Cambridge Primary

Cambridge Primary Progression Tests

Cambridge Primary Progression tests assess learners’ performance and progress. They are optional, and you
can use them whenever you feel your learners are ready. We suggest the most appropriate time is towards the
end of the school year. This offers an opportunity to review what has been learned during the year and allows
time after the test for evaluation and feedback. Progression tests assume competency in English, but they do not
require English to be the learner’s first language.

The tests are designed to be used with the Cambridge Primary Curriculum Frameworks. Curriculum frameworks
form the basis of what is tested, so questions in our Progression tests are linked to the strands and learning
objectives. For detailed information on which learning objectives make up each assessment strand, please refer
to the Curriculum Frameworks on each subject page.

You can download paper-based versions and associated mark schemes from the individual subject pages.

Administering the tests

Progression Tests are designed for use in your classroom, making them easier to use in lesson time as part of
the teaching day. Think about the load on your learners when you are scheduling the tests and avoid arranging
lots of tests for the same day (the papers do not have to be taken one after the other or in consecutive order).
Choose the best order and time to suit you and your learners.

Guidelines for administering Progression tests

It is important to follow our guidelines to make sure that the tests are carried out properly. Remember that the
success and reliability of Progression tests depends on how well you use them:
• Cover up any display material in your classroom such as diagrams, posters or wall charts which might be
helpful during the test.
• Make sure that learners work on their own throughout the test. They should not talk, communicate or copy
each other during the test.
• Make sure that learners do not have access to extra resources that may be of help in the test, for example
a number line or a calculator in a paper where it is not permitted.
• Encourage learners to complete what they can and reassure them not to worry if there is something they
cannot do.
• Encourage learners to cross out, rather than rub out, unwanted answers. Sometimes it is better to use an
eraser, for example on graphs and diagrams, or where a correct answer is indicated by ticking, shading or
underlining.
• For Science and Mathematics, encourage learners to show their working and then write their final answer
on the answer line provided.
• Learners may use a calculator for any of the question papers unless otherwise stated on the front cover,
such as Mathematics paper 2.
• Before starting the test, make sure that all learners have the equipment they need to complete the test. If
any additional materials are required, for example rulers, calculator, protractors or tracing paper, this is
stated on the front of the test paper.

Cambridge Primary Progression tests

 • At the start of the test, read out the instructions on the front cover and let learners know how long they
have to complete the questions. Remind learners that they must not talk or communicate with each other
during the test. When you have finished giving the instructions, check that all learners have understood
and ask whether there are any questions before starting.
• When the test is in progress, you can answer questions about the instructions and the timing of the tests.
You must not read words for learners, help with spelling, rephrase questions or provide any information
which could give an unfair advantage.
• Always let learners know when there are 5 minutes of the test time remaining.
• At the end of the test tell the class to finish the line they are writing and to put their pens/pencils down.
• Collect in all copies of the tests, and all associated printed materials for all tests. It is important to hold the
tests securely so that you can use them with future classes.

Learners with additional requirements

Cambridge Primary Progression tests offer the flexibility to be administered in a way which is most appropriate
for individual learners. Learners with attention-related difficulties, for example, may benefit from breaking the test
down into shorter sections, or working away from the main group.

You can allow up to 25% additional time for learners with physical impairment. Learners with physical or sensory
impairment can use whatever aids are necessary to make the tests accessible. It is up to you as the teacher to
decide the special arrangements that are appropriate. If you would like more information on the type of special
arrangements that we allow, refer to the appropriate section in the Handbook for Centres.

Marking the tests

The mark schemes provide all the information necessary to mark the test. Each paper has an associated mark
scheme. Download both from the individual subject pages or go to the Test management area when you
administer a test.

See our ‘Frequently asked questions’ below for general guidance that you should follow unless the mark schemes
state otherwise.

• I know what the answers should be. Do I still need to refer to the mark scheme?
It is essential that you refer to the mark schemes when you are marking Progression tests. The mark
schemes provide full guidance on acceptable and unacceptable answers, including examples of typical
responses to illustrate the marking points.

Where more than one mark is available for a question, the mark scheme explains how the marks should be
awarded.

• The learner has given an alternative correct answer to the one in the mark scheme. Is this
acceptable?

Sometimes a learner may produce an alternative answer to the one in the mark scheme. In these cases, you
will need to use your professional judgement to decide whether the answer is acceptable. You should keep a
record of any alternative responses and how you decide to mark them. This will help you apply the same
judgements consistently in the future.

