Standard Assessment Tests (SATs)
Year 6 Standard Assessment Tests (SATs) can be a daunting time for both parents and children. We can help your child practise the topics and skills needed to tackle the SATs, building their confidence in each element of the tests and the question types they’ll face.
Overview of Key Stage 2 Standard Assessment Tests
These assessments take place in May of Year 6 (age 10/11) in English (grammar, punctuation, spelling and reading) and Maths. They help schools understand how best to support your child, ensure progress and maintain certain levels.
What do Standard Assessment Tests measure?
- The progress your child has made so far
- Indicates the level your child is currently working at
- Assesses your child’s understanding of multiple skills and concepts
English grammar, punctuation and spelling
The test requires children to identify and write sentences that have correct grammar, punctuation, vocabulary and spelling. They assess on the children’s technical understanding of the English language as well as their writing ability. It comprises of 3 papers:
- English SPAG Paper 1: grammar & punctuation
- English SPAG Paper 2: spelling
- English reading
Paper 1 – A series of SPAG questions requiring short answers. Children will have 45 minutes to answer questions, which are worth a total of 50 marks.
Paper 2 – This is a spelling paper, children are given a section of text with 20 missing words. A test transcript is read by the test administrator and children have to spell the missing words in their answer booklet. The paper takes approximately 20 minutes but is not strictly timed. The spellings are worth 20 marks in total.
Reading – This contains comprehension-based questions on three different genres of text. The test will have a reading booklet and a separate answer booklet. Children will have 60 minutes to read all three texts and complete the questions, which are worth a total of 50 marks.
Mathematics
- Mathematics Paper 1: arithmetic
- Mathematics Paper 2: reasoning
- Mathematics Paper 3: reasoning
Paper 1 – Largely arithmetic based, assessing the children’s grasp of mathematical calculations. The questions cover addition, subtraction, long division, long multiplication and more complex calculations including fractions. Children will have 30 minutes to answer the questions, which are worth 40 marks in total.
Paper 2 and 3 – Assess reasoning and problem solving. Both papers contain varied question types including multiple choice, true or false, constrained questions (giving the answer to a calculation, drawing a shape or completing a table/chart) and problem solving. Children will have 40 minutes per paper to answer the questions, which are worth 35 marks.
Are there any example questions I can look at?
Yes. The Department for Education has produced some free sample papers for the Key Stage 2 SATs tests that you can download.
To find out more about how we can support your child through their SATs, or to set up a trial session we’re here to help.
Louisa MF2025-03-05Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our son was delighted to accept his first choice school and I have no doubt that Teach Wessex played an enormous part in his success. We will be returning when it’s time for our daughter to do the same. Thank you, Phil and Katie. a k2024-10-25Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Phil and Katie have been amazing and this is the place to let your child prepare for grammar school entrance exam-look for no other tuition as we cannot thank them enough for guiding and mentoring our son who passed two different grammar school entrance exams and get entry into grammar school (HGS and NHGS-Yorkshire). I cannot praise enough their professionalism blended with dedication and sincerity in helping our son. Thank you again and good luck to your future students! Carolina Tex2024-10-23Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I would highly recommend Teach Wessex for 11+ tuition. Our teacher, Saphire, was very attentive, clear in her instructions and explaniots, and really cared about my daughter's learning. We are very happy after receiving excellent results after my daughter exam. Holly Harms2024-10-23Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can highly recommend Phil (and Katie!) as 11+ grammar preparation tutors. Phil is an experienced, engaging, personable and effective tutor who taught and helped my son successfully pass the 11+ exam in September 2024. He is very knowledgeable, and his enthusiasm for teaching and learning is evident and contagious! Tutor sessions were held online via Zoom - this worked well and enabled flexibility in our busy schedule! We also attended the Mock Exam sessions at Broadstone which helped my son prepare and gain confidence for the actual exam day. Phil and Katie are a great team: professional, incredibly supportive, and very organised! I can’t recommend them highly enough! Kate Moores2024-09-24Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My son has attended the mock exams for his 11+ with Katie and Phil. After every mock the feedback was returned quickly and gave a full insight of the gaps in his knowledge to allow us to prepare him for the actual 11+. Seeing his scores increase after every assessment showed us how effective and invaluable this feedback was. I would highly recommend Teach Wessex and advocate undertaking all mocks offered. Leeanne Walters-Dove2024-05-22Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My son had English and Maths revision with Lesley (English) and Gary (Maths) both were brilliant tutors, explains things in a way that my son understood, went over topics he had not covered at school properly and improved his knowledge over all. He is half way though his GCSEs now but the tutoring has taken away a lot of the stress as he feels more confident in his abilities. Would highly recommend Teach Wessex! Lorna Prout2024-03-05Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Katie and Lesley have been great with my daughter. Lesley has been providing English (both language and literature) tuition for my daughter throughout years 10 and 11. Both have been super flexible fitting round our current schedules and Lesley has been so patient with my daughter who is severely dyslexic. Rajinder Atwal2023-10-13Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My son attended the Teach Wessex mock exam for the grammar school test. He found it an invaluable experience. After sitting the exam he went in to the real exam feeling relaxed and knowing exactly what to expect. Melissa Tettenborn2023-08-27Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My experience of Teach Wessex has been extremely positive and I am pleased to say the excellent tuition paid off at exam time. Here are some of the reasons why I would wholeheartedly recommend Teach Wessex tuition: - Katie’s administration was superb. She always kept us informed of any changes, texted reminders of sessions and communicated updates in a timely manner - Everyone at the company is professional and works with integrity - My daughter’s tutor, Gill, was knowledgeable. kind and calm - She taught at my daughter’s pace and linked sessions to her school work which ensured consistency of approach and learning - If we had a clash this was well managed and if notice given then sessions rearranged without fuss - Payment was regular and well handled. - My daughter felt valued and could see her progression which built confidence Overall it has been an excellent experience and I would not hesitate to recommend Teach Wessex. martin Applegate2023-07-09Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our daughter had some private maths tuition with Gill leading up to her GCSE's. We couldn't have wished for a better tutor. The confidence it gave her, not only in maths but throughout every exam has been nothing short of amazing. Would we recommend Teach Wessex? Absolutely! Not only was the tuition 5☆, but also the communication from Katie, who kept us informed throughout the entire process. Gill/Katie, thank you again for all you help, I'm sure it will lead to better things for Emily.