The pass mark for the phonics screening check will remain at 32 this year, the Department for Education has announced. It is the seventh year in a row that the test’s pass mark has been set at this level. Details of the pass mark have been published today, along with test materials, scoring guidance and an answer sheet. The phonics check is taken by all year 1 pupils in England. Last year, 81 per cent of year 1 pupils achieved the pass mark of 32 out of 40. However, the validity of the tests was called into question in 2016 after mark distribution data showed a steep rise around the pass mark.