KS1 SATs: The Complete Parent Guide (Year 2)
- Taken at the end of Year 2 (age 6–7), typically in May
- Tests Reading (2 papers, 40 marks total) and Maths (2 papers, 60 marks total)
- Writing and Science are teacher-assessed — no test papers
- Teacher-administered in a calm, classroom setting — not formal exam conditions
- Results reported as: working towards / at / at greater depth within the expected standard
- Results do not affect secondary school applications
- Since 2023, KS1 SATs are optional for schools — but many still administer them
What Are KS1 SATs?
KS1 SATs (formally called the National Curriculum assessments at Key Stage 1) are standardised tests designed to assess children's attainment at the end of Key Stage 1 — the final term of Year 2, when children are aged 6 or 7.
The tests cover Reading and Maths. Writing is assessed by teachers throughout the year based on classwork, not through a test paper. Science is also teacher-assessed, with a sample of schools selected each year for external moderation.
Unlike KS2 SATs (taken in Year 6), KS1 SATs are teacher-administered. There is no fixed national timetable — schools choose when during May to give the papers. Most schools present them as normal classroom activities rather than formal exams. Many children are not even aware they are sitting an assessment.
The purpose of KS1 SATs is to provide a standardised baseline that helps schools (and parents) understand where a child is relative to national expectations. They are a diagnostic tool, not a gatekeeper.
Recent Changes Parents Should Know
KS1 SATs have been through significant changes in recent years. Here is what matters for 2026:
- Made optional from 2023: Following a government consultation, KS1 SATs became optional for schools from the 2022–23 academic year onwards. Schools can choose whether to administer them. Many still do — they provide useful data and help teachers calibrate their assessments against a national benchmark
- The Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA): Since 2021, all children complete a short assessment when they start Reception. The government's long-term plan is for the RBA to eventually replace KS1 SATs as the primary school starting point, with progress measured from Reception to KS2. This transition is ongoing
- GPS paper removed: Unlike KS2, there is no separate Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (GPS) paper at KS1. GPS knowledge is assessed through the writing teacher assessment
If you're unsure whether your child's school administers KS1 SATs, simply ask the Year 2 teacher. The school will let you know what assessments are planned and when.
Reading Papers Explained
The KS1 Reading assessment consists of two papers with a combined total of 40 marks.
Paper 1 — Combined reading and answer booklet (approx. 30 minutes, 20 marks)
This paper contains a series of short texts with questions alongside them. The texts increase in difficulty through the paper. For children who need it, the teacher may read the questions aloud (but not the texts themselves, as the test is assessing reading ability).
Question types include:
- Retrieval: Find a specific fact in the text. Example: “What colour was the cat's collar?”
- Vocabulary: What does a specific word mean in context? Example: “What does the word ‘enormous’ mean?”
- Sequencing: Number events in the correct order
- Simple inference: Work out something not directly stated. Example: “How do you think the boy felt? How do you know?”
Paper 2 — Reading answer booklet (approx. 40 minutes, 20 marks)
Children receive a separate reading booklet containing longer, more complex texts, and answer questions in a separate booklet. This paper is read independently — the teacher does not read the texts aloud.
The question types are similar but more demanding, with longer answers expected and more inference-based questions. Children who struggle with Paper 1 may not attempt Paper 2 — this is at the teacher's discretion.
Tip: The single most effective preparation for the KS1 reading papers is reading together every day. Children who are read to regularly — and who read independently — develop the vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension skills that the papers assess. There are no shortcuts here.
Maths Papers Explained
The KS1 Maths assessment consists of two papers with a combined total of 60 marks.
Paper 1 — Arithmetic (approx. 20 minutes, 25 marks)
This paper tests mathematical fluency — whether children can accurately perform calculations. Questions are presented as number sentences (e.g. 14 + 7 = ___ or 30 − ___ = 18).
Topics tested include:
- Addition and subtraction within 100 (including two-digit numbers)
- Multiplication facts for the 2, 5, and 10 times tables
- Division facts related to the 2, 5, and 10 times tables
- Missing number problems (e.g. ___ + 6 = 15)
- Simple fractions (½ and ¼ of quantities)
Paper 2 — Reasoning (approx. 35 minutes, 35 marks)
This paper tests children's ability to apply mathematical knowledge in different contexts. Some questions are read aloud by the teacher; others are read independently by the child.
Topics include everything from Paper 1, plus:
- Place value: Understanding tens and ones, ordering numbers, comparing using > and <
- Measurement: Reading scales, telling the time, measuring length (cm/m), weight (g/kg), capacity (ml/l)
- Geometry: Naming 2D and 3D shapes, recognising lines of symmetry, describing position and turns
- Statistics: Reading and interpreting simple tables, tally charts, and pictograms
- Word problems: Applying number skills to real-world scenarios. Example: “Tom has 15 sweets. He gives 6 to his friend. How many does he have left?”
Tip: Many children can do the calculation but lose marks by misreading the question. Practise word problems at home — the skill of extracting the maths from a sentence is just as important as the calculation itself.
Writing: Teacher Assessment
There is no writing test paper at KS1. Instead, teachers assess children's writing throughout Year 2 using the Teacher Assessment Framework published by the STA.
Teachers look at a body of evidence from classwork and assess against criteria such as:
- Writing sentences that make sense and are sequenced logically
- Using capital letters, full stops, question marks, and exclamation marks correctly
- Using conjunctions (and, but, because, when) to join ideas
- Using past and present tense correctly and consistently
- Spelling common exception words (the, said, were, because, etc.) and words using taught phonics patterns
- Forming letters correctly and beginning to use joined handwriting
The teacher assessment is arguably a more rounded picture of a child's writing ability than a one-off test would be — it captures their best work across different genres and contexts.
