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 , 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.