• The learner has given more than one answer. Which one should I mark?
If all the answers given are correct and do not contradict each other (even if some are irrelevant), you can
award the marks.

If both incorrect and correct answers are given you cannot award the marks for the correct answers, except
where specific guidance is provided in the mark scheme.

Cambridge Primary Progression tests 2

 • The answer is almost correct. Can I award half marks?
Do not award half marks.

• The answer is really good. Can I give extra marks?

Do not award more than the maximum number of marks available, regardless of the quality of the answer.

• The answer is really bad. Can I take marks away?

Do not take marks away. Marks are awarded for correct answers according to the mark scheme.

• What do I do if the answer is correct but the working out is wrong?

A correct answer should always be awarded marks, even if the working shown is wrong.

For some questions, marks are available for showing the correct method even if the final answer is incorrect.
You can award the method marks if the learner has used the correct method but given the wrong answer. You
can also award method marks if the learner has set up and performed a calculation correctly but using
incorrect values. The mark scheme will indicate where method marks can be awarded.

Sometimes a learner uses an answer in the following parts of a question or questions. Where the carried
forward answer is incorrect, you should award all the available marks for the question, provided the learner
has performed the correct calculation. Any places where this is a consideration are indicated clearly in the
mark scheme. In these cases, you must follow the learner’s working to determine whether marks should be
given or not.

• The learner has given an incorrect response on the answer line or has left the answer line blank,
but the correct answer appears elsewhere. Can I award the marks?

You can award full marks if the correct answer is shown elsewhere and it is clear the learner has made a
mistake in copying the answer or has left the answer line blank by mistake.

• The learner has answered one part of a question correctly and the other part incorrectly. Can I
award the marks?

You should consider each question and part question independently. Do not disallow marks for a correct
answer if it is contradicted by another answer to a different question or part question.

• The learner has recorded their answer in the wrong place. Can I mark the answer?
If the answer line is blank but you can see the correct answer somewhere else, for example an annotation on
a graph or at the end of the working out, you may award the marks, provided it is clear that the learner has
understood the requirements of the question.

• The learner has given a correct answer and crossed it out. Can I award the marks?
You can mark any legible crossed-out work that has not been replaced. Ignore crossed-out work that has
been replaced. If additional information contradicts the first answer, the marks should not be awarded, but
marks for correct working out can still be gained.

• The learner has indicated a correct answer but not in the specified way. Can I award the marks?
You can award marks for an unambiguous indication of the correct answer, for example where the learner has
circled or ticked the correct answer instead of using underlining.

• The learner has given a correct answer and an incorrect answer on the answer line. Can I award
the marks?

No, you should not award the marks.

Cambridge Primary Progression tests 3

 • How should I record the marks?
Each question on the test paper has a mark in brackets. You can either circle the mark if the answer is correct
or write the number of marks awarded next to mark in the brackets. Use a pen of a different colour to that
used by learners so that the marks and your comments are easy to see.

• How should I expect learners to present their answers for Science and Mathematics?
Learners may use diagrams, symbols or words for explanations or responses.

Any part of speech is acceptable, for example, refraction, refracting, refracted and singular and plural forms
are acceptable unless otherwise stated, for example, alveolus, alveoli.

For general vocabulary, do not penalise spelling errors where the meaning is clear. However, in the case of
specific scientific vocabulary, only accept misspellings if the learner’s response is phonetically equivalent to
the correct answer and is not too close to another incorrect word. For example, where the answer should be
antennae, credit should be given for antenna but not for anthen (too close for anther). If a learner’s response
is numerically or algebraically equivalent to the answer in the mark scheme, you should award the mark
unless a particular form of answer was specified by the question.

For mathematics, the mark schemes start with a table giving general guidelines on marking answers involving
number and place value, and units of length, mass, money or duration. If the mark scheme does not specify
the correct unit for an answer, refer to these general guidelines. For questions involving other quantities,
correct units are given in the answers.

Any method of setting out working should be accepted.

Cambridge Primary Progression tests 4

Understanding Progression test performance grades
A new set of performance grades will be used from 2023 for Cambridge Primary Progression tests in Mathematics,
Science, English and English as a Second Language. The six new performance grades are: Outstanding, High,
Good, Aspiring, Basic and Unclassified. The same system will also be used for the Cambridge Checkpoint tests that
are available for Stages 6 and 9. These grades replace the Bronze, Silver and Gold grades. In this way, teachers
can better track performance as their learners move through the different stages of the curriculum.

