Development of the key stage 3 science National Curriculum test (2008-2011)

Client: National Assessment Agency | NFER Contact: Catharine Parkes

This project will develop the key stage (KS) 3 National Curriculum tests in science at tiers 3-6 and 5-7. These assessments will form the statutory tests in science at the end of KS3 for pupils in England.

Purpose and aims

The aim of the project is to produce valid and reliable tests assessing the KS3 Programme of Study in science, so that they are inclusive and accessible for the majority of pupils in KS3. The tests can impact on teaching and learning and for this reason the team aims to produce tests that have a wide variety of contexts to ensure greater motivation and interest and to provide a resource for teachers. The NFER will work with the National Assessment Agency to ensure the tests evolve to support contemporary ideas and practice.

Research design and methods

Questions will be written initially by the team at NFER and other experienced writers and teachers. The appropriateness, accessibility, reliability and validity of the questions and draft papers will be determined by pre-testing on year 9 pupils at a similar time to the live tests.

The first pre-test takes place in June almost two years before the tests are due to go live. This is an item trial where the performance of individual items are analysed. This information determines the difficulty of items and provides information to select questions for the draft papers. At the second pre-test, the draft, reserve and anchor papers are trialled. The data helps to equate the draft and reserve papers to previous years, allowing draft cut scores to be set.

Impact and outcomes

The project aims to produce:

• high quality tests in science to assess pupils reliably at the end of KS3
• mark schemes that are easy to apply and allow reliable marking
• advice produced in conjunction with Special Educational Needs (SEN) consultants to ensure the materials are accessible for a wide variety of pupils
• advice on the placement of draft cut scores.

Time scale: March 2006 - June 2011

NFER Project Code: SKV