FAQs

PTE was standardised on over 49,000 children.

PTM was standardised on over 45,000 children

The Excel version of the Group report for teachers contains question by question marks and so more detailed analysis for individual pupils may be carried out using this report. We are looking to add this information to the Individual student report for teachers in a post-publication phase of further report development.

The Programmes of Study include Attainment Targets which are expressed as ‘pupils should be taught to…’

The online Curriculum Links documents set out the Attainment Targets which are covered by each level of PTM and PTE . The tests, however, sample the curriculum and, at an hour to an hour and a quarter in length, cannot offer exhaustive links to all the Attainment Targets.

For example, in PTE9 spelling, four of the six Attainment Targets are covered. Those that are not (use of a dictionary and taking dictation) would not be appropriate to test in PTE. The Attainment Targets for reading comprehension for Y3/4 focus on the reading of books which cannot be the focus of PTE.

However the test does link to the crucial Attainment Targets of understanding what is read, dealing with a range of texts and retrieving information, making inferences and understanding how language, structure and presentation contribute to meaning. In this way, the tests can make a valuable contribution to the assessment of pupils against the Attainment Targets which will be further supported by the wider range of activity and work undertaken in the classroom and assessed on an ongoing basis by the teacher.

Please see the following links for more detailed information on the links to UK Curricula:

Progress Test in Maths

Progress Test in English

Progress Test in Science

The narratives in each Individual student report for teachers will be helpful in assessing whether or not the Attainment Targets have been achieved, as the commentary extrapolates from the test scores (and the skills being directly tested) to make a fair assumption about other skills or knowledge each pupil may be assumed to have acquired.

Yes. The Progress Test Series offers an objective, summative, once a year test with national comparison and can be placed alongside almost any assessment framework, including PiXL and the NAHT’s assessment framework.

While the Progress Test Series has been designed to sample and reflect the national curricula across the UK , it is not designed as a test of the curriculum as a whole. It is a summative assessment that reflects the curriculum and should be used diagnostically to assess where there are gaps in knowledge that has been taught and where pupils have particular strength that need to be challenged.

Each of our Progress Test Series assessments is trialled and standardised on groups of children across a specific age range. As such, we would generally advise that all students completing any Progress Test Series assessment should do so as per the advice given in our Test Level Age Guides.

PTE

PTM

PTS

Occasionally, it may not be appropriate for a child to sit the test that is consistent with their chronological age and, in these circumstances, we would advise schools to use their discretion - in the knowledge that test scores (including SAS, NPR, stanines and any indicators of future statutory test performance) will not be accurate but that value can still be realised from the analyses of test responses and implications for teaching and learning.

In the event of a child completing a Progress Test for which they do not fall within the standard age range, scores and test analysis will still be generated in the reporting area of Testwise. Where age-adjusted scores are concerned, the child will be considered to have been of an age of the closest point to their actual, chronological age for the purposes of such calculations. That is to say that a student of 11 years 4 months completing a test designed for children in the range of 7:06 to 9:06 will be considered to have been 9 years 6 months at the time of testing and all metrics should be considered in this context. The test outcomes will not carry the same validity as if an age-appropriate test had been completed and we would strongly advise that a conversation is held with one of our Education Advisors.

Yes! From 1st September 2025, all levels of Progress Test in English (PTE), Maths (PTM) and Science (PTS) will work on tablets – including Form B versions where available. 

No. Just open your usual browser – no apps or downloads needed. We recognise that schools use a variety of devices and will endeavour to support you with the devices and browsers that you use.  

Please see the following link regarding minimum system requirements. 

That’s okay – as long as you finish each part of the test in one go. Your progress is saved at the end of each test part, not during, so please ensure you finish each section of the assessment to save progress.

We’re still checking that results are fully consistent between tablets and other devices across all test levels. If you’re using test data for things like admissions or official reporting, we recommend sticking with the same format you’ve used before until this validation is complete. If you work as part of a school group, you may wish to check in with your assessment leader.  We will be in touch later in the Autumn Term to update you on the validation progress.

Try refreshing your browser and re-entering the keycode. If it still doesn’t work, contact our Customer Support team. 

The test content is the same, but the layout might look slightly different on a tablet. For example, you’ll see an on-screen keyboard and a scroll-down prompt if the question doesn’t fit on the screen.

No – you’ll need an internet connection to start and finish the test.

Yes – using a tablet can offer more flexibility, and all the usual accessibility features are still available. 

If you need any help, or have any further questions, please contact our Customer Support team: 

UK 

Phone: 0330 123 5375, option 2 
Email: [email protected] 

International 

Phone: +44 (0)330 123 5375, option 2 
Email: [email protected]