New performance grades for

New performance grade descriptors
Checkpoint and Progression tests

Unclassified

Learners have generally shown a basic level of achievement.

Whilst demonstrating a limited level of understanding,
Basic knowledge and skills of the curriculum content, they would
benefit from a focus on all areas of the curriculum they found
challenging.

Aspiring

Learners have generally shown a good level of achievement.

They have demonstrated a secure level of understanding,
Good knowledge and skills of most of the curriculum content, but
would benefit from a focus on the specific areas of the
curriculum they found challenging.

High

Learners have generally shown an outstanding level of

achievement. They have demonstrated a comprehensive
Outstanding level of understanding, knowledge and skills of the curriculum
content, and should be very well prepared for the next stage
of learning.

The performance grade is presented alongside the relevant stage and the percentage of total marks achieved.
The results are calculated and presented in the same way for all subjects.

The information below explains how to calculate results for your learners and what the results mean.

Once you have marked your learners’ tests you will have a total number of marks for each learner. You can
calculate the grades manually:
• Convert the total mark to a percentage of the total marks achieved (as the Progression test consists of
more than one paper you should add together results for all the papers).

Cambridge Primary Progression tests 5

Analysing results using the Report dashboard

The reporting service on the Cambridge Primary support site allows you to use learners’ test results to produce
feedback reports analysing their performance and progress.

There are lots of options to choose from, including:

• comparing results of learners and learner groups over time
• comparing performance on different questions or topics
• comparing performance with other Cambridge Primary learners who have taken the same tests.

You can use the information in the reports in a variety of ways:

• to identify strengths and weaknesses in individual learners or learner groups
• to track results of learners and learner groups
• to report back to learners, parents and teaching staff
• to reflect and enhance teaching and learning in your school.

To view reports, click on Reports on the left-hand side main menu. This takes you to the Report dashboard
where you can view reports by:
• Learner Groups
• Learners
• Tests

1. Learner groups
Under the Learner groups heading on the dashboard, a teacher can see all the learner groups they are assigned
to, the number of learners in each learner group and, for each learner group, the distribution of grades (Bronze,
Silver or Gold) across all tests taken by each of the learners in that learner group.

A school administrator can see all the learner groups in the school, the number of learners in each learner group and,
for each learner group, the distribution of performance grades across all tests taken by the learners in that learner
group.

You can filter the report using the drop-down menus in the filter banner. To restrict the learner groups that show, you
can filter by the learner group teaching stage. You can filter the tests included in the distribution of performance
grades by the test subject and the test stage.

Learner groups can be sorted in ascending or descending order by name or by the number of learners in the learner
groups using the sort icons next to the column headings.

The 'Split by gender' tick box at the bottom of the report allows you to compare the performance of boys and girls
within a learner group.
2. Learners
Under the Learners heading on the dashboard, a teacher can see all the learners that are in the learner groups
they are assigned to. Against each learner is a bar showing the percentage mark and performance grade
achieved for the latest test taken by the learner for each of the following subjects:
• English
• English as a Second Language (E2L)
• Mathematics
• Science

A school administrator can see the same information for all the learners in the school.

Cambridge Primary Progression tests 6

If there are no results at all for a single subject (for example if no learners have taken the E2L test) then that
subject heading and column will not display.

You can sort the learners alphabetically by name or by the highest of lowest percentage achieved in a particular
subject by clicking on the sort icons. To find an individual learner in the list, you can filter the list by typing an
individual learner's name (or part of their name) into the learner name filter on the dark banner.

3. Tests
Under the Tests heading on the dashboard, a teacher can see a list of all the tests taken by the learners in those
learner groups assigned to them. For each test they can see the number of learners who took the test and the
distribution of performance grades across those learners.

A school administrator can see a list of all the tests taken by all the learners in the school. For each test they can
see the number of learners in the school who took that test and the distribution of performance grades.

The 'Split by gender' tick box at the bottom of the report allows you to compare the performance of boys and girls
for each test.

The report can be filtered by test subject, test stage, and the year the test was published using the drop-down
menus in the dark filter banner.

Tests can be sorted by test name and number of learners using the sort icons next to the column headings.

