What subjects are tested in Year 6 SATs?
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Year 6 SATs cover English reading, English grammar, punctuation and spelling, and Maths. The Maths papers include one arithmetic paper and two reasoning papers. Science is sampled in some schools but not sat by every child. Writing is assessed by teachers throughout the year rather than by a formal test. The tests take place in a single week in mid-May and are marked externally by the Standards and Testing Agency.
What does the expected standard mean in SATs results?
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SATs results are reported as scaled scores from 80 to 120. A scaled score of 100 means your child is working at the expected standard for the end of Key Stage 2. A score of 110 or above is classed as working at greater depth or higher standard. Below 100 means they have not yet met the expected standard. Schools use these scores to inform setting in Year 7, but they do not affect secondary admissions.
How can I help my child revise for SATs at home?
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Focus on reading for pleasure, quick daily arithmetic and times tables, and one or two short practice papers a week from February onwards. CGP and Schofield and Sims produce affordable revision guides that match the national curriculum. Keep sessions to 20 or 30 minutes and always review mistakes together rather than just marking them. Most importantly, protect sleep, food and weekends so your child arrives in May rested and confident rather than exhausted.
Do SATs affect which secondary school my child attends?
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No. Secondary school places in England are allocated in March, two months before SATs are sat, based on your preferences and the school's admissions criteria. SATs results are shared with the secondary school in the summer and are often used to set children into ability groups for Maths and English in Year 7. They give teachers a starting picture but are not used to accept, reject or rank pupils for admission.
My child is anxious about SATs. What should I do?
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Start by reassuring them that SATs measure the school, not them, and that no secondary school cares about the result for admissions. Keep routines normal, avoid last-minute cramming the night before and make sure they eat breakfast on test days. If anxiety is affecting sleep or behaviour, speak to their class teacher early, as most schools are used to supporting worried children and can offer practical strategies or reassurance within the classroom.