Reception baseline assessment: IT guidance
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-15)

Guidance to ensure schools have the correct devices to deliver the 2025 reception baseline assessment (RBA).

Device requirements

From the start of the 2025 autumn term, schools will need a minimum of 2 devices to administer the RBA:
- One device will be used by the practitioner to administer the assessment.
- The pupil will use a separate touchscreen device to respond to questions.
Screen size

The minimum screen size for both devices is 9.7 inches (measured diagonally).

Touchscreen

The pupil device must be a touchscreen to enable pupils to respond to the assessment questions.

Operating systems and browsers

You should ensure that your device’s operating system (OS) and browser have the latest updates installed before administering the assessment. This is important to ensure the RBA runs smoothly and securely.

You can run the RBA on the following operating systems and browsers:

Security

The devices you use to administer the assessment should be owned and managed by the school.

Schools should take appropriate measures to ensure their devices are safe and secure, such as applying filtering and antivirus software.

The Department for Education’s guidance on meeting digital and technology standards in schools and colleges (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/meeting-digital-and-technology-standards-in-schools-and-colleges) provides information on what schools should do to ensure the safety and security of their devices and technology.

Recommended actions before administration

The RBA administration guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reception-baseline-assessment-administration-guidance) provides information to help practitioners prepare for and administer the RBA.

We recommend IT staff and practitioners complete the following checks before administering an assessment:

Check your devices are ready to use

For both devices, you should ensure that:
- they are switched on, fully charged and in good working order
- the auto lock, hibernate and sleep mode features are disabled
- any unnecessary tabs on the browser are closed
- any other applications are closed
- the browser is not in privacy or Incognito mode
- cookies are enabled
- the browser has local storage access enabled
- pop-up blocker software is disabled
Check your devices connect to the assessment services

Practitioners should use the ‘Check your devices can pair and connect to the service’ section of the ‘Assessment service: start an assessment’ to check their devices can administer the RBA.

You can find more information in ‘Preparing for the assessment’ within the RBA administration guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reception-baseline-assessment-administration-guidance).

Troubleshooting

If you experience connection issues during an assessment, you should follow these steps, which may help to resolve your issue:

Restart your browser: Close and re-open it in a new window, then re-enter the assessment. This should allow you to continue with the pupil’s assessment.

Clear your cache and cookies: Sign out of DfE Sign-in, close all browser windows, and clear your cache and cookies on both devices. Then try to resume the assessment.

Check your internet stability: Ensure your school’s internet connection is stable. You can use a broadband speed test to verify this – if you have not used one before, you should be able to find a free and reputable one using your preferred search engine.

Try an alternative setup: Try to administer the assessment using different devices or in a different location.

Further support

If you have a technical issue, share this guidance with your school’s IT support team.

If they are unable to fix the issue, including trying the suggested troubleshooting steps, you can contact us (https://help.assessmentservice.education.gov.uk/hc/en-gb/requests/new?ticket_form_id=22109552271506) or call the national curriculum assessments helpline on xx-xxxx-xxxx, selecting the option for RBA.

You will need to provide the following information so we can give you the best support:
- type of device
- operating system
- browser
- as much detail as possible – we recommend taking a screenshot
We may also ask you for additional information, depending on the nature of the issue, such as:
- pupil details
- timing when the issue occurred
- any troubleshooting steps already taken