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Reception baseline assessment

You must administer the reception baseline assessment (RBA) to all new reception pupils in maintained schools and academies. Find out how it works so you're prepared to carry it out.

Last reviewed on 8 September 2025See updates
School types: All•School phases: Nursery, Primary•Ref: 10702
Contents
  1. What is it? 
  2. What's changed in 2025/26?
  3. When should you carry out the assessment?
  4. Who should carry it out?
  5. What does it consist of?
  6. What should you do after the assessments are complete?
  7. What information will you receive afterwards?

What is it? 

The reception baseline assessment (RBA) assesses pupils' starting points in: 

  • Early mathematics
  • Early literacy, communication and language

It won't affect the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) profile assessment, which will remain statutory.

What's changed in 2025/26?

From September 2025, you should use your DfE sign-in portal to prepare for, and administer, the assessment. This has replaced the the Baseline ePortal (BeP) used in 2024/25.

Use the following services in DfE sign-in:

Service:Task:
'Assessment service: manage your school’s assessments'
  • Register pupils
  • Record reasons for pupils not taking the assessment
  • Complete your headteacher’s declaration form (see below)
  • View and download narrative statements
‘Assessment service: start an assessment’
  • Complete training
  • Familiarise yourself with assessment questions
  • Check devices can connect (see below)
  • Access the ‘RBA modified administration guidance’ (this provides information on how to assess pupils with additional needs)
  • Manage accessibility settings
  • Administer an assessment

Use DfE sign-in help if you can't access your account.

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