• About this guide
• The national curriculum
• Foundation stage (ages 3-5)
• Key stage 1 (ages 5-7)
• Key stage 2 (ages 7-11)
• Key stage 3 (ages 11-14)
• Life cycle of a test paper
• Frequently asked questions
• Tips for supporting your child
• At a glance
• Where to go for more information

A free official QCA guide to the national curriculum tests and tasks is now available (ref: QCA/05/1540). Download the guide from this page.

The 2005 official QCA guide is a straightforward explanation of the national curriculum tests and tasks that your child will complete at school between the ages of 3 and 14.

Mainly for parents, it provides information about:

• how a child's progress will be recorded
• the subjects that will be tested
• the types of tests and tasks that a child will complete
• when the tests will take place
• examples of the questions that may be asked
• information sources

The 2005 guide is produced by QCA.