Understanding the Results
KS1 results are reported as one of three teacher assessment judgements for each subject (Reading, Writing, Maths, Science):
These judgements are informed by the test results and the teacher's own assessment throughout the year. The test score is not the sole determinant — it is one piece of evidence among many.
Results are shared with parents in the Year 2 annual report, usually in July. They are also passed to the child's Year 3 teacher to help plan support and challenge for the start of KS2.
How to Prepare at Home
KS1 SATs should require minimal specific preparation. The best support you can give is consistent, low-key engagement with reading and maths throughout Year 2 — not intensive revision.
Reading
- Read together every day: 15–20 minutes before bed is enough. Let your child choose books they enjoy — engagement matters more than difficulty level
- Ask questions while reading: “Why do you think she did that?” “What do you think will happen next?” “What does that word mean?” These mirror the question types in the papers
- Read a variety of texts: Stories, poems, non-fiction books about animals or space, recipes, instructions — the papers include different text types
- Build vocabulary naturally: When you encounter an unfamiliar word, explain it and use it in conversation. A strong vocabulary is one of the strongest predictors of reading comprehension
Maths
- Number bonds to 20: Make sure your child can quickly recall addition and subtraction facts within 20 (e.g. 7 + 8 = 15, 15 − 7 = 8). These are the foundation for everything else in KS1 maths
- 2, 5, and 10 times tables: These three tables are the Year 2 requirement. Count in 2s, 5s, and 10s regularly — in the car, while walking, during meals
- Telling the time: Practise reading o'clock, half past, quarter past, and quarter to on an analogue clock. This is a common question type
- Coins and money: Let your child handle real coins and work out totals or change. Money questions appear frequently in KS1 maths
- Maths in everyday life: Weighing ingredients while cooking, measuring heights, counting steps, sharing sweets equally — all of these build the mathematical thinking the papers assess
Writing
- Encourage writing for fun: Letters to grandparents, a diary, stories, lists, labels — any writing practice builds the skills assessed in the teacher assessment
- Practise common exception words: Words like the, said, were, because, could, should, would — these are tested in both reading and writing
- Model good writing: When your child writes, help them check: “Does it start with a capital letter? Does it end with a full stop? Does it make sense?”
What Not to Do
- Don't create anxiety: Children aged 6–7 should not be anxious about tests. If you talk about SATs at all, keep it casual: “You might do some special activities with your teacher this month — just do your best.”
- Don't do intensive “revision”: Long revision sessions are inappropriate and counter-productive for this age group. Short, playful practice is all that's needed
- Don't compare your child to others: Children develop at different rates. A child “working towards” at the end of Year 2 is not behind — they may simply need more time. Many children who are WTS at KS1 go on to meet or exceed expectations at KS2
- Don't buy stacks of past papers: One or two practice papers (to familiarise your child with the format) are plenty. Beyond that, reading together and practising number skills in everyday contexts is more effective and more age-appropriate
KS1 SATs are one small snapshot of your child's learning at age 7. They help schools plan support and track progress — they do not define your child's ability, potential, or future. The best gift you can give your Year 2 child is a love of reading, confidence with numbers, and the understanding that it is fine to find things hard sometimes. Those things will carry them much further than any test result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are KS1 SATs still compulsory?
No. Since the 2022–23 academic year, KS1 SATs have been optional for schools in England. Many schools continue to use them because they provide useful data and help calibrate teacher assessments. If you're unsure whether your school is administering them, ask your child's class teacher.
Will my child know they are taking a test?
In most schools, no. KS1 SATs are administered by the class teacher in the normal classroom during normal school hours. Many schools present them as “special activities” or simply integrate them into the school day without labelling them as tests. Children typically don't experience the formal exam atmosphere associated with KS2 SATs.
Do KS1 SATs affect which secondary school my child gets into?
No. KS1 results are not used in secondary school admissions. They are not shared with secondary schools. The results are used internally by the primary school to track progress and plan support. The assessments that affect secondary school progression are KS2 SATs (Year 6) and, for selective schools, the 11+ exam.
What happens if my child scores “working towards”?
This means your child is developing the skills expected by the end of Year 2 but hasn't fully met them yet. It is not a failure and does not have any negative consequences. The school will use this information to plan support in Year 3. Many children who are “working towards” at KS1 go on to meet or exceed the expected standard at KS2 — development at this age is highly variable.
Is there a Year 1 Phonics Screening Check as well?
Yes. The Phonics Screening Check is taken in June of Year 1 (age 5–6). It assesses whether children have met the expected standard in phonics — the ability to decode words using letter-sound knowledge. It is a separate assessment from KS1 SATs. Read our phonics and early reading guide for more details.
How do KS1 SATs compare to KS2 SATs?
KS1 SATs are shorter, simpler, teacher-administered, and much less formal. KS2 SATs are externally marked, taken under stricter conditions, cover more subjects (including GPS), and results are published as scaled scores. The two assessments serve different purposes: KS1 provides an early baseline; KS2 measures end-of-primary attainment. Read our full KS2 SATs guide for a detailed comparison.
Where can I find KS1 past papers?
Past papers are available free from the STA on GOV.UK. However, for Year 2 children, one or two practice papers for familiarity is sufficient — extensive paper practice is not necessary or appropriate at this age.