The GL Assessment test involves two multiple choice papers — one for English and the other Maths — sat by pupils on November 21. There will be a supplementary test on December 12. The test is free.

The GL Assessment test involves two multiple choice papers — one for English and the other Maths — sat by pupils on November 21. There will be a supplementary test on December 12. The test is free.

The first paper, English, will last 50 minutes and will contain three reading passages and 65 questions. The second, maths, will require the children to answer 45 questions in 45 minutes.

There will be a short practice session before each paper and a break between the two papers. Children record their answers on a computer marked sheet — similar in appearance to a Lottery ticket.

The assessment paper will be marked independently of the schools by GL Assessment. The children will receive grades on February 6 — A, B1, B2, C1, C2 or D — and grade boundaries.

GL Assessment was founded by the National Foundation for Educational Research. It is the UK’s largest independent provider of educational assessments.