Skip to content ↓

Year 6 SATs Guide For Parents

Year 6 SATs

Year 6 SATs
If your child is in Year 6, then it’s likely you’ll have lots of questions about their upcoming SATs. However, there’s no need to worry because here at Stamshaw, we’ve put together this handy guide that includes all the important information you will need to know.  

What are SATs?

What are SATs?
The Standard Assessment Tests (otherwise known as SATs) check your child’s knowledge of the National Curriculum. The tests are compulsory for Year 6 students, and they’re used to assess your child against age-related expectations.  

What are SATs results used for?

What are SATs results used for?
Year 6 SATs results are used to measure both the school and each child’s progress and achievements in maths, spelling, punctuation & grammar, plus reading.
The results show the progress between Year 2 and Year 6, which is really important to show what children have learnt in English and Maths. 
Many secondary schools also use Year 6 SATs results to determine what set a child will be assigned to in Year 7. Secondary schools may also do their own tests to help assess children. It is best to check with your secondary school if you are unsure. Secondary schools may also use Year 6 English and Maths SATs results to help generate targets for each child for secondary school. This is called Progress 8, and measures how a child progresses during secondary school.

When does my child take their SATs?

When does my child take their SATs?

In Year 6, SATs Week is always in May. This means that your child will have almost all of the academic year to prepare for their SATs.

Over the course of SATs week, children in Year 6 take six different papers. These are spread across the week, with children taking a maximum of two tests per day. There is always a break between papers.

What SATs papers do children take in Year 6?

What SATs papers do children take in Year 6?

During SATs week, your child will be tested on their English and Maths knowledge. They will sit the following Year 6 SATs papers (usually in this order):

  • English SPaG Paper 1 (short answer questions)
  • English SPaG Paper 2 (spelling test)
  • English Reading Paper
  • Mathematics Arithmetic (Paper 1)
  • Mathematics Reasoning (Paper 2)
  • Mathematics Reasoning (Paper 3)
*SPaG = spelling, punctuation and grammar.

How are tests graded?

How are tests graded?

All Year 6 SATs tests are marked externally and returned to the school. Each child is then given a scaled score that ranges from 80 to 120, with a score of 100 or more meaning that the child has achieved the expected standard.

Your child’s scaled score is based on their raw score (how many questions they answered correctly).

How can I help my child prepare for their SATs?

How can I help my child prepare for their SATs?

SATs can be a stressful time for parents and children alike, but there is much that you can do to help your child with their KS2 SATs revision.

For all subjects, you can work on past SATs papers with your child

This website has a wide range of previous SATs paper for Maths and English.

https://www.sats-papers.co.uk/ks2-sats-papers/

Also, for all subjects visit BBC Bitesize KS2 SATs
For Maths, the children can replay previous lessons by watching these teaching videos from White Rose Maths Home Learning - White Rose Maths
Also for Maths, you can visit My Mini Maths website to practice arithmetic skills specifically. KS2 SATs Papers - Practice Arithmetic Papers
Visit Mathsframe to learn maths skills while playing fun games. Mathsframe - Free Maths Games
For English, the children can practice their skills online using the IXL website. IXL English - Online English Practice