Years 1 and 4 · JuneEnglandPhonics and times tables checks: Years 1 and 4
England has two short national checks before the SATs. In Year 1, your child reads 40 words aloud to a teacher in the phonics screening check. In Year 4, they answer 25 times tables questions on screen in the multiplication tables check. Both take place in June and take only a few minutes.
When are the checks in 2027?
Both checks fall in June. The school picks the day.
Multiplication tables check
Year 4. The school picks a day within the two weeks.
Phonics screening check
Year 1, plus Year 2 pupils who did not meet the standard last year.
Phonics pass mark published
The Department for Education publishes the mark needed for that year’s check.
Results to parents
Usually in the end-of-year report.
How do children do nationally?
Figures for England from the Department for Education.
- Phonics check, Year 1 (2025)80% met the standard
- Times tables check, Year 4 (2025)37% scored full marks
The average times tables score in 2025 was 21.0 out of 25. Figures for 2026 are published in the autumn.
What happens after the checks?
Neither check is an exam your child can fail. They show the school who needs more help.
Phonics: met the standard
Your child can sound out words as expected for Year 1. Phonics lessons carry on in Year 2.
Phonics: not yet
Your child gets extra phonics support and takes the check again at the end of Year 2.
Times tables: any score
There is no pass mark. The school uses the score to see which tables need more practice.
More test guides
Sources
- GOV.UK: primary assessments, future dates (opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: phonics screening check 2026 materials (opens in a new tab)
- DfE: multiplication tables check attainment (opens in a new tab)
Updated on 12 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.