Key stage 2 tests: access arrangements
Guidance for schools about access arrangements available for pupils participating in 20252026 key stage 2 (KS2) national curriculum tests (commonly called SATs).
- From:
- Standards and Testing Agency
- Published
- 4 December 2017
- Last updated
-
1413 October20242025 — See all updates
Documents
Details
Some pupils with specific needs may need additional arrangements so they can take part in KS2 tests.
Types of support include:
- early opening of test packs, for schools to adapt test papers
- additional time for pupils to complete the tests
- the use of scribes, word processors or other technical or electronic aids
- making transcripts
- written or oral translations
- readers
- the use of prompts and rest breaks
- the use of accessibility objects in the mathematics test
- highlighter pens
- arrangements for pupils who are ill or are injured at the time of the tests
Schools must consider whether any of their pupils will need access arrangements before they administer the tests. The guidance includes details about the different arrangements.
Updates to this page
Published 4 December 2017
Last updated 1413 October 2024
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Update history
2025-10-13 09:30
Updated for the academic year 2025 to 2026.
2024-10-14 09:30
Updated for the academic year 2024 to 2025.
2024-03-18 09:30
Updated section 4.1 to provide important additional information: “If schools use an electronic or a web-based translation service to prepare a translation, they must ensure it is secure and any data or content placed there must not be shared with, or visible to, any other party. Schools are responsible for checking the security of translation services before use.”
2023-10-09 09:53
Updated guidance for the academic year 2023 to 2024.
2022-10-10 09:18
Updated guidance for the 2022-23 assessment cycle.
Details
Some pupils with specific needs may need additional arrangements so they can take part in KS2 tests.
Types of support include:
- early opening of test packs, for schools to adapt test papers
- additional time for pupils to complete the tests
- the use of scribes, word processors or other technical or electronic aids
- making transcripts
- written or oral translations
- readers
- the use of prompts and rest breaks
- the use of accessibility objects in the mathematics test
- highlighter pens
- arrangements for pupils who are ill or are injured at the time of the tests
Schools must consider whether any of their pupils will need access arrangements before they administer the tests. The guidance includes details about the different arrangements.
Updates to this page
Sign up for emails or print this page
Update history
2025-10-13 09:30
Updated for the academic year 2025 to 2026.
2024-10-14 09:30
Updated for the academic year 2024 to 2025.
2024-03-18 09:30
Updated section 4.1 to provide important additional information: “If schools use an electronic or a web-based translation service to prepare a translation, they must ensure it is secure and any data or content placed there must not be shared with, or visible to, any other party. Schools are responsible for checking the security of translation services before use.”
2023-10-09 09:53
Updated guidance for the academic year 2023 to 2024.
2022-10-10 09:18
Updated guidance for the 2022-23 assessment cycle.