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
13/03/2026 - 09:49
The government has developed a child-friendly version of its Child Poverty Strategy, which can be used by teachers to have important conversations with children about the challenges facing families in poverty.
13/03/2026 - 09:30
An extra £40.5 million of funding has been allocated to support essential capital repairs and maintenance across schools, colleges and universities in Wales.
12/03/2026 - 10:03
Education Business LIVE 2026 will feature a session from NASBTT on how teacher training programmes can build trainees’ knowledge, attitudes and essential soft skills.
12/03/2026 - 09:48
An Ofsted report finds the challenges schools face in supporting children in care are mainly due to inconsistencies in local authority practice, unclear national expectations, and a lack of training for staff.
11/03/2026 - 14:00
The new measures will help universities meet their Prevent Duty, while the Office for Students will strengthen how it monitors whether universities are meeting Prevent responsibilities.
