KS2 SATs: A Complete Guide for Parents (Year 6)

KS2 SATs are the national assessments taken by children at the end of Year 6, typically in May. They are more formal than KS1 SATs and generate a great deal of parental concern — often more than is warranted. This guide explains exactly what happens, how the results work, and how to help your child prepare effectively.

The SATs Week

KS2 SATs take place over four days in May (usually the second week). The schedule is:

• Monday: Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (GPS) Paper 1 (45 mins) + Spelling Paper 2 (approximately 15 mins)
• Tuesday: Reading (60 mins)
• Wednesday: Maths Paper 1 — Arithmetic (30 mins)
• Thursday: Maths Paper 2 — Reasoning (40 mins) + Maths Paper 3 — Reasoning (40 mins)

There is no Writing SATs paper — writing is assessed by teachers throughout Year 6 based on work produced in class.

What Each Paper Tests

Reading (60 minutes)
Children read a booklet containing three texts — typically one fiction, one non-fiction, and one poetry or mixed text — then answer comprehension questions. Question types include retrieval, inference, vocabulary, language effect, and summary. This is a challenging paper and requires both reading speed and comprehension skill.

GPS Paper 1 (Grammar and Punctuation)
45 questions in 45 minutes covering: sentence types, parts of speech, punctuation usage, active/passive voice, modal verbs, subjunctive forms, and more. Children circle, underline, or write short answers — there is no extended writing.

GPS Paper 2 (Spelling)
20 words read aloud in sentences by the teacher. Children write the missing word. Draws from the Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling list.

Maths Paper 1 (Arithmetic)
40 questions in 30 minutes. All calculation — no calculator. Tests written methods (addition, subtraction, multiplication, long division), fractions, decimals, percentages, and order of operations. Speed and accuracy both matter here.

Maths Papers 2 and 3 (Reasoning)
40 minutes each. Problem-solving using a range of maths topics. Questions require children to apply their knowledge in unfamiliar contexts, often across multiple steps. These papers separate children who understand maths from those who have simply learned procedures.

How Results Work: Scaled Scores

KS2 SATs results are reported as scaled scores, which are calculated from raw marks:

• A scaled score of 100 means the child is working at the expected standard
• Scores range from 80 (lowest) to 120 (highest)
• Children who score 100 or above in Reading, GPS, and Maths are said to have met the expected standard
• High scores (typically 110+) indicate greater depth

The raw mark required to achieve 100 varies each year depending on the difficulty of that year's papers. A child who scores 60% of available marks in one year might achieve 100; in another year it might require 65% — the scaling accounts for this.

Do SATs Results Affect Secondary School?

SATs results are not used in secondary school admissions. Grammar schools and selective schools use their own entrance exams (the 11+). State secondary schools do not use SATs scores to allocate places.

However, secondary schools do receive SATs results and often use them to inform setting decisions and to identify where students may need additional support. A strong SATs score can be a useful signal — but it is not the final word on your child's ability or future success.

How to Prepare at Home

• Start early: The most effective preparation begins in Year 5 or early Year 6 — not the week before the tests
• Practise all three subjects: Many families focus only on maths — but GPS and Reading count equally
• Prioritise arithmetic: Paper 1 is entirely arithmetic and can be significantly improved with consistent daily practice of written methods and times tables
• Read widely: The Reading paper requires speed and comprehension across fiction and non-fiction — both require regular practice
• Keep a routine: 20–30 minutes of focused practice each day is more effective than weekend cramming sessions