Key stage 3 covers children aged 11-14 in years 7, 8 and 9 at school.

Assessment at key stage 3

Pupils will normally be 14 at the end of key stage 3, although a minority may be slightly younger or older. A typical 14-year-old will normally be working at level 5 or 6.

Pupils working at levels 4-7 in English, 3-7 in science and 3-8 in mathematics will be assessed by the statutory key stage 3 tests.

QCA also provides optional tasks to support teacher assessment of pupils working below the level of the tests or above the level of the tests. Pupils who did not achieve level 4 at the end of key stage 2 are eligible to take the year 7 progress tests.

Progress of pupils in key stage 3 can be monitored using the optional years 7 and 8 tests.

Statutory tests

Review procedure

By 5 July 2005 schools should have received all marked scripts for key stage 3 mathematics and science together with completed marksheets giving the results achieved by each pupil.

The marking of pupils' tests will have been checked carefully before the papers are returned to schools. However, if a school feels that a pupil has been awarded the wrong level, a review can be requested. Guidance on requesting reviews is given in the Information for schools (RL1) document. Schools should receive the Information for Schools booklet for key stage 3 mathematics and science by 5 July 2005. A copy of the booklet can be downloaded from this site.

Requests for reviews should follow the procedures set out in the documents. This includes clearly identifying where the mark scheme has not been followed accurately in a question or questions. Reviews will not be discussed over the telephone.

All requests for reviews of marking of key stage 3 mathematics and science must be submitted by 15 July 2005.

On 24 August 2005 schools should have received all marked scripts for key stage 3 English and a results letter detailing the levels and total marks achieved for reading, writing and English overall for each pupil.

Schools should have received the Information for Schools booklet for key stage 3 English by 24 August 2005. A copy of the booklet can be downloaded from this site.

All requests for reviews of marking of key stage 3 English must be submitted by 16 September 2005.

Schools should receive the Information for Schools booklet for year 7 progress tests by 5 July 2005. Further information on year 7 progress review including a copy of the booklet can be downloaded from this site.

At the end of key stage 3 children take the following tests:

• English reading paper
  (levels 4-7)
• English writing paper
  (levels 4-7)
• English Shakespeare paper: assessing reading and writing
  (levels 4-7)

• Mathematics paper 1
  (levels 3-5; 4-6; 5-7 and 6-8)
• Mathematics paper 2
  (levels 3-5, 4-6, 5-7 and 6-8)
• Mental mathematics test A
  (for use with levels 4-6; 5-7 and 6-8)
• Mental mathematics test B
  (for use with levels 4-6; 5-7 and 6-8)
• Mental mathematics test C
  (for use with levels 3-5)

• Science paper 1
  (levels 3-6 and 5-7)
• Science paper 2
  (levels 3-6 and 5-7)