Ofqual has confirmed the dates for the 2019 National Reference Test – the third year that the tests have been in operation.

The schools involved will administer the test between 25 February and 8 March 2019.

Each year a sample of English and maths GCSE students take largely the same test to establish, over time, if there is any change in how students perform at a national level. Results from the test are only used to measure changes in performance nationally with no results for individual students or schools.

Ofqual has confirmed that use of the information gained from the NRT could be used in GCSE awarding in 2019 at the earliest.

Around 350 schools have been contacted to take part for 2019.