Literacy and maths tests are to be introduced in primary schools before the end of September.
Plans for the tests, which are aimed at seven and 11-year-olds, are being finalised by the Department of Education.
A circular about the new tests in English reading and maths is being sent to primary schools across Ireland.
The move means parents will receive reports revealing whether their children are meeting national standards, although the results will not be available to anyone else to avoid the gathering of league tables for primary schools.
The new tests will be the first national testing scheme in primary schools since the Primary Certificate was abolished in the 1960s.
But they will be very different to the Primary Cert as there will not be a single test held on a single day.
Schools will be able to choose from a variety of tests that have been developed.
There will also be no set days for the tests meaning schools will also be free to decide when the tests take place, over the school year.
