Year 6 SATs Explained: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents and Students
Year 6 Standard Assessment Tests (SATs) are a pivotal part of the educational system in England, serving multiple purposes from benchmarking academic progress to informing secondary education placements. These tests, usually administered in May each year, are designed to assess pupils' knowledge of the Key Stage 2 national curriculum. Understanding the SATs, their structure, and how to prepare for them can significantly ease concerns for both parents and students.
What are the Year 6 SATs?
Year 6 SATs are standardised assessment tests taken by children in Year 6 in England, typically when they are 10 or 11 years old. These tests provide a measure of attainment of a school’s pupils at the end of Key Stage 2 primary education. Around 97.5% of pupils in England take the test, with maintained schools, academies, and free schools required to participate. Private prep schools can choose whether their pupils take SATs.
The purpose of Key Stage 2 SATs is to measure a child's academic progress and the school's performance. The exams test children's understanding of what they have learned during the second stage of primary school, in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 (ages 7-11).
What do the Year 6 SATs Cover?
The Key Stage 2 SATs cover key learning areas, including:
- English reading
- English spelling, punctuation, and grammar (SPaG)
- Mathematics
Teacher assessments are also used to test children's performance in writing, speaking and listening, and usually science.
Read also: Aiming for Top SAT Scores
English Assessments
In English, pupils are assessed on reading comprehension, grammar, punctuation, and spelling. The reading test evaluates their ability to understand and interpret texts, while the SPaG test checks their knowledge of linguistic conventions.
Reading Comprehension: This test evaluates the ability to understand and interpret texts through questions based on various texts.
Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling (SPaG): This assesses grammar rules, punctuation, and spelling knowledge. The grammar and punctuation paper will include a mix of multiple-choice and short-answer questions. The SPaG test is divided into two papers:
Paper 1 (Grammar and Punctuation): A 45-minute test worth 50 marks, focusing on grammar and punctuation.
Paper 2 (Spelling): A 15-20 minute test worth 20 marks, assessing spelling skills.
Mathematics Assessments
In mathematics, the focus is on arithmetic and mathematical reasoning. The maths test is made up of three papers:
Arithmetic (Paper 1): This paper involves mathematical calculations, covering operations including fractions, decimals and percentages, and long division and multiplication. It is a fixed response calculation paper.
Mathematical Fluency, Problems, and Reasoning (Papers 2 and 3): These papers assess mathematical fluency, with problems and reasoning.
The Importance of Year 6 SATs
SATs are important to give teachers and parents an insight into children's strengths and areas for development. The results help teachers understand which pupils need extra support as they prepare to finish primary school and start secondary school. They're also used by the government to review the quality of education at schools across the country.
Some secondary schools use Year 6 SATs results (alongside Year 7 CAT exams) to help group students into sets or streams. Being confident and prepared for SATs will in turn help a child to enter Year 7 in a high set. The SATs do not provide entrance exam requirements for secondary schools.
Read also: Navigating Standardized Tests
These test results inform secondary schools about incoming pupils' academic levels and help in placing them in appropriate classes. SATs results contribute to primary school performance metrics and guide teaching strategies by providing detailed feedback for tailored instruction.
SATs Test Schedule
The Key Stage 2 SATs are timetabled from Monday 12th May to Thursday 15th May 2025. Each test will take place on a day decided by the DfE but may take place at a time of that day chosen by the school.
How are the Year 6 SATs Marked?
After taking the test in May, the Year 6 SATs papers are marked by external markers instead of a child's teachers. Results are usually received during the first two weeks of July. The new SATs marking scheme is based on age-related expectations. For each SATs paper, a child will get:
- A raw score
- A scaled score
- An outcome code
Schools usually give parents the scaled score, outcome code, or both. It is unlikely to be given raw scores. The pass mark is a scaled score of 100. Any pupils who do not get a raw score of 3 marks will have a Scaled Score lower than 80. Reading is between 21 and 28 marks out of 50. a score than can be compared between years (known as the “Scaled Score”).
Scaled Scores and Age-Related Expectations
It used to be that children were given a national curriculum level from 1-6. They were expected to achieve at least a level 4 in English, maths, and science by the time they left primary school. There were concerns that these levels were vague, unhelpful to parents, and could cause children to develop a fixed mindset about their ability for learning.
