National curriculum tests - Key stage 2 - English grammar, punctuation and spelling Mark schemes - Sample booklet

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Pentious

National curriculum tests for Key stage 2 provide sample mark schemes for an English grammar, punctuation and spelling test, setting out how assessment will work from 2016. The booklet explains the Standards and Testing Agency’s role, the purpose of sample materials for teacher preparation, and the test’s question structure across Paper 1 (questions) and Paper 2 (spelling). It also describes content domain coverage and guidance for marking, using teacher-reviewed frameworks and pupil examples from trialling.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages26

Reading Time1 h 6 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Structure of the key stage 2 English grammar, punctuation and spelling test

Content domain coverage

Paper 1: questions

Content domain coverage for Paper 1: questions

General guidance on marking Paper 1: questions

Explanation of the mark schemes for Paper 1: questions

Mark schemes for Paper 1: questions

Paper 2: spelling

Content domain coverage for Paper 2: spelling

General guidance on marking Paper 2: spelling

Pupil version of Paper 2: spelling

Mark schemes for Paper 2: spelling

National curriculum tests Key stage 2 English grammar, punctuation and spelling Mark schemes SAMPLE BOOKLET Published July 2015 This sample test indicates how the national curriculum will be assessed from 2016. Further information is [available on GOV.UK at](available on GOV.UK at www.gov.uk/sta)[ www.gov.uk/sta](available on GOV.UK at www.gov.uk/sta). Sample key stage 2 English grammar, punctuation and spelling test mark schemes [BLANK PAGE] This page is intentionally blank. Sample key stage 2 English grammar, punctuation and spelling test mark schemes Contents 1. Introduction 4 2. Structure of the key stage 2 English grammar, punctuation and spelling test 4 3. Content domain coverage 4 4. Paper 1: questions 5 4.1 Content domain coverage for Paper 1: questions 5 4.2 General guidance on marking Paper 1: questions 7 4.3 Explanation of the mark schemes for Paper 1: questions 9 5. Mark schemes for Paper 1: questions 10 6. Paper 2: spelling 23 6.1 Content domain coverage for Paper 2: spelling 23 6.2 General guidance on marking Paper 2: spelling 23 6.3 Pupil version of Paper 2: spelling 23 7. Mark schemes for Paper 2: spelling 24 Sample key stage 2 English grammar, punctuation and spelling test mark schemes 1. Introduction The Standards and Testing Agency (STA) is responsible for the development and delivery of statutory tests and assessments. STA is an executive agency of the Department for Education. The 2014 national curriculum will be assessed for the first time in May 2016. The sample test and mark schemes set out how the new national curriculum will be assessed from 2016 onwards. This test has been developed to meet the specification set out in the test framework for English grammar, punctuation and spelling at key stage 2. The test frameworks are on the [GOV.UK website at www.gov.uk/sta](GOV.UK website at www.gov.uk/sta). A new test and mark scheme will be developed each year. The key stage 2 tests will be marked by external markers. The sample tests will be marked by teachers if they are used to prepare pupils for the 2016 tests. Scaled score conversion tables are not included in this document. Conversion tables are produced as part of the standard-setting process. As the sample tests are not subject to standard setting, they are not available for these tests. Scaled score conversion tables for the 2016 tests will be published [at www.gov.uk/sta in](at www.gov.uk/sta in) June 2016. A variety of questions has been included in this sample test to demonstrate the formats and curriculum content that pupils may encounter in a live test. A commentary is provided in the mark scheme that accompanies each question. This sample test mark scheme is provided to give teachers an indication of how the tests will be marked. The mark schemes for the sample tests have been subject to a shorter process than the full, rigorous development process that is used for live mark schemes. The pupil examples are based on responses gathered from the test trialling process. The sample test and mark schemes have been reviewed by teachers and other expert reviewers. 2. Structure of the key stage 2 English grammar, punctuation and spelling test The key stage 2 English grammar, punctuation and spelling test materials comprise: • Paper 1: questions (50 marks) • Paper 2: spelling (20 marks) 3. Content domain coverage The sample test meets the specification set out in the test framework. Tables 1 and 3 set out the areas of the content domain that are assessed in sample test papers 1 and 2. Sample key stage 2 English grammar, punctuation and spelling test mark schemes 4. Paper 1: questions 4.1 Content domain coverage for Paper 1: questions Table 1 sets out the content domain coverage for questions in Paper 1. Information relating to the codes in Table 1 can be found in the key stage 2 English grammar, punctuation and spelling test framework. Table 1: Content domain coverage

FAQs

What is the purpose of this Key stage 2 sample test and mark scheme booklet?

It provides an indication of how the Key stage 2 English grammar, punctuation and spelling tests will be marked, and shows how assessment will work from 2016 onward.

How is the Key stage 2 English grammar, punctuation and spelling test structured?

It consists of Paper 1: questions (50 marks) and Paper 2: spelling (20 marks).

Who marks the Key stage 2 tests and how are sample tests used?

The Key stage 2 tests are marked by external markers. Sample tests are marked by teachers if used to prepare pupils for the 2016 tests.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Pentious