A school administrator can see data for all the learners in the school, whereas a teacher can see data for all the
learners in the learner groups they are assigned to.

Download the data behind each report into a spreadsheet by clicking on the following button:

You can print each report page in full by clicking on the following button:

Alternatively, you can print each part of the report page separately by clicking on the symbol at the top
right of each part of the report you want to print.

1. Learner group reports

To access the reports for a learner group, go to the Learner groups section of the dashboard, and click on an
individual learner group.

Learner overview (for the selected learner group)

The Learner overview report for a learner group shows the list of learners in the selected group and the
percentage mark and performance grades achieved for the most recent Progression test taken for each subject.
Sorting is available by learner name and the percentage achieved and is accessed by clicking on the sort icons
next to the column headings.

Click on a learner's name to access the learner reports for that learner.

Test overview (for the selected learner group)

The Test overview report for a learner group shows a list of all tests taken by learners in a selected group, the
number of learners in the group who took the test and the distribution of performance grades across all
learners in the group who took the test.

Cambridge Primary Progression tests 7

From the filter banner, you can filter the report by test subject, test stage and the year the test was published. If
there are no results for a test it will not be listed. You can split results by gender using the Split by gender tick
box.

Sorting by test name and the number of learners is available by clicking on the sort icons next to the column
headings.

You can click on a test title to view the test reports for that test for the learner group.

Test reports (for the selected learner group)

By clicking on a test on the Test Overview report above, you can view the test reports for that test for the learner
group (the Test Overview report is accessed by clicking on a learner group from the Learner groups section of
the dashboard). The test reports show:

Distribution of grades for the learner group

The Distribution of grades report shows the percentage distribution of performance grades achieved for the test
by the learners in the learner group.

Learner comparison for the learner group

The Learner comparison report shows a list of all the learners in the learner group who took the test. The bars
next to each learner's name show the percentage achieved.

You can sort by learner name and percentage achieved by clicking on the sort icons, and you can search for a
learner by using the learner name filter on the filter banner.

Using the comparison drop-down at the bottom of this report, you can compare each learner's percentage
achieved in the test.

Analysis by reporting strand for the learner group

The Analysis by reporting sub-strand report for a learner group shows a list of all the reporting sub-strands
covered by the test, then for each reporting sub-strand, the maximum number of marks available across all the
questions for that reporting sub-strand, and the average percentage achieved by the learners in the group.

The comparison drop-down is available for this report with the same comparisons as the previous report. Click on
the 'i' icon to see a description of each reporting sub-strand.

Analysis by learning objective for the learner group

The Analysis by learning objective report for a learner group shows a list of all the learning objectives covered by
the test, then for each learning objective, the maximum number of marks available across all the questions for
that learning objective, and the average percentage achieved by the learners in the group.

The comparison drop-down is available for this report with the same comparisons as the previous report. Click on
the 'i' icon to see a description of each learning objective.

Analysis by question for the learner group

The Analysis by question report for a learner group shows a list of all the questions for each paper in the test,
then for each question, the average mark achieved by the learners in the group, and the maximum mark
available. The report shows the questions for the first paper in the test by default, then you can view the
questions for any other papers in the test by using the selected paper drop-down at the top of the report.

Cambridge Primary Progression tests 8

2. Learner reports
To access the reports for a learner, go to the Learners section of the dashboard, and click on a learner name. This
generates a selection of reports that will help you identify the strengths, weaknesses and progress over time for an
individual learner across all subjects for all Primary stages. The test reports show:

Learner progress (or the selected learner)

The Learner progress report is the first report on the page and includes:
• a table of the learner’s results for each subject and stage that the learner has taken a Progression test
• a line graph showing for each of these results, how far into the grade they achieved.

This allows you to clearly visualise the learner’s progress in each subject across the Primary stages.

In the table, each bar shows the percentage achieved and performance grade in the test for a specified subject in
a specified stage.

This information in the table can be sorted by stage or by the highest or lowest percentage achieved in a
particular subject.

The line graph depicts the same data, but in a different format to the table:
• the x-axis shows the stages
• the y-axis shows how far the learner has gone into the grade
• each coloured line on the graph represents a different subject
• points that are plotted show how far the learner went into each grade at a specified subject in a specified
stage.

Test overview (for the selected learner)

The Test overview report is the second report on the page. This report shows a list of all the Progression tests
taken by the learner, and for each test shows the percentage achieved and the grade.

