Ofqual has published guidance related to the National Reference Test (NRT) taking place in 2022. The guidance has been created by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) who will be conducting the test on Ofqual's behalf and is aimed at schools that have been selected to take part in the NFT in 2022.

In 2022, the results of the NRT will be used to provide evidence about the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on education for school leaders, exam boards and policy-makers. The results from the 2021 NRT are being used to consider the impact of lost learning during the covid-19 pandemic.

The NRT will take place in schools in a two-week period decided by NFER between 28 February and 8 April 2022. The guidance contains information on what schools should do if the selected dates are not convenient for them.

Selected schools will be asked by NFER to provide the number of students in year 11 who will be aged 16 by 31 August 2022 and who will be entered for either or both GCSE English Language and GCSE Maths in summer 2022. All selected students are expected to take part. Further information on student selection is available on the guidance.

The guidance also contains information regarding:

• the role of NFER's test administrator
• the composition and timing of the test
• keeping the tests secure
• arrangements schools need to make for the test
• access arrangements and responsibilities for providing these
• recognising schools' and students' participation
• confidentiality.

If you have any questions about the test, you can contact NFER on 01753 637 383 or at NRTkeystage4@nfer.ac.uk.