Start of Year Grammar and Punctuation Assessment Guidance

The KS2Gems Start of Year (SOY) Grammar and Punctuation Assessment for Year 4 provides teachers with a comprehensive resource to evaluate their students' understanding of English grammar and punctuation. This assessment is ideally administered within the first few weeks of the Autumn term, before commencing the Y4 Grammar and Punctuation Programme. The pack includes guidance notes, a detailed mark scheme, and an analysis grid to help identify any gaps in pupils' knowledge. Teachers are encouraged to first review the Year 3 content during the initial two weeks of the 12-week programme, allowing time for revision where necessary. The domains covered by the test are outlined in the booklet, ensuring a structured approach to assessing key grammar and punctuation skills.

Administering the test requires clear communication with students about the test procedures. Pupils should be briefed on how to correctly fill out their answer booklets, change answers if needed, and work independently without discussion. The test has a duration of 30 minutes, and instructions are provided for students to follow. The marking of the test is guided by general principles outlined in the booklet, with specific actions to take for different question types, including tick boxes, circling answers, and handling crossed-out responses. The mark scheme is precise, providing clear instructions on what is acceptable or not for each type of question, ensuring consistency in marking and a fair assessment of each student's ability.