National Reference Test given the go ahead for 2017
The first National Reference Test (NRT), designed to better inform the awarding of GCSE grades, has been given the go ahead to take place in 2017.
Ofqual has confirmed that around 18,000 students will take the tests in February and March 2017, following careful consideration of the outcomes of a trial test held in March this year.
The tests are designed to monitor if there is any change in how students perform at national level over time, which will provide valuable additional information for the awarding GCSE grades. It is hoped that the NRT can be used to gauge whether there has been genuine improvements in pupil performance that would potentially justify a national rise in GCSE pass rates.
Sally Collier, chief regulator, Ofqual, said: “The trial went very smoothly and has demonstrated that the test is ready to go live. We will make sure that schools taking part are well supported and more generally explain how the results have a clear potential to benefit GCSE awarding.”
Read moreLatest News
03/02/2026 - 10:48
Education Business LIVE on 26 March will be hosting a practitioner-focused roundtable led by Whole School SEND.
03/02/2026 - 10:38
The Council for Disabled Children (CDC) and IMPOWER have announced a new partnership offering insight and practical support to local SEND systems at a critical point in SEND system reform.
02/02/2026 - 13:08
The Department for Education has opened applications for 1,500 schools to sign up for its Best Start free breakfast clubs in September.
02/02/2026 - 09:36
The Welsh Government has published a consultation to gain views on extending its Talk With Me programme so that it can support 5 to 11-year-olds with their speech, language and communication skills.
30/01/2026 - 10:20
Ordnance Survey (OS) is offering its free education resource for the teaching of geography to 1,800 primary and secondary schools in some of the most deprived areas of Great Britain.
