QCDA Tests and exams support

This national curriculum assessment overview is where you can find information for your school about the national curriculum tests for key stage 1 and key stage 2.

You will find essential information and guidance for all aspects of the test cycle. QCDA also sends timely tests update emails that you can also view in this section of the website.

There have been a number of key changes to national curriculum assessment cycle for 2010. These changes are detailed below.  

For a visual overview of the key dates and deadlines for the 2010 test cycle, the new test timetable and step-by-step guide to successful test administration, see the key stage 2 national curriculum tests wallchart, under downloads.

Key stage 2 science tests

Following the publication of The Report of the Expert Group on Assessment the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has decided that there will be no whole cohort testing of science at the end of key stage 2 in 2010.  

From 2010, national standards in science at key stage 2 will be measured through the introduction of a new statutory sampling arrangement. The results of the new sampling arrangement will not be reported at school level.

Pupils and schools will be selected to form part of the statutory sample and all headteachers will need to ensure sample tests can be administered on the Friday of test week.

Full details of the statutory sampling arrangements for science will be sent to schools and local authorities in the autumn term.  

2010 test week timetable

The test timetable has been revised for 2010 with key stage 2 tests held from Monday 10 May to Thursday 13 May 2010.  

Monday	10 May	English reading test
Tuesday	11 May	English writing test (shorter task) and spelling test English writing test (longer task)
Wednesday	12 May	Mental mathematics test and Mathematics test A
Thursday	13 May	Mathematics test B
Friday	14 May	Science sampling tests (for selected pupils/schools)

 

NCA tools

NCA tools is a new single website for all national curriculum transactions. Through the NCA tools website schools can:

• order test papers
• register pupils for tests
• apply for access arrangements, special consideration and timetable variations
• notify QCDA if a pupil has cheated during a test
• submit teacher assessment data
• view pupils' test results.

To access the NCA tools website, you will need your registered email address. The headteacher's registered email is the same used to access the 2009 Test orders website. For security reasons, all previous nominated user accounts for the 2009 test cycle have been deleted.

Your headteacher will need to create new nominated user accounts for NCA tools.   For more information on NCA tools including how you access the website, see the Guide to using the NCA tools website.  

Single level tests pilot schools

Single level tests are part of the DCSFs' Making Good Progress pilot. Ten local authorities are involved in piloting the tests in key stage 2 English reading, English writing and mathematics.

Single level tests in mathematics will replace key stage 2 national curriculum tests in mathematics for pilot schools in 2010. Pilot schools will receive targeted communications regarding the assessment and reporting arrangements for mathematics.   Click on the link for more information on single level tests.