National Assessments

A collection of documents published by Ofqual in relation to National Assessments (some of which are also known as SATs).

In regulating national assessments, Ofqual’s objectives are to promote standards and confidence in statutory early years and national curriculum assessments, such as those at key stage 1 and key stage 2 (taken during state primary education). We provide an independent view on the validity of assessment, in particular on technical aspects such as test development, standard setting and marking. We carry out our work through monitoring and providing feedback on assessment processes, carrying out research and reporting publically on key aspects of assessment validity.

National curriculum assessments are developed and delivered by the Standards and Testing Agency (STA), part of the Department for Education. The Standards and Testing Agency has a statutory duty to investigate matters which relate to the accuracy or correctness of results or outcomes of national curriculum assessments; we pass on complaints we receive to the STA for investigation.

Additional information

• how to complain to the STA
• how to report malpractice in national curriculum assessments
• information about early years assessments, also the responsibility of the Department for Education

Regulatory framework

More information on Ofqual’s specific powers and duties in relation to national assessments can be found in our Regulatory framework for national assessments.

Annual Reports

1. National assessments regulation annual report 2019
   • 28 January 2020
   • Corporate report
2. National assessments regulation annual report 2018
   • 25 October 2018
   • Corporate report
3. National assessments regulation annual report 2017
   • 14 December 2017
   • Corporate report

Research and other publications

1. Consultation response regarding Early Years reforms
   • 5 February 2020
   • Correspondence
2. Memorandum of Understanding: Ofqual and STA
   • 6 September 2019
   • Notice
3. A review of approaches to assessing writing at the end of primary education
   • 22 March 2019
   • Research and analysis
4. Letters regarding national assessments supplier change from 2020
   • 14 September 2018
   • Correspondence
5. Moderation of teacher assessments
   • 29 March 2018
   • News story
6. Observations on the consistency of moderator judgements
   • 29 March 2018
   • Research and analysis
7. Regulatory framework for national assessments
   • 6 March 2018
   • Statutory guidance
8. Regulating national assessments
   • 6 March 2018
   • Consultation outcome
9. Research into national curriculum testing at key stage 2
   • 5 October 2017
   • News story
10. Content validation study: 2016 key stage 2 English and maths tests
    • 5 October 2017
    • Research and analysis
11. Primary assessment consultations: Ofqual’s response
    • 22 June 2017
    • Correspondence

Published 12 September 2018
Last updated 5 February 2020 + show all updates

1. 5 February 2020

   Added link to Ofqual response to DfE consultation on Early Years Foundation Stage reforms.

2. 28 January 2020

   Added National assessments regulation annual report 2019.
3. 9 January 2020

   Added memorandum of understanding between Ofqual and STA to the research and other publications section.

4. 27 March 2019

   Added ‘A review of approaches to assessing writing at the end of primary education’ to the research collection.

5. 25 October 2018

   Added annual report for 2018.

6. 18 September 2018

   Added ‘letters regarding national assessments supplier change from 2020’.

7. 12 September 2018

   First published.

Contents