In most schools, the old levels scheme has been replaced with age-related expectations. Teachers use statements to describe in which areas children have achieved expectations for their age and areas where they may need more support. For example:
- Working within the expected level of attainment for their age
- Working towards the expected level of attainment
- Working below the expected level of attainment
- Working beyond the expected level of attainment (at greater depth)
Teacher Assessments at KS2
Teachers have to make Teacher Assessments in subjects (Reading or Maths) for pupils who were not entered into that exam. By definition, these assessments will be based on the pre-key stage standards. Additionally, the headteacher must explain to parents, before the tests begin, why they are not being entered. This report will also be placed on the pupil’s education record.
Pupils are assessed against pre-key standards 1 to 6 statements.
Accessing SATs Results and Analysis
In early July, the schools receive the Raw Score and Scaled Score that each pupil has received. It does not include progress scores or the results of any appeals at this stage. Ofsted Inspectors use these to inform themselves about the school before their visit. This is accessible only by the schools, LAs, and Ofsted.
For pupils who did not sit any tests, a statement as to why this was is provided. If an error has occurred, the school can apply for a review. Marks will only be updated if there is a significant change in the results: generally, this requires a change of at least two Scaled Scores, or a “Expected Standard Not Achieved (NS)” changes to “Expected Standard Achieved (AS)” (or vice versa).
In late July/early August, the DfE’s Question Level Analysis (QLA) is released on the ASP service (accessible only by schools and LAs). This contains a summary analysis per pupil per topic/strand, or per question. This analysis gives an overview of how a school performed, and by digging deeper, it can be used to really make a difference to school outcomes.
Preparing for Year 6 SATs: Tips for Parents
Preparation for SATs typically involves a combination of classroom learning, practice tests, and revision sessions. Schools often provide additional resources and support to help pupils perform their best. As a parent, you can be crucial in supporting and encouraging your child through this process. Here are some strategies to help your child prepare effectively:
Balanced Routine: Establish a study timetable that balances schoolwork, revision, and relaxation.
Practice Papers: Use past papers to familiarise your child with the format and style of the tests. These papers are a fantastic resource to use as they will ensure that learners are familiar and comfortable with the layout and format of each test. This can really help them be a little less stressed on the days of their actual SAT papers! Free download to Year 6 past papers.
Short, Concentrated Bursts: If time is tight, then short, concentrated bursts usually work best. Short, but focused 15-minute sessions can be more effective than a 2-hour marathon! That could be a quick spelling test on the way to school, a times table revision session while they’re getting ready for bed, or even putting in place 15 minutes of reading each night before they go to sleep.
Study Schedule: Put in place a study schedule. Create this with the learner and ensure it fits around their other planned activities. With six different papers to revise for, it could be helpful to know where to focus efforts. Speaking with the child’s teacher or checking their latest school report is the best way to find out if there are any areas they’ve been struggling with that could use some extra attention.
Keep it Interesting: The key to getting a child to stick with their revision is to keep it interesting for them! Mix up their study routines with a combination of past papers, interactive games workbooks and online quizzes. Interactive games and activities are always a big hit with learners, so why not add these to the study schedule too?
Positive Attitude: Maintain a positive attitude towards SATs. Preparation for SATs is about creating a supportive and balanced environment where your child can thrive. Your involvement and encouragement can significantly impact their confidence and performance.
Additional Support and Resources
DoodleLearning: DoodleLearning has a range of apps that are packed with activities that are perfect for KS2 SATs revision! Both the maths app and the English app are full of fun games and activities that are all fully aligned with the national curriculum.
Sumdog: Sumdog supports schools with Year SATs preparation by providing targeted, curriculum-aligned practice in both maths and spelling.
Atom: Atom is a home learning programme created by teachers, designed to help your child build knowledge and confidence across English, maths and science. You'll get 70,000+ interactive questions, helpsheets and tutorial videos, and 500+ hours of video lessons.
Special Considerations
Additional Time: Pupils may be eligible for additional time. This is typically an extra 25%, but may be an extra 100% for pupils use the Modified Large Print or braille versions.
Compensatory Marks: Compensatory marks may be available for the spelling paper.
Illness: If pupils are ill on the day of the test, they should not take the tests on that day. Schools can apply for the test to be moved to a different day, up to 5 school days later.
Timetable Variations: Timetable variations can also be applied if the pupil had an important appointment that cannot be rearranged.
SATs in 2020 and 2021
It’s worth noting that the SATs papers KS2 students would have sat in both 2020 and 2021 are not available as these exams were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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