Full Document:
https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/27f7f1e3/Standardised_Testing_Circular_2026_EN.pdf
What you need to know
This circular outlines requirements for the 2025/26 academic year, focusing primarily on standardised testing, reporting, transitions, and curriculum updates. You must administer standardised tests to 2nd, 4th, and 6th classes in May or early June 2026. Exemptions and special accommodations are permitted for specific pupils, and infant classes should not undergo whole-class testing. Schools will receive funding (€6.00 or €7.50 per pupil) to purchase these tests. You must upload all test results to the Esinet portal by Wednesday, 17th June 2026.
Regarding reporting, you must provide parents/guardians with a standard written report prior to the summer break and report assessment data to your board of management. These aggregate results also inform your school’s Special Education Teaching (SET) allocation.
For pupil transitions, Education Passports must be sent to post-primary schools by the end of June, while information for pupils needing additional supports should be shared earlier. Early childhood transitions are supported by the NCCA Mo Scéal templates.
The circular also highlights the ongoing rollout of the redeveloped Primary School Curriculum via online toolkits, highlights professional learning for assessments, notes a review of wellbeing resources, and promotes public library partnerships and adult literacy programs
Key Dates?
Wednesday, 17th June 2026: The strict deadline for uploading all standardised test results to the Esinet portal
Any differences to last year’s circular?
Very little difference, you’ll be glad to hear!
Funding for Standardised Tests: While the per-pupil funding remains the same (€6.00 for English-medium schools and €7.50 for Irish-medium schools), the 2026 circular introduces guaranteed minimum payments of €140 for English-medium schools and €162 for Irish-medium schools. The 2025 circular did not specify a minimum