Each September, year 7 students arrive in secondary school with a wide range of knowledge and confidence levels. While some transition smoothly, others quickly reveal gaps in understanding that can affect progress if not addressed early.
To better understand these starting points, we analysed Educake data from year 7 assessments in September 2025, looking at the most challenging topics across science, English and maths.
Free transition insights
Use our free English, maths and science transition quizzes to identify learning gaps, spot misconceptions and plan next steps with confidence.
Maths
| Topic | Average % correct |
|---|---|
| Ordering | 71.5% |
| Place value | 73.1% |
| Subtraction | 73.7% |
| BIDMAS | 76.4% |
| Addition | 81.8% |
Looking for more on year 7 maths transition? Explore our guide, Creating a great transition in maths from primary to secondary school, where Pete Mattock shares practical advice for helping pupils hit the ground running in year 7. You can also watch our short video, Transition top tips with Pete Mattock from Twinkl.
English
| Topic | Average % correct |
|---|---|
| Semicolons | 64.0% |
| Rhetorical terms | 65.2% |
| Apostrophes | 65.2% |
| Cohesive vocabulary | 66.8% |
| Nouns | 67.0% |
Science
| Topic | Average % correct |
|---|---|
| Measuring pressure | 34.6% |
| Carrying out experiments | 46.0% |
| SI units | 56.1% |
| Simple calculations | 56.5% |
| Distance-time graphs | 56.6% |
Want a clearer picture of your new year 7s’ understanding?
Use our free transition quizzes to identify misconceptions, spot students who need extra support and build a clearer picture of your cohort from the very start of the year.
