Question 1

What are SATs?

Accepted Answer

SATs (Standard Assessment Tests) are national tests taken by children in Year 6 at the end of Key Stage 2. They assess reading, maths, and grammar, punctuation and spelling (GPS) against the national curriculum. Every state primary school in England is required to administer them.

Question 2

Are SATs compulsory?

Accepted Answer

SATs are compulsory for all children attending state-funded primary schools in England. Independent (private) schools are not required to administer them, though some choose to. Parents cannot formally opt their child out, although there is no legal penalty for absence.

Question 3

When are SATs?

Accepted Answer

KS2 SATs take place during the second full week of May each year. The timetable is set nationally by the Department for Education and all schools must administer the papers on the same four days.

Question 4

What subjects are tested in SATs?

Accepted Answer

SATs test three subjects: maths (arithmetic and reasoning), reading (comprehension), and grammar, punctuation and spelling (GPS). Writing and science are assessed by teachers but are not part of the formal SATs tests.

Question 5

How long are the SATs tests?

Accepted Answer

The arithmetic paper is 30 minutes. Each reasoning paper is 40 minutes. The reading paper is 60 minutes. The GPS grammar and punctuation paper is 45 minutes, and the spelling test is approximately 15 minutes.

Question 6

What score does my child need to pass SATs?

Accepted Answer

There is no formal pass or fail. A scaled score of 100 or above means your child has reached the "expected standard". The raw marks needed to achieve a scaled score of 100 vary each year depending on the difficulty of the papers.

Question 7

Can my child use a calculator in SATs?

Accepted Answer

No. Calculators are not permitted in any KS2 SATs paper. Children must complete all arithmetic and reasoning questions using written methods only.

Question 8

What if my child is ill during SATs week?

Accepted Answer

If your child is absent during SATs week, the school may be able to administer a timed test within a short window after the scheduled date, subject to strict rules set by the STA. If this is not possible, the child will simply not receive a test result and the school will report teacher assessments instead.

Question 9

When should we start revising for SATs?

Accepted Answer

Most educators recommend starting gentle revision in the autumn term of Year 6 (September). This gives plenty of time for consistent, low-pressure practice. Starting too late can increase stress, while starting too early may lead to burnout.

Question 10

How much SATs revision is enough?

Accepted Answer

Short daily sessions of 15 to 20 minutes are far more effective than long weekend cramming sessions. Consistency matters more than volume. As SATs week approaches, your child's school will typically increase practice during school hours.

Question 11

Should I hire a tutor for SATs?

Accepted Answer

A tutor is not necessary for most children. The school curriculum covers everything tested in SATs. However, a tutor can help if your child is struggling with specific topics or needs extra confidence. Online practice platforms like SATs Arcade offer a flexible and affordable alternative.

Question 12

What are the best SATs revision resources?

Accepted Answer

The best resources combine practice questions, explanations, and progress tracking. Past papers from the STA website are excellent for familiarisation. Online platforms like SATs Arcade provide interactive, curriculum-aligned questions with instant feedback. Revision workbooks from publishers like CGP and Collins are also popular.

Question 13

How can I help my child prepare for SATs at home?

Accepted Answer

Read together regularly, practise times tables, and encourage short daily revision sessions. Keep the atmosphere positive and focus on effort rather than results. Familiarise your child with question formats so the tests feel less daunting.

Question 14

Is online SATs practice as good as paper?

Accepted Answer

Both have benefits. Online practice offers instant feedback, progress tracking, and a more engaging experience for many children. Paper practice helps with handwriting and exam technique. A mix of both is ideal. The actual SATs are paper-based, so some paper practice is worthwhile.

Question 15

My child hates revision — what do I do?

Accepted Answer

Try making it feel less like revision. Gamified platforms, quiz-style challenges, and short bursts of practice can help. Let your child choose when and how they revise. Avoid battles over homework and focus on building a positive routine rather than forcing long study sessions.

Question 16

Should my child do SATs practice papers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but in moderation. One or two full practice papers help your child understand the format, timing, and question styles. However, doing too many can increase anxiety. Supplement with topic-focused practice to target weak areas without the pressure of a timed full paper.