You can sort the information in the table by test name or by percentage achieved by clicking on the sort icons
next to the column title.

You can also filter this report (using the filter banner) by:
• Test subject – this shows all of the tests the learner has taken for that chosen subject
• Test stage – this shows all of the tests the learner has taken for the chosen stage
• Year test published – this shows all of the tests the learner has taken that were published in the chosen
year.

Using the comparison drop-down at the bottom of this report, you can compare the learner's percentage achieved
for each test against:
• the average percentage achieved of all learners in your school who have taken the same test in the
current year
• the average percentage achieved of all learners across all Cambridge schools who have taken the same
test (Average across all Cambridge schools).

Cambridge Primary Progression tests 9

Test reports (for the selected learner)
By clicking on a test on the Test Overview report above, you can view test reports for individual learners. To
access the Test Overview report above, click on a learner from the Learners section of the dashboard, or from
the Learner overview report for a selected learner group. The test reports for a learner show:
• grade and percentage achieved by the learner
• analysis by reporting strand for the learner
• analysis by reporting sub-strand for the learner
• analysis by learning objective for the learner
• analysis by question for the learner.

The Grade report shows the grade and percentage achieved for the test by the selected learner.

The Analysis by reporting strand report for a learner shows a list of all the reporting strands covered by the test,
then for each reporting strand, the maximum number of marks available across all the questions for that reporting
strand, and the percentage achieved by the learner.

3. Test reports for all learners

To access the test reports for all your learners, go to the Tests section of the dashboard, and click on an
individual test. A school administrator can see data for all the learners in the school, whereas a teacher can see
data for all the learners in the learner groups they are assigned to. The test reports include:

Distribution of grades
The Distribution of grades report shows the percentage distribution of Bronze, Silver and Gold grades achieved
for the test by the learners.

Learner comparison
The Learner comparison report shows a list of all the learners who took the test. The bars next to each learner's
name show the percentage achieved.
You can sort by learner name and percentage achieved by clicking on the sort icons, and you can search for a
learner by using the learner name filter on the filter banner.

Using the comparison drop-down at the bottom of this report, you can compare each learner's percentage
achieved in the test against:
• the average percentage achieved of all learners in the school who have taken the same test in the current
year (This school's current year average)
• the average percentage achieved of all learners across all Cambridge schools who have taken the same
test (Average across all Cambridge schools).

Analysis by reporting strand

The Analysis by reporting strand report shows a list of all the reporting strands covered by the test, then for
each reporting strand, the maximum number of marks available across all the questions for that reporting strand,
and the average percentage achieved by the learners.

Using the comparison drop-down at the bottom of the report, you can compare the average percentage achieved
by the learners for each reporting strand in the test against:
• the average percentage achieved for each reporting strand of all learners in the school who have taken
the same test in the current year (This school's current year average)
• the average percentage achieved for each reporting strand of all learners across all Cambridge schools
who have taken the same test (Average across all Cambridge schools)

Cambridge Primary Progression tests 10

Analysis by reporting sub-strand
The Analysis by reporting sub-strand report shows a list of all the reporting sub-strands covered by the test,
then for each reporting sub-strand, the maximum number of marks available across all the questions for that
reporting sub-strand, and the average percentage achieved by the learners.

Analysis by learning objective

The Analysis by learning objective report shows a list of all the learning objectives covered by the test, then for
each learning objective, the maximum number of marks available across all the questions for that learning
objective, and the average percentage achieved by the learners.

The comparison drop-down is available for this report with the same comparisons as the previous report. Click on
the 'i' icon to see a description of each learning objective.

Analysis by question
The Analysis by question report shows a list of all the questions for each paper in the test, then for each
question, the average mark achieved by the learners, and the maximum mark available. The report shows the
questions for the first paper in the test by default. You can view the questions for any other papers in the test by
using the selected paper drop-down at the top of the report.

The comparison drop-down is available for this report with the same comparisons as the previous report.

Copyright © UCLES 2023

Cambridge Assessment is committed to making our documents accessible in accordance with the WCAG 2.1 Standard. We are always
looking to improve the accessibility of our documents. If you find any problems or you think we are not meeting accessibility requirements,
contact us at [email protected] with the subject heading: Digital accessibility. If you need this document in a different
format, contact us and supply your name, email address and requirements and we will respond within 15 working days.

Cambridge Primary Progression tests 11