New Test Operations Service provider: information for schools and local authorities
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-17)

From September 2025, Pearson will provide the Test Operations Service, supporting national curriculum assessments on behalf of the Standards and Testing Agency.

This page outlines the key changes and dates to help schools and local authorities prepare for the new service.

Background

The Test Operations Services contract, which supports national curriculum assessments, is managed by an external supplier. This includes the phonics screening check, optional key stage 1 (KS1) tests, and statutory key stage 2 (KS2) tests and teacher assessment. Services covered by the contract include the printing and distribution of test papers, school-facing systems, marking, and helpline support.

In accordance with Public Contract Regulations 2015, a competitive procurement process was conducted to renew these outsourced services. Pearson has been selected as the supplier and will deliver the Test Operations Services from the 2025 to 2026 test cycle onwards. Capita will continue to provide these services for the 2024 to 2025 test cycle, after which the current contract will end.

We are working closely with Pearson to ensure a smooth and positive transition for schools and local authorities.

Important dates

Primary Assessment Gateway (PAG): 2024 to 2025 test cycle only

The PAG will close and no longer be accessible for schools and local authorities from Friday 19 December 2025.

Please ensure you download any documents relating to the academic year 2024 to 2025 before this date. You can check the:
- ‘Available Activity’ section for KS2 test results
- ‘Completed Activity’ section for any forms, letters, or outcomes you may need to retain
National Curriculum Assessments Portal (NCA Portal): 2025 to 2026 test cycle onwards

Pearson developed a new system to replace the PAG for activities relating to the 2025 to 2026 test cycle onwards. The NCA Portal (http://www.ncaportal.education.gov.uk/) went live on Tuesday 23 September 2025.

If you haven’t set up your NCA Portal account yet, please contact the national curriculum assessments helpline (#national-curriculum-assessments-helpline).

For full instructions and support on how to access the system and manage user accounts, please also refer to the guidance on how to access the NCA Portal (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-access-the-national-curriculum-assessments-portal).

New NCA Portal activities

The NCA Portal uses multi-factor authentication (MFA) to help protect pupil data and ensure secure access. As part of the sign in process, users will receive an email with a unique 6-digit code at their registered email address. This code will be required once per day.

In addition to the usual activities, users will be able to complete new tasks within the NCA Portal.

Schools will be able to:
- complete attendance registers alongside notification of aid for KS2 tests online
- order electronic modified large print (MLP) papers
- report maladministration for KS2 tests
- submit, view and update helpdesk requests related to own cases
Local authorities will be able to:
- approve their monitoring and moderation agreements with academies and participating independent schools
- complete standardisation activities directly within the NCA Portal, replacing previous processes
National curriculum assessments customer service

The national curriculum assessments helpline is now operated by Pearson:

National curriculum assessments helplineCall: xx-xxxx-xxxx (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm)Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)Online: NCA Portal (http://www.ncaportal.education.gov.uk) ‘Support’

The telephone number and email address have not changed, however:
- NCA Portal users can now also submit helpdesk requests in the ‘Support’ section within the NCA Portal – any requests submitted by telephone or email will also appear in the user’s NCA Portal account, allowing them to track progress, receive updates and respond to queries securely within the system
- if you email the helpline, you may receive a response from xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) or xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) – you can respond to either of these or update your query on the NCA Portal
- until Friday 19 December, Capita may respond to queries relating to the 2024 to 2025 test cycle using the email address xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) – you cannot reply directly to this email address, but if you need more help or have another query, just forward it to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)