Question 17

What happens each day of SATs week?

Accepted Answer

Monday: GPS grammar and punctuation paper, then GPS spelling test. Tuesday: Reading paper. Wednesday: Maths arithmetic paper, then maths reasoning paper 2. Thursday: Maths reasoning paper 3. Friday is a normal school day with no tests.

Question 18

Can I keep my child off school during SATs week?

Accepted Answer

While there is no legal penalty for absence, schools strongly discourage it. Keeping your child off means they will not receive SATs results. If your child is genuinely unwell, the school may be able to arrange for them to sit missed papers within a short window afterwards.

Question 19

What access arrangements are available for SATs?

Accepted Answer

Children with special educational needs or disabilities may receive access arrangements such as extra time, a reader, a scribe, or a modified paper. These must be applied for by the school in advance and reflect the support the child normally receives in the classroom.

Question 20

Will my child be stressed during SATs?

Accepted Answer

Some children feel nervous, but most schools work hard to keep the atmosphere calm and positive. Talk to your child about what to expect, reassure them that SATs do not define them, and avoid adding extra pressure at home. If anxiety is significant, speak to your child's teacher for support.

Question 21

What should my child eat for breakfast before SATs?

Accepted Answer

A balanced breakfast with slow-release energy is ideal. Porridge, wholemeal toast, eggs, or fruit all work well. Avoid sugary cereals that cause energy crashes. Make sure your child drinks water too. Keep the morning routine calm and normal.

Question 22

Can my child bring anything into the SATs test?

Accepted Answer

Children may bring pens, pencils, an eraser, a ruler, and an angle measurer or protractor for maths papers. They cannot bring calculators, mobile phones, smartwatches, or any notes. The school provides everything else needed.

Question 23

What happens if my child does not finish the SATs test?

Accepted Answer

Many children do not finish every question, and that is perfectly normal. Encourage your child to attempt every question they can and not to spend too long on any single question. Marks are awarded for correct answers only — there is no penalty for wrong answers or blank questions.

Question 24

When do SATs results come out?

Accepted Answer

SATs results are usually sent to schools in early July, and schools share them with parents before the end of the summer term. For 2026, expect results in July 2026. National statistics are published later in the year by the Department for Education.

Question 25

How are SATs papers marked?

Accepted Answer

SATs papers are marked externally by trained markers, not by your child's teacher. This ensures consistency and fairness across all schools. The spelling test is marked by the school using a provided mark scheme.

Question 26

What do SATs scores mean?

Accepted Answer

Each subject produces a scaled score between 80 and 120. A score of 100 or above means your child has reached the expected standard. Below 100 means they have not yet met the standard in that subject. Scores of 110 or above indicate working at greater depth.

Question 27

What is a scaled score?

Accepted Answer

A scaled score is a standardised score that allows fair comparison between years, even when paper difficulty varies. Raw marks (the actual number of marks achieved) are converted into scaled scores using a conversion table published after marking. This means a scaled score of 100 represents the same standard every year.

Question 28

Do SATs results affect secondary school?

Accepted Answer

For most children, no. Secondary school admissions are based on catchment area, distance, and sibling priority — not SATs scores. Some secondary schools use SATs data for initial setting into ability groups, but this does not affect which school your child attends. Grammar schools use separate 11+ entrance exams.

Question 29

What if my child does not reach the expected standard?

Accepted Answer

Not reaching the expected standard is not uncommon and is not a cause for alarm. Your child's secondary school will receive their SATs data and provide appropriate support. Many children who score below 100 in Year 6 go on to thrive at secondary school. SATs are a snapshot, not a prediction of future success.

Question 30

Can I appeal my child's SATs results?

Accepted Answer

Schools can apply for papers to be re-marked if they believe there has been a marking error. Parents cannot request a re-mark directly but can ask the school to do so on their behalf. Re-mark requests must be submitted within a short window after results are published.

SATs FAQ: 30 Questions Every Parent Asks

Before SATs

Preparing for SATs

During SATs Week

After SATs / Results

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