About PTS

The Progress Test in Science (PTS) provides a reliable assessment of students’ attainment in science. PTS measures students’ knowledge and understanding of science, as well as their application of this knowledge and understanding. Their ability to work scientifically is also assessed.

The Progress Test in Science series consists of two suites of tests, covering the age range 4 to 14+ years. You can administer once a year choosing just one of the two forms, or you can test twice in the year to measure progress, retention of knowledge, effectiveness of interventions or provide a baseline. For more information on testing twice a year please consult Choosing a test type and level and When to test with PTS.

Form A consists of 7 tests; 6 tests covering the age range 7 to 14+ years (PTS 8 to 14) and an additional test for students aged between 11 and 12 years, which can be used as a transition test on entry to secondary education (PTS 11T).

Form B consists of 9 tests covering the age range 6 to 14+ years (PTM 7 to 15).

Please see Choosing a test type and level for further details about the availability of test levels in different formats.

The Progress Test in Science series has been developed to a high specification and standardised on a nationwide sample of students in the UK, with a separate and additional standardisation in Northern Ireland. The tests yield both raw scores and standardised scores, which will provide teachers with much useful information that can be used for both formative and summative purposes: 

• To identify students who need additional support or extension work
• To identify patterns of performance and areas for development for the whole class 
• To compare students with others in the same age group nationally 
• To compare a student’s progress from one year to the next (where the preceding test in the series has been administered)
• To measure a student’s baseline, progress, retention or effectiveness of interventions by testing twice in the academic year (please see When to Test with PTS for further information).

• Assesses students’ knowledge, understanding and application in science
• Tracks progress at individual and cohort level
• Indicates possible gaps in learning
• Standardised on a large sample of students, with benchmarks verified each year based on analysis of over half a million students across all tests
• Two suites of tests allowing for greater flexibility and choice