SATs Tests for Year 6 pupils take place in May.
Each year we hold at least one parent information evening for parents and carers. We share information, answer questions and hope to provide reassurance, as we explain the process, share examples of SATs papers and explained the mark scheme. If parents and carers are unable to attend we automatically share the presentation slides via email.
During ‘SATs’ week,’ as it is often called, children in Year 6 will, over the four days above, undergo tests in reading comprehension, spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPAG) and maths. There is 1 x reading paper, 1 x spelling and 1 punctuation and grammar papers. In the maths tests, the skills of arithmetic and mathematical reasoning are tested over 2 days and 3 papers.
These tests will be marked externally, results will be used to measure your child’s progress and the school’s performance. Your child’s marks will be used in conjunction with teacher assessment to give a broader picture of their attainment.
Key Stage 2 Reading
The reading test will provisionally be a single paper with questions based on one 800-word text and two passages of 300 words. Your child will have one hour, including reading time, to complete the assessment.
There will be a selection of question types, including:
Ranking/ordering, e.g. ‘Number the events below to show the order in which they happen in the story’
Labelling, e.g. ‘Label the text to show the title of the story’
Find and copy, e.g. ‘Find and copy one word that suggests what the weather is like in the story’
Short constructed response, e.g. ‘What does the bear eat?’
Open-ended response, e.g. ‘Look at the sentence that begins Once upon a time. How does the writer increase the tension throughout this paragraph? Explain fully, referring to the text in your answer.’
Key Stage 2 Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling Test
The grammar, punctuation and spelling test will consist of two parts: a grammar and punctuation paper requiring short answers, lasting 45 minutes, and an aural spelling test of 20 words, lasting around 15 minutes.
The grammar and punctuation test will include two sub-types of questions:
Selected response, e.g. ‘Identify the adjectives in the sentence below’
Constructed response, e.g. ‘Correct/complete/rewrite the sentence below,’ or, ‘The sentence below has an apostrophe missing. Explain why it needs an apostrophe.’
Key Stage 2 Maths
Children will sit three papers in maths:
Paper 1: written arithmetic, 30 minutes
Papers 2 and 3: mathematical fluency, solving problems and reasoning, 40 minutes per paper
Paper 1 will consist of fixed response questions, where children have to give the correct answer to calculations, including long multiplication and division. Papers 2 and 3 will involve a number of question types, including:
Multiple choice
True or false
Constrained questions, e.g. giving the answer to a calculation, drawing a shape or completing a table or chart
Less constrained questions, where children will have to explain their approach for solving a problem.
How will Key Stage 2 SATs be marked?
Children will be given standardised scores. You will be given your child’s score, alongside the average for their school, the local area and nationally. There will also be a ‘performance descriptor’ of the expected standard for Key Stage 2 pupils. The Department for Education is aiming for 85 per cent of children to reach or exceed that standard.