SATs Scores Explained
How raw marks become scaled scores, what 100 really means, and what to do if your child's score is not what you expected.
Last updated: 30 October 2026
How SATs Are Scored
KS2 SATs use a two-step scoring system. First, your child receives a raw score — the number of marks they earned on each paper. That raw score is then converted into a scaled score, which is the number reported to parents and used by the Department for Education. The conversion accounts for differences in paper difficulty from year to year, so a scaled score of 100 always means the same standard, regardless of when your child sat the test.
Important: school mock tests typically report raw scores (e.g. 67 out of 110). Official SATs results report scaled scores (e.g. 103). If your child brought home a mock result, it is almost certainly a raw score — not a scaled score.
100 = expected standard. Not 100%.
A scaled score of 100 does not mean your child answered every question correctly. It is the benchmark that roughly corresponds to the level expected of an average Year 6 pupil.
What Is a Raw Score?
The raw score is simply the total number of marks your child achieved across the relevant papers. Each subject has a different maximum:
| Subject | Papers | Max Raw |
|---|---|---|
| Maths | Arithmetic (40) + Reasoning P2 (35) + Reasoning P3 (35) | 110 |
| Reading | Single reading paper | 50 |
| GPS | Grammar & punctuation (50) + Spelling (20) | 70 |
Some questions are worth more than one mark, so getting one question wrong does not always mean losing just one mark. Always check the mark scheme to understand how marks are allocated.
What Is a Scaled Score?
The raw score is converted into a scaled score on a range of 80 to 120. This conversion exists because some years' papers are harder than others. By scaling, the DfE ensures that a score of 100 always represents the same standard — the "expected standard" for the end of Key Stage 2. The conversion table is published by the Standards and Testing Agency (STA) (opens in new tab) after the papers have been marked each year.
See what each scaled score means, or the 2026 thresholds for maths, reading and GPS.
Worked example
Imagine your child scored 67 out of 110 raw marks in maths. In 2026, that raw score converted to a scaled score of 102. That means they have met the expected standard (100+) with a comfortable margin. The same raw score of 67 converted to 103 in 2024, because paper difficulty changes — which is exactly why scaling exists.
If your child brought home a mock test result of 89 out of 110 in maths, that is a raw score — and it is well above the 54 to 58 raw marks needed for the expected standard from 2024 to 2026. You can estimate their scaled score using our SATs Score Calculator.
What Score Does My Child Need?
A scaled score of 100 or above means your child has met the expected standard. The raw mark needed to reach 100 varies each year depending on paper difficulty. From 2024 to 2026, the raw mark needed for 100 was:
- Maths: 54 to 58 out of 110
- Reading: 25 to 28 out of 50
- GPS: 34 to 35 out of 70
The mark changes every year. The official conversion tables, published by the STA in July, are the only definitive source.
SATs Score Calculator
Enter your child's raw marks and get an estimated scaled score instantly. Free — no account needed.
Understanding Your Child's Score
Below 100 — below the expected standard
Your child has not yet reached the benchmark. This is not a "fail" — there is no pass or fail in KS2 SATs, and there is no option to resit. Schools will provide additional support in Year 7. SATs results help secondary schools plan that support, not label or limit your child.
100-109 — met the expected standard
This is the most common band, and it is a solid result. Your child has demonstrated the knowledge and skills expected at the end of primary school. A score of 100 and a score of 109 both mean the same thing: expected standard met.
110 or more — well above the expected standard
This indicates your child is exceeding expectations and has a strong command of the curriculum. It is a wonderful achievement — but scoring 110 or more is not required. Meeting 100 is the goal.
What If My Child Does Not Reach 100?
First, take a deep breath. A scaled score below 100 is not a "fail" — it means your child has not yet reached the expected standard in that subject. Schools will continue to provide support, and there is no requirement or option to resit. SATs results do not affect secondary school placement in most areas (grammar schools being the main exception). Your child's score is shared with their new secondary school to help teachers plan appropriate support — not to label or limit them.
In 2025/26, 63% of Year 6 children met the expected standard across all three subjects (DfE, 2025/26). That means 37% did not — your child is far from alone, and the support systems are well-established.
See which topics need attention
SATs Arcade shows you exactly where your child is strong and where they need practice — by topic, by subject. 7-day free trial. Cancel before day 7 and you won't be charged.
Check Your Child's Weak Areas →How to Improve Scores
The best way to improve is regular, targeted practice. Focus on the topics where marks are being dropped rather than revising what your child already knows well. Read the explanations when mistakes are made — understanding why an answer is wrong is more valuable than simply knowing the right answer. SATs Arcade's adaptive system does this automatically, serving more questions on weak topics and fewer on strong ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What score does my child need to reach the expected standard?
A scaled score of 100 or above means your child has met the expected standard. This is not the same as getting 100% — it is a benchmark. The raw mark needed varies each year.
What is a scaled score?
The raw score is converted into a scaled score on a range of 80 to 120. The DfE scales results so that 100 always represents the same standard, regardless of paper difficulty.
What if my child does not reach 100?
A scaled score below 100 means your child has not yet reached the expected standard. It is not a fail. There is no option to resit. Schools will continue to provide support.
What does a score of 110 or more mean in SATs?
A scaled score of 110 or more is well above the expected standard. It indicates strong command of the curriculum but is not required — meeting 100 is the goal.
Related Guides
Ready to start preparing?
25,300+ SATs questions with step-by-step explanations, adaptive difficulty, and a parent dashboard that shows exactly where your child stands.
Start your 7-day free trial →