Paper 1: Grammar & Punctuation (45 minutes)

Total Marks: 50 marks

Question Types:

• Multiple choice questions
• Short answer questions
• Sentence transformation and correction
• Identifying word classes and grammatical functions

Topics Covered:

• Word Classes: Nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, prepositions, conjunctions, determiners
• Sentence Structure: Clauses, phrases, simple/compound/complex sentences
• Punctuation: Full stops, capital letters, commas, apostrophes, speech marks, colons, semi-colons, brackets, dashes
• Tenses: Past, present, future, perfect tenses
• Vocabulary: Prefixes, suffixes, synonyms, antonyms

Paper 2: Spelling (20 minutes)

Total Marks: 20 marks

Students spell 20 words that are read aloud by the teacher within the context of sentences. Words are based on statutory word lists and spelling patterns from the national curriculum.

Total Marks: 50 marks

Format: Answer booklet with three different reading texts

Text Types:

• Fiction (stories, novels, poetry)
• Non-fiction (information texts, explanations, biographies)
• Poetry

Skills Assessed:

• Retrieval: Finding and copying information from the text
• Inference: Reading between the lines to understand implied meanings
• Vocabulary: Understanding word meanings in context
• Summarising: Identifying main ideas and key points
• Prediction: Using evidence to predict what might happen
• Language Analysis: Understanding how authors use language for effect
• Structure: Analyzing how texts are organized
• Comparison: Comparing information, themes, or viewpoints

Paper 1: Arithmetic (30 minutes)

Total Marks: 40 marks

Content: Pure calculation questions testing all four operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages.

Example Question Types:

• Addition: 7,856 + 3,947
• Subtraction: 12,003 − 4,867
• Multiplication: 347 × 28
• Division: 1,848 ÷ 24
• Fractions: ³⁄₄ + ⁵⁄₈ or ²⁄₅ × 35
• Decimals: 3.4 × 0.7
• Percentages: 15% of 240

Paper 2: Reasoning (40 minutes)

Total Marks: 35 marks

Content: Problem-solving questions requiring multiple steps, reasoning, and application of mathematical concepts.

Paper 3: Reasoning (40 minutes)

Total Marks: 35 marks

Content: Similar to Paper 2 - problem-solving and reasoning across all mathematical domains.

Mathematical Topics Covered:

• Number: Place value, ordering, rounding, negative numbers, Roman numerals
• Calculations: Four operations with whole numbers, decimals, and fractions
• Fractions, Decimals & Percentages: Converting between forms, calculations, problem-solving
• Ratio & Proportion: Scaling, unit conversions, recipe problems
• Algebra: Simple equations, sequences, missing number problems with letters
• Measurement: Length, mass, volume, time, money, perimeter, area, volume
• Geometry: Properties of 2D and 3D shapes, angles, coordinates, transformations
• Statistics: Tables, charts, graphs, averages (mean, median, mode)

SATs papers are marked externally and converted into scaled scores to allow for comparison across years.

Scoring System:

• Raw Score: The actual number of marks achieved on the test
• Scaled Score: Raw score converted to a scale of 80-120 (with 100 being the expected standard)

Subject-Specific Maximum Scores:

Overall Achievement Standard:

To meet the expected standard, pupils must achieve:

• Scaled score of 100 or above in Reading
• Scaled score of 100 or above in Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling
• Scaled score of 100 or above in Mathematics
• Teacher assessment of "Working at Expected Standard" in Writing

UK Government Official Resources

Standards and Testing Agency (STA) - Department for Education

Free Past Papers and Resources

SATs-Papers.co.uk - Complete archive of KS2 past papers from 2016-2025 (free download)

BBC Bitesize KS2 - Free interactive revision resources for all subjects

Third Space Learning - SATs preparation resources and guides

Can my child miss SATs?

No. KS2 SATs are statutory assessments - all Year 6 pupils in state-maintained schools must take them unless there are exceptional circumstances (serious illness, family bereavement). Parents cannot withdraw children from SATs.

What happens if my child is ill during SATs week?

Contact the school immediately. If your child misses a test due to genuine illness, the school will use teacher assessment to report their attainment. There are no resit opportunities for KS2 SATs.

Do SATs results affect secondary school placement?

No, not in most areas. Secondary school places are allocated based on school preferences and admissions criteria (distance, catchment area, siblings). SATs results are used by secondary schools to set ability groups but not for admission decisions. Exception: Grammar schools use separate 11+ tests, not SATs.

What is a "good" SATs score?

A scaled score of 100+ in each subject (Reading, GPS, Maths) is considered "meeting the expected standard" - this is what schools aim for all pupils to achieve. A score of 110+ is "working at greater depth" and represents strong attainment.

Will my child be labeled by their SATs results?

No. SATs results are one snapshot of attainment at the end of primary school. They do not define your child's future potential. Many successful adults performed poorly in primary school tests. Secondary schools focus on effort, progress, and attitude rather than just SATs scores.

Can we see past SATs papers?

Yes. All past SATs papers from 2016-2025 are freely available online (links provided above). These are excellent for practice and familiarization with test formats.

How are writing and science assessed if there are no tests?

Teachers assess writing and science throughout Year 6 based on pupils' independent work and understanding. This is called "teacher assessment" and is reported alongside test results.

What happens after SATs?

After SATs week in May, Year 6 pupils continue learning new topics, prepare for secondary school transition, and enjoy end-of-year activities. Results are typically released in July before the summer holidays. Secondary schools receive results and use them to plan support for incoming Year 7 students in September.