Surviving school tests

What tests your kids will take at school

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Sending your kids to school is a nerve-wracking experience for most mums. To ease the worry, and make sure you and the kids are well prepared for what lies ahead, whatever their age, find out what you can expect them to be tested on every step of the way.

Age 5: Your kids will be assessed by teachers against 69 'early learning' targets, to measure their progress during nursery education in maths, reading, writing, physical and emotional development.
Find out how to cope with first day at school fears, six easy ways to prepare your kids for school and how much homework should they really be getting?

Age 7: Your kids will take Sats - which stand for National Curriculum Key Stage 1 tests - in English and maths. They are marked internally by class teachers, and national results are published, but no school league tables are made. What is the National Curriculum? What to do to help your kid improve at school, plus, how to choose the right primary school.

Age 10: Many primary schools begin coaching children to pass their Sats, on which schools are measured for Government targets and league tables. They will probably be given practice papers to do first.

Age 11: Tests become more important when your kids are 11 and they have to take externally marked Sats - National Curriculum Key Stage 2 tests - in English and maths. The results of these are published. Grammar school entrance tests are also taken in some places. We have all the advice you need on what to do if your child gets a bad school report, and helpful info on coping with school work and exams

Age 12: At 12, many secondary schools will run tests to assess their pupils' academic abilities to stream them in classes. Solve your back to school worries and read our top tips on choosing a secondary school. Plus, could your child be dyslexic?

Age 14: Sats in English and maths are still taken at age 14 in most schools, even though the requirement being removed after the 2008 marking fiasco. Dreading parents' evening? Don't, with our helpful guide to being prepared.

Age 15: This is when GCSE modules are taken, and you might want to encourage your kids to revise and know a bit more about what to expect with GCSES

Age16: At 16, your kids will sit their remaining GCSE exams. Read the parents guide to exams, and four ways to turn failure into a success

Age 17: AS-level modular exams take place at the end of the first year of A-level courses.

Age 18: Final A2 module exams are taken to complete A-levels, or other sixth form exams like the International Baccalaureate. Here are 9 reasons why you should send your child to university

Where to next?
Bullying: help and advice
Back to school money saving tips
How to help your teen get a job

By Alexandra Salaman

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