KS2 SATs reading and writing explained for parents (England)
In England, children take national tests at the end of Key Stage 2 in Year 6, usually called SATs. This guide covers the English parts: the reading test, the grammar, punctuation and spelling tests, and how writing is assessed. Dates and formats can change, so confirm current details with your school or the government's published guidance.
What children take, and when
The tests take place in the same week in May each year. The English tests are the reading test, a grammar and punctuation test, and a spelling test, alongside the maths tests. Writing is not tested in this way. It is assessed by the teacher, which is covered below.
The reading test
The reading test is a single paper of 60 minutes. It has three texts of different kinds, usually a mix of different kinds of text, with questions on each. In total the paper is worth 50 marks, and the questions are a mix of multiple choice, short written answers and longer written answers worth one to three marks.
The questions test several skills:
- Finding and recording information that is stated in the text.
- Working out what a word or phrase means in context.
- Making inferences, which means reading between the lines, and explaining them with evidence.
- Explaining how the writer's choices affect the reader.
- Summarising a section, or comparing ideas.
Inference and retrieval questions make up a large share of the paper, which is why asking "how do you know?" at home is such useful practice.
Grammar, punctuation and spelling
There is a 45-minute grammar and punctuation paper, covering things like word classes, clauses, tenses and punctuation marks. There is also a separate short spelling test of 20 words, which takes about 15 minutes and is read aloud to the children.
How results are reported
Each child's marks are turned into a scaled score. A scaled score of 100 or more means the child has met the expected standard in that test. The lowest score is 80 and the highest is 120. Scaled scores exist so that results can be compared fairly from year to year, because individual papers vary a little in difficulty. Parents receive their child's results from the school.
How writing is assessed
There is no SATs writing test. Instead, the class teacher judges your child's writing using work collected across Year 6, in different subjects as well as English, against national standards. There are three possible judgements: working towards the expected standard, working at the expected standard, and working at greater depth. Schools' judgements are checked through a process of moderation.
This has an important consequence for parents. Because the judgement comes from a body of work, regular, good-quality writing across the year matters more than any single piece. It is also worth asking the teacher what they are looking for.
Helping with reading at home
- Practise the five question types above on short texts. Ten to fifteen minutes, a few times a week, is plenty.
- Ask "how do you know?" Pointing to the line that proves an answer is the key habit.
- Build stamina with longer texts. A paper with three texts in 60 minutes works out at roughly twenty minutes per text, so practise reading a text and answering questions in about that time, occasionally.
- Teach children to read the question first, then find the answer. Underline key words in the question.
- Encourage wide reading. Children who read widely meet more words and ideas, which helps with every question type.
Helping with grammar, punctuation and spelling
- Learn the terms in short bursts: noun, verb, adjective, adverb, conjunction, clause, and so on. Use examples from your child's own writing.
- For spelling, practise the words the class is given, and spend a few minutes a day on patterns such as common prefixes, suffixes and endings.
- Remember the spelling test is only 20 words. Practise saying words by syllables and writing them from memory.
Helping with writing at home
Encourage a short piece each week in a different form, such as a story, a letter, a diary entry or an explanation. Give one piece of feedback each time and let your child rewrite one paragraph. Our free prompt generator gives you ideas to start from.
Keeping it calm
Children pick up on adult worry. Present the tests as a chance to show what they have learned, keep routines normal, and make sure they are sleeping and eating well in test week. The results are a snapshot used by the school and, later, by their secondary school, and they say nothing about your child's worth.
Common questions
What does a scaled score of 100 mean?
It means the child has met the expected standard in that test. Scores run from 80 to 120.
Is writing tested in the SATs?
No. Writing is assessed by the teacher using work from across Year 6.
How long is the reading test?
60 minutes, with three texts and 50 marks in total.
How can I see sample papers?
Past papers and the test frameworks are published on the government's website, and your school can share practice material.
Get feedback on your child's writing
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