KS2 SATs Dates 2026 | Year 6 SATs Timetable, Subjects & Preparation Guide
14 March 2026
KS2 SATs 2026
Everything you need to know about the Key Stage 2 SATs tests in May 2026 — timetable, subjects, scoring, and how to prepare your child for success.
Test Days
Papers
235
Minutes Total
May
Test Month
Home › KS2 SATs › SATs Dates 2026
What Are SATs?
Key Stage 2 SATs Explained
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: Questions 45 minutes Grammar, punctuation & vocabulary — 50 marks English GPS — Paper 2: Spelling 20 minutes 20 spelling questions read aloud by teacher — 20 marks |
| Tuesday 12th May 2026 | English Reading 60 minutes Reading booklet with 3 texts + answer booklet — 50 marks |
| Wednesday 13th May 2026 | Mathematics — Paper 1: Arithmetic 30 minutes Fixed procedure calculations — 40 marks Mathematics — Paper 2: Reasoning 40 minutes Multi-step problems, word problems & data — 35 marks |
| Thursday 14th May 2026 | Mathematics — Paper 3: Reasoning 40 minutes Multi-step problems, word problems & data — 35 marks |
Subject Breakdown
What Each Paper Tests
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
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
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
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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SATs Preparation Tips
Start With Past Papers
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.
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.
Master Arithmetic Fundamentals
The arithmetic paper rewards speed and accuracy. Practise long multiplication, long division, fraction operations, and percentage/decimal conversions daily.
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.
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.
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.
Eleven Ace
Preparing for SATs with Eleven Ace
Our expert tutors help Year 6 pupils build confidence and achieve outstanding SATs results with personalised preparation programmes.
SATs Past Paper Practice
Timed mock tests with detailed feedback
Reading Comprehension
Inference, retrieval & vocabulary skills
Maths Mastery
Arithmetic speed & reasoning strategies
GPS Grammar Bootcamp
Word classes, punctuation & sentence types
Spelling Workshops
Common patterns & tricky word lists
Progress Tracking
Regular assessments & parent reports
Common Questions
SATs FAQ
When are the KS2 SATs in 2026?
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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