Key stage 1 tests (optional): Key Facts and Dates
Everything teachers need to know about the key stage 1 tests, with dates and links from GOV.UK.
- Year group
- Year 2
- Status
- Optional
- 2026 to 2027
- Recommended during May 2027
- Last checked
- 2026-10-20
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Since 2024 the end of KS1 tests are optional. STA still publishes papers each year for schools to use in May, with mark schemes and scaled-score tables.
Optional English reading, GPS and mathematics tests.
Papers, timings and marks
| Paper | Subject | Time | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: spelling | English grammar, punctuation and spelling | not confirmed | – |
| Paper 2: questions | English grammar, punctuation and spelling | not confirmed | – |
| Paper 1: reading prompt and answer booklet | English reading | 30 min (approximately; not strictly timed) | 20 |
| Paper 2: reading booklet and reading answer booklet | English reading | 40 min (approximately; not strictly timed) | 20 |
| Paper 1: arithmetic | Mathematics | 20 min (approximately; not strictly timed) | 25 |
| Paper 2: reasoning | Mathematics | 35 min (approximately (about 30 minutes for the written questions); not strictly timed; starts with a practice aural question and 5 aural questions) | 35 |
Key dates
Recommended during May 2027
Good to know
- Recommended window: May
- Materials year: 2,026
- Results: Scaled score conversion tables published in June.
Not yet confirmed by us: GPS paper marks and timings not confirmed (STA mark scheme PDF could not be fetched).. Check the official documents.
Official documents
Facts checked against: gov.uk, gov.uk, gov.uk, assets.publishing.service.gov.uk, assets.publishing.service.gov.uk, assets.publishing.service.gov.uk, assets.publishing.service.gov.uk, assets.publishing.service.gov.uk, assets.publishing.service.gov.uk · last checked 2026-10-20.
Year group packs
Other assessments: Reception baseline assessment (RBA) · Phonics screening check · Multiplication tables check (MTC) · Key stage 2 national curriculum tests (SATs) · Key stage 2 teacher assessment (English writing, science).
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Facts and dates are from the Standards and Testing Agency and DfE pages on GOV.UK, summarised in our own words; no test papers or questions are reproduced. Checked on 2026-10-20: always check the current STA guidance.
Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department for Education or the Standards and Testing Agency.