Year 6 SATs Guide for Parents
If your child is entering 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 on the Year Six website, we’ve put together this handy guide that includes all the important information you will need to know.
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?
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. Note, from 2023 onwards, KS1 SATs are non-statutory and therefore progress will be measured from Reception Baseline Assessments, which are administered in reception class.
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?
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?
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)
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?
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 their Year 6 Maths SATs papers, the best way of helping your child revise is to help them with their homework throughout the year. This way, you’ll gain a good understanding of what they’ve been learning in their lessons at school. Then, you can use this information to help them revise closer to exam time.
In addition to this, it’s also a good idea to help them practise their Maths skills in everyday life. For example, you can get them to help you add up the money in your pocket or calculate the change you should expect from the shop. You can also surprise them with times tables sums while you’re out and about.
Similarly, when helping your child prepare for their Year 6 English SATs papers, make sure you help your child complete all of their homework. Plus, get them to read to you regularly, and help them with any spellings that they get set by their teacher.
Whether you’re helping your child revise for their English SATs or Maths SATs, the best way to help them prepare is to complete a number of SATs practice papers with them. This way, not only will they get used to the questions they’ll be asked during their SATs, but they’ll also get used to the format of the paper, too.