Key stage 2 English and mathematics tests: how to become a marker
Guidance about how to become a marker for the key stage 2 (KS2) English and mathematics tests.
Marker recruitment for the 2025 KS2 tests is now complete.
Markers for the 2026 national curriculum tests will be recruited by Pearson, the Standards and Testing Agency鈥檚 external supplier from September 2025 onwards. Pearson will lead the delivery of KS2 marking and manage the relationship with markers.
We will update the information on this page with more information on accessing opportunities to become a marker. Pearson understands that many markers are eager to continue working on the national curriculum tests and will contact existing markers directly regarding the recruitment process for the 2026聽national curriculum tests聽by the end of September 2025.
Updates to this page
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Removed information about Capita's marker recruitment process, as marker recruitment for the 2025 KS2 tests is now complete and Pearson will recruit markers for the 2026 tests. Added clarification that we will update this page and Pearson will contact existing markers directly with information about the 2026 recruitment process聽by the end of September 2025.
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Capita's website for marker applications has changed to: www.capita.com/careers/explore-our-opportunities/education
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Capita's website for marker applications has changed to: https://content.capita.com/educationcareers
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Updated for the academic year 2023 to 2024. To avoid duplication and ensure potential future markers have all the important information they need in one place, we migrated any details about the criteria for becoming a marker, marker training and the application process to Capita's marker recruitment landing page at www.capita-sta.co.uk.
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Updated the month in which this page will be updated with the recruitment process for 2024 (November rather than October).
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Edited 'Apply to be a marker' section to reflect the close of recruitment for the 2023 KS2 tests.
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Updated the criteria and application information for becoming a marker. Removed science.
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Edited 'Apply to be a marker' section to reflect the close of recruitment for the 2022 KS2 tests.
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Updates to how to become a marker.
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Updated for the 2021 marker recruitment activity.
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Science sampling test section amended to reflect email to coders (markers) to apply to code the 2020 science sampling tests.
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Updated for the 2019/2020 test cycle.
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Updated for the 2018 to 2019 test cycle.
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Changed to reflect the completion of marker recruitment for the 2018 tests.
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Changed to reflect the completion or marker recruitment for the 2018 science sampling tests.
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Updated for the 2017 to 2018 test cycle.
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Dates amended to reflect current marker recruitment opportunities.
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The reference to assessing the accuracy of marking (penultimate paragraph) has been amended from '...two more times during the marking period...' to '...throughout the marking period...'.
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First published.