They're controversial here at the moment. When I was at school, the only testing we had (before 16) was internal tests to help the school assess our progress. Now there are national tests at 7, 11 and 14. The results (school averages, not individual pupils) are published in high profile League Tables, so schools whose pupils do badly are named and shamed. Needless to say, every school wants to do well, so everything is sacrificed to the altar of the test. The majority of teachers (as far as I understand) are opposed to them, especially at 7. But what do they know? They're only teachers. The Government knows best, of course. (*waves irony flag*)