Primary school students take SATs at the end of Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. It is important for parents to know everything about what SATs are in the UK and how they can prepare their children for these tests. This post will explain everything you should know about SATs in detail.
What Are SATs?
SATs are standard assessment tests taken by all primary schools in England, particularly for children currently in Year 2 and Year 6. All students take SATs twice in their primary school years.
The primary of SATs is to assess students’ educational progress at the end of Year 2 and Year 6. Moreover, it helps children revise the topics they have learned so far.
What Is The Purpose of SATs In the UK?
The main goal that SATs aim to achieve is to see how much progress a child has made at primary school at the end of Key Stages. This is not about whether your child fails or passes. It only shows or indicates the level of students they are currently at. Nobody denies the effectiveness of SATs as it impacts students’ academic careers.
KS1 SATs For Year 2 StudentsÂ
Year 2 students in primary school take the KS1 SATs, and school teachers check these tests. There is no external marking for Year 2 SATs papers. The tests are relatively informal and do not put pressure on students.
In KS1 SATs, students are tested in Maths and English. The year 2 Maths SATs test involves arithmetic and the Year 2 English test covers spelling, reading, grammar and punctuation.
A few primary schools also take optional SATs in Years 3, 4 and 5. The results of KS1 SATs are not recorded nationally, but it does help school teachers to assess the child’s knowledge.
There are multiple resources available for students, click here to check out the SATs lessons.
KS2 SATs For Year 6 Students
KS2 students in primary school take the Year 6 SATs. These tests are formal and have set dates. Moreover, Year 6 SATs papers are marked externally in most primary schools in England.
- KS2 SATs English Test includes grammar, punctuation, comprehension and spelling.
- KS2 SATs Maths Test covers arithmetic and mathematical reasoning questions.
Also, primary school teachers assess students on writing, speaking, listening and also for science. This teacher assessment allows schools and the government to judge a student’s performance in a particular subject.
What Areas Are Covered In KS1 SATs Papers?
KS1 SATs papers cover Maths and English with different topics.
Key Stage 1 Maths SATs:
There are two papers for the Year 2 Maths SATs exam.
- The first paper covers an arithmetic test of 25 marks and takes around 15 minutes.
- The second paper involves problem-solving, reasoning and maths fluency. The marks of this paper are 35, and it takes around 35 minutes to complete it. Students get to solve different questions.
Key Stage 1 English SATs:
Year 2 English SATs papers focus on grammar, punctuation and spelling.
- The first paper covers a spelling test of 20 marks which takes 15 minutes.
- The second KS1 English SATs paper involves punctuation, grammar and vocabulary and comes with two sections of 10 minutes each. The total marks are 20.
Key Stage 1 SATs Reading:
There are also two papers for SATs reading.
- The first paper consists of different texts with 400 to 700 words. Students need to solve questions placed throughout.
- The second paper covers a reading booklet with multiple passages. However, there are 800 to 1100 words in total.
The texts covered in SATs reading tests are fiction, nonfiction and poetry. So, students better prepare for it and get guidance from SATs experts.
What Areas Are Covered In KS2 SATs Papers In the UK?
Like KS1 SATs, Key Stage 2 test papers also focus on Maths and English.
Key Stage 2 Maths SATs:
- The first paper covers arithmetic questions for which students need to answer the given calculation correctly.
- The second and third KS2 Maths SATs papers cover various questions, including MCQs, True or False and some analytical questions.
Key Stage 2 English SATs:
- The KS2 SATs English test papers cover spelling, grammar and punctuation. It lasts for 45 minutes.
- Moreover, it includes an aural spelling test of 20 words, which takes roughly 15 minutes.
KS2 SATs Reading:
- Students have only 1 hour to answer the questions given in KS2 SAT reading the paper, covering three texts or passages.
If your child appears in Year 2 or Year 6 SATs, consider online SATs exam preparation with specialist tutors. Adnan Khan Tutoring knows what your child needs to prepare for SATs in the UK.
Explaining SATs Scores and Results
As explained earlier, there is no external marking for KS1 SATs; it is considered just a way to assess the child’s progress. However, schools send KS2 SATs tests for external marking, and students get the results.
There will be a detailed report of SATs scores your child gets, explaining:
- Raw Score
This score indicates the actual marks students get in their SATs exams. - Scaled Score
It is simply the conversion score, making the year-on-year comparison of results. - Expected Standard
It tells whether the pupils have achieved the national standard or not.
SATs Results Explained:
- A score below 100 means students have not achieved the expected standard.
- A score between 100 and 109 means students have achieved the expected standard.
And scoring 110 or over means students have exceeded the expected standard.
How Can We Help Your Child Prepare For SATs?
Preparing for SATs comes with challenges, but none for our specialist online SATs tutors. We offer additional preparation in online SATs tuition for KS1 and KS2.
Here’s what you get through our SATs preparation for Year 2 and Year 6.
- Our tutors create a SATs revision plan that covers different aspects and tailors all lessons to your child’s learning needs.
- We offer live one-to-one and group SATs tutoring classes, in which tutors cover all reading, Maths and English SATs test papers for KS1 and KS2.
- Online SATs practice tests and quizzes are provided to students preparing for primary school assessment tests. It allows students to practise different types of questions.
- Adnan Khan tutoring also offers SATs mock test papers and additional revision classes to ensure students prepare well.
At Adnan Khan Tutoring, we focus on building a positive attitude in students that helps them deal with exam stress. Our SATs Year 2 and Year 6 practice tests cover all lessons and topics your child must revise for the exams. We hope this blog explains what SATs papers are and how to prepare for them in the UK.
Get in touch with us for more SATs preparation guidance!