KS2 SATs (Standard Assessment Tests) are national assessments taken by all Year 6 pupils in England during May. The tests assess children in English Reading, English Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling (GPS), and Mathematics.
SATs results are reported as scaled scores from 80 to 120, with 100 being the expected standard. A score of 110 or above is classified as Greater Depth. These results help secondary schools understand your child's attainment level and are used by the government to measure school performance.
The 2026 SATs will take place over four consecutive days from Monday 11th May to Thursday 14th May 2026.
Official Timetable
SATs 2026 Test Dates
The KS2 SATs take place over four days in May. Here is the complete timetable with all six papers.
Date
Test
Monday
11th May 2026
English GPS — Paper 1: Questions45 minutes
Grammar, punctuation & vocabulary — 50 marks
English GPS — Paper 2: Spelling20 minutes
20 spelling questions read aloud by teacher — 20 marks
Tuesday
12th May 2026
English Reading60 minutes
Reading booklet with 3 texts + answer booklet — 50 marks
Wednesday
13th May 2026
Mathematics — Paper 1: Arithmetic30 minutes
Fixed procedure calculations — 40 marks
Mathematics — Paper 2: Reasoning40 minutes
Multi-step problems, word problems & data — 35 marks
Thursday
14th May 2026
Mathematics — Paper 3: Reasoning40 minutes
Multi-step problems, word problems & data — 35 marks
Subject Breakdown
What Each Paper Tests
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GPS (Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling)
Paper 1 (45 min): Questions on grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary — identifying word classes, sentence structures, punctuation rules, and synonyms/antonyms.
Paper 2 (20 min): Spelling test — the teacher reads 20 sentences aloud and children write the missing word. Total: 70 marks.
English
📖
English Reading
One 60-minute paper with a reading booklet containing three texts of increasing difficulty — fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Questions test retrieval, inference, vocabulary in context, summarising, and author's intent. Total: 50 marks.
English
🔢
Mathematics (3 Papers)
Paper 1 — Arithmetic (30 min): Straightforward calculations including long multiplication, long division, fractions, decimals, and percentages.
Papers 2 & 3 — Reasoning (40 min each): Word problems, multi-step questions, geometry, statistics, and algebra. Total: 110 marks.
Mathematics
Understanding Results
SATs Scoring System
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Scaled Scores
Raw marks are converted to a scaled score between 80 and 120
A scaled score of 100 = expected standard (the pass mark)
A scaled score of 110+ = greater depth (working at a higher standard)
Each subject is scored independently — Reading, GPS, and Maths
The conversion table varies each year depending on test difficulty
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Key Thresholds
Below 100: Working towards expected standard
100–109: Meeting the expected standard
110–120: Working at greater depth within expected standard
Results are shared with parents in July along with teacher assessments
Writing is assessed by teachers only — there is no SATs writing test
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How Schools Use SATs
Secondary schools use SATs to set groups and streams in Year 7
Schools are held accountable for the percentage of pupils reaching expected standard
The government floor standard requires 65% of pupils to meet the expected standard combined
SATs do not determine which secondary school a child attends
✍️
Teacher Assessment
Writing is assessed by the class teacher, not through a test
Teachers assess against the interim frameworks published by the STA
Writing judgements: Working towards, Expected standard, or Greater depth
Science is sampled — a random selection of schools are tested each year
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Use official past papers from the STA (Standards and Testing Agency) to familiarise your child with the format and question types. Time each paper to build exam stamina.
2
Focus on Reading Comprehension
The reading paper is often the most challenging. Practise inference questions and encourage daily reading of a variety of text types — fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.
3
Master Arithmetic Fundamentals
The arithmetic paper rewards speed and accuracy. Practise long multiplication, long division, fraction operations, and percentage/decimal conversions daily.
4
Learn GPS Rules Systematically
Create a grammar glossary covering word classes, sentence types, clauses, punctuation rules, and verb tenses. Use flashcards and regular quizzes to reinforce knowledge.
5
Practise Maths Reasoning Skills
Reasoning papers require careful reading and multi-step thinking. Teach your child to underline key information, show working, and check answers systematically.
6
Build a Revision Timetable
From January onwards, create a balanced revision timetable covering all subjects. Keep sessions short (20–30 minutes) and include regular breaks to avoid burnout.
Important Dates
SATs 2026 Key Dates
January 2026 — Start Revision
Begin structured revision using past papers and targeted practice for weaker areas. Schools typically increase SATs preparation from this point.
April 2026 — Final Preparation
Focus on timed past papers under exam conditions. Identify any remaining gaps and address them with targeted revision.
Monday 11th May — GPS Papers
Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling Paper 1 (45 min) and Spelling Paper 2 (20 min).
Tuesday 12th May — English Reading
Reading Paper (60 min) with three texts of increasing difficulty.
Wednesday 13th May — Maths Papers 1 & 2
Arithmetic Paper 1 (30 min) and Reasoning Paper 2 (40 min).
Thursday 14th May — Maths Paper 3
Reasoning Paper 3 (40 min) — the final SATs paper.
July 2026 — Results Day
Scaled scores and teacher assessment results are shared with parents before the end of the summer term.
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The KS2 SATs take place from Monday 11th May to Thursday 14th May 2026. GPS papers are on Monday, Reading on Tuesday, and Maths papers across Wednesday and Thursday. All tests are sat in school during normal hours.
What is a good SATs score?
A scaled score of 100 or above means your child has met the expected standard. A score of 110 or above indicates greater depth — meaning they are working at a higher standard. The maximum possible scaled score is 120.
Are SATs compulsory?
SATs are mandatory for all state-maintained primary schools in England. Academies and free schools are also expected to administer them. Independent and private schools are not required to take SATs, though some choose to. Parents can technically withdraw their child, but this is uncommon.
Is there a SATs writing test?
No. Writing is assessed through teacher assessment only, not through a formal test. Teachers assess pupils' writing against the interim teacher assessment framework throughout the year and report a final judgement.
Do SATs results affect which secondary school my child goes to?
SATs results do not determine secondary school placement — admissions are based on the school's own criteria (distance, siblings, etc.). However, secondary schools use SATs results to set classes and ability groups in Year 7. For grammar school entry, the separate 11 Plus exam is used instead.
How can Eleven Ace help my child prepare for SATs?
Eleven Ace offers 1:1 live online tuition and small 4-student batch classes covering all SATs subjects — Reading, GPS, and Maths. Our expert tutors use past papers, targeted practice, and regular assessments to build your child's confidence and boost their scores. We cover Year 1 to Year 13 across all subjects.
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