Year 6 standardised assessment tests, commonly known as SATs, are a crucial part of the educational journey for pupils in England. These tests are designed to assess the academic progress of pupils at the end of Key Stage 2.
Year 6 SATs are formal exams that cover core subjects such as:
In English, pupils are assessed on reading comprehension, grammar, punctuation, and spelling. The reading test evaluates their ability to understand and interpret texts, while the SPaG test checks their knowledge of linguistic conventions. The grammar and punctuation paper will include a mix of multiple-choice and short-answer questions. The spelling paper will require pupils to listen to their teacher read a transcript and spell out missing words in their answer booklet.
In Mathematics, the focus is on arithmetic and mathematical reasoning. The maths test is made up of 3 papers. The Arithmetic paper is made up of fixed response calculations. It covers operations like fractions, decimals, percentages, long division, and multiplication. Papers 2 & 3 assesses mathematical fluency with problems and reasoning. It includes multiple-choice questions, true or false questions, and some questions that require pupils to explain or justify their answers. The questions generally get more challenging towards the end of the paper.
The SATs are usually administered in May each year. The tests are spread over a week, with specific days allocated for each subject. The 2025 tests will take place from Monday 12th May to Thursday 15th May.
The test schedule is as follows:
Monday, May 12: English grammar, punctuation, and spelling (Papers 1 and 2)
Preparation for SATs typically involves a combination of classroom learning, practice tests, and revision sessions. Schools often provide additional resources and support to help pupils perform their best. Parents can also play a supportive role by encouraging regular study habits and providing a stress-free learning environment at home.
To discover how Sumdog can assist your pupils with SATs preparation even before they reach Year 6, get in touch with us today.