grammar, punctuation and spelling test in addition to the levels 3-5 test. Headteachers should consider a pupil's expected attainment before entering them for the level 6 tests as they should already be demonstrating attainment above level 5. The pupil must achieve a level 5 in the levels 3-5 test and pass the corresponding level 6 test in the same year to be awarded an overall level 6 result.

Key stage 2 English reading test

The levels 3-6 test

The reading booklet contains 3 or 4 texts. The least demanding text comes first with the following texts increasing in level of difficulty. Pupils have a total of 1 hour to read the texts and complete the questions at their own pace.

The reading answer booklet consists of approximately 35 to 40 questions.

Schools may choose to administer the level 6 English reading test in addition to the levels 3-5 test. Headteachers should consider a pupil's expected attainment before entering them for the level 6 tests as they should already be demonstrating attainment above level 5. The pupil must achieve a level 5 in the levels 3-5 test and pass the corresponding level 6 test in the same year to be awarded an overall level 6 result.

Key stage 2 mathematics test

The levels 3-5 test

The levels 3-5 mathematics test consists of:

2 non-calculator papers, Paper 1 and Paper 2, each lasting 45 minutes

1 mental mathematics test, lasting 20 minutes

A pupil's marks from all 3 tests will be aggregated to calculate their overall mathematics level.

Schools may choose to administer the level 6 mathematics test in addition to the levels 3-5 test. Headteachers should consider a pupil's expected attainment before entering them for the level 6 tests as they should already be demonstrating attainment above level 5. The pupil must achieve a level 5 in the levels 3-5 test and pass the corresponding level 6 test in the same year to be awarded an overall level 6 result