Key stage 2 statutory assessment
The Multiplication tables check ( MTC) is statutory for all year 4 pupils registered at state-funded maintained schools, special schools or academies, including free schools, in England.
For more information on MTC, read the statutory administration guidance on GOV.UK.
Key stage 2 tests
In 2026, the key stage 2 (KS2) tests are timetabled from Monday 11 May to Thursday 14 May.
Date: Monday 11 May 2026
Activity: English grammar, punctuation and spelling papers 1 and 2.
Date: Tuesday 12 May 2026
Activity: English reading.
Date: Wednesday 13 May 2026
Activity: Mathematics papers 1 and 2.
Date: Thursday 14 May 2026
Activity: Mathematics paper 3.
Resources to support teacher assessment and administering
Statutory guidance for end of KS2 tests and administering can be found on GOV.UK:
- End of Key Stage 2 National Curriculum Tests
- KS2: Assessment and Reporting Arrangements (ARA)
- KS2 Tests Access Arrangement
Local authority monitoring visits
Local authorities have a duty to ensure that assessment and reporting arrangements are administered appropriately by schools in their area.
The key statutory areas of responsibility are:
- monitoring of the phonics screening check
- monitoring of National Curriculum tests at the end of Key Stage 2
- moderating KS2 teacher assessment in English writing
- collection and reporting of the results for funded children at the end of the early years foundation stage
For further information, schools should refer to the local authority monitoring visits guidance on GOV.UK.
Teacher assessment at the end of KS2
Statutory guidance can be found on GOV.UK:
- KS2 Teacher Assessment guidance
- KS2 Teacher Assessment Frameworks
- KS2 Pre Key Stage Frameworks
- Teacher Assessment exemplification: KS2 Writing
- Teacher assessment guidance: KS2 science
For those pupils who do not access a subject specific curriculum, the Engagement Model Framework has replaced p-scales 1 to 4 and must be used to assess attainment. You can find the engagement model on GOV.UK.
Resources to support schools with external moderation
You can download or read online the following documents:
You should also read scenarios illustrating writing weakness in key stage 2.
Teacher assessment of science
Schools are required to submit a teacher assessment of science at the end of key stage 2. The KS2 science framework contains one standard: working at the expected standard.
Pupils who have completed the programme of study will be judged as either 'working at the expected standard' or 'has not met the expected standard'.
Schools should refer to teacher assessment guidance: KS2 science for exemplification (GOV.UK) of working at the expected standard.