KS2 SATs explained: what Year 6 parents need to know

What the SATs are

SATs are the national tests taken at the end of Key Stage 2, in Year 6, when children are 10 or 11. They take place in May. They check how well pupils have learned the primary national curriculum in reading, maths, and grammar, punctuation and spelling.

Writing is not a test. Teachers assess it through the year. Science is checked by a sample of schools rather than every pupil.

There is no pass or fail. The tests do not decide which secondary school your child goes to, except where a selective school chooses to use other tests such as the 11+. They give a snapshot of attainment at the end of primary school.

The papers

• Reading: one paper with several texts and questions. Children read, then answer a mix of short and longer questions.
• Grammar, punctuation and spelling: one paper on grammar and punctuation, and a shorter spelling test where words are read out.
• Maths: three papers. One is arithmetic (calculations). Two are reasoning papers with problem-solving questions. Calculators are not allowed on any of them.

Exact timings and marks can change slightly from year to year, so check the latest guidance on gov.uk or ask the school. In general, each paper is under an hour, and children sit the tests across several days in the same week.

Scaled scores and the expected standard

Your child's marks on each paper are added up to a raw score. That raw score is then converted to a scaled score. The scaled score runs from 80 to 120 for each test.

A scaled score of 100 or more means your child has met the expected standard. A score below 100 means they have not yet met it. Scores near 100 are common, and the conversion changes each year to account for how hard the papers were. A raw score that earns 100 one year might not earn it the next.

Your child will not get a single overall score. You will receive a result for each test, and the teacher assessment for writing, which is given as a description rather than a number.

If your child scores 99, that is one scaled point below the expected standard. It is not a sign of failure. Ask the teacher what the raw score was and where the marks were lost.

When you get results

Schools usually receive results in early July, and parents are told before the end of the summer term. They come in your child's end of year report, which also includes the teacher's view of how they are doing.

What the results are used for

• Schools use them to look at how pupils and year groups are doing, and what to teach next.
• The government uses the combined results to measure school performance, which is why schools take the tests seriously.
• Secondary schools often use them as a starting point, together with their own tests in Year 7, to set groups and spot pupils who need extra help.
• Parents can use them to see strengths and gaps before the move to secondary school.

The results do not follow your child around. Most secondary schools quickly build their own picture, so a bad day in May is not a lasting label.

How to help without adding pressure

Children pick up on parents' worries. The best help is steady and low-key.

• Read together or let them read independently every day. Reading underpins the reading paper and the maths word problems.
• Practise times tables until they are automatic. This helps with arithmetic and reasoning papers.
• Try one short practice task a few times a week, rather than long sessions. Ten to twenty minutes is plenty.
• Use past papers from the government website near the tests, so the format feels familiar.
• Talk to the teacher about what to focus on. They know where your child's gaps are.

On the days of the tests, keep things normal. A good breakfast and a decent night's sleep help more than last-minute revision. Remind your child that the tests are for the school as well, and that you are proud of them whatever the scores.

Common questions

Can you opt out? Schools are expected to administer the tests, so it is best to talk to the head teacher about any concerns. Children with additional needs may have adjustments, such as extra time, and this is arranged by the school.

Do the SATs affect Year 7 setting? Sometimes, but secondary schools also run their own tests early in Year 7. Do not expect your child to be fixed to a set based on one score.

If your child finds it hard

Some children get anxious. Signs include stomach aches, not wanting to go to school, or snapping over homework. Tell the teacher early, since schools have experience of this and can adjust how they talk about the tests. Remind your child that the tests are short and the results are not a judgement on them.

If a child has fallen behind in a particular area, such as fractions or inference in reading, short targeted help can make a real difference before the move to Year 7. Our tutors teach live, one to one, and match the topics to what your child needs. See our primary tutoring pages, including primary maths and primary English, or read how it works.