Y6 SATs Timetable

The 2022 Y6 SATs will take place during the week of 9^h – 12^th May:

SATs, or Standard Assessment Tests, are the former, but still held to, name for National Curriculum Tests.  These are statutory end of key stage tests in the main core subjects of the National Curriculum; English and Mathematics.

On all test papers they are shown how many marks each question is worth: one, two or three.  This should help them know how much effort to put into answering each one.  For example, a “one mark” answer often only requires one word, while a “three marker” may need two or three sentences.

Papers are sent away for independent marking and returned to the school roughly 7 weeks later.  The staff check the papers for accuracy of marking and tallying the marks, as mistakes have been found in the past.

You will be given your child’s scaled score and whether they have reached the expected standard set by the Department for Education (‘NS’ means that the expected standard was not achieved and ‘AS’ means the expected standard was achieved).

The range of scaled scores available for each KS2 test is:

80 (the lowest scaled score that can be awarded)

120 (the highest scaled score)

The expected standard for each test is a scaled score of 100 or more. If a child is awarded a scaled score of 99 or less they won't have achieved the expected standard in the test.

The Department for Education expects at least 65 per cent of children to reach the expected standard (the figure was initially 85 per cent but has been revised)

All parents / carers will receive a report that will state what score their child achieved in each of the core subjects, in both the results of the tests and the Teacher Assessments.  The results will be available to schools on Tuesday 5^th July. We usually share these results with the children when they are released.

Reading

The reading test will be a single paper with questions based on three passages of text. Your child will have one hour, including reading time, to complete the test.

There will be a selection of question types, including:

Ranking/ordering, e.g. ‘Number the events below to show the order in which they happen in the story’

Labelling, e.g. ‘Label the text to show the title of the story’

Find and copy, e.g. ‘Find and copy one word that suggests what the weather is like in the story’

Short constructed response, e.g. ‘What does the bear eat?’

Open-ended response, e.g. ‘Look at the sentence that begins “Once upon a time..” How does the writer increase the tension throughout this paragraph? Explain fully, referring to the text in your answer.’

Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling

The grammar, punctuation and spelling test will consist of two parts:

A grammar and punctuation paper requiring short answers, lasting 45 minutes, and an aural spelling test of 20 words, lasting around 15 minutes.

The grammar and punctuation test will include two sub-types of questions:

Selected response, e.g. ‘Identify the adjectives in the sentence below’

Constructed response, e.g. ‘Correct/complete/rewrite the sentence below,’ or, ‘The sentence below has an apostrophe missing. Explain why it needs an apostrophe.’

Children will sit three papers in maths:

• Paper 1: arithmetic, 30 minutes
• Papers 2 and 3: reasoning, 40 minutes per paper

Paper 1 will consist of fixed response questions, where children have to give the correct answer to calculations, including long multiplication and division. Papers 2 and 3 will involve a number of question types, including:

• Multiple choice
• True or false
• Constrained questions, e.g. giving the answer to a calculation, drawing a shape or completing a table or chart
• Less constrained questions, where children will have to explain their approach for solving a problem

• The biggest influence on your child’s SATs marks will be their reading ability.  Good readers can read questions quickly, and understand what they need to do.  Continue to encourage your child to read every day, looking at both stories and non-fiction.
• To help your child prepare for SATs, encourage them to use their revision books along with the websites listed below.  Your child has taken part in and will be bringing home practice questions as part of their homework preparation for SATs.
• Useful revision info can be found here: www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
• Information for parents: www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/znsmxyc

SATs can be a worrying time for your child and can lead to nervousness as the tests approach.  Good coping strategies include:

• Reassure them that they just have to try their best on the day.
• Encourage them to spend 30 minutes a day on revision or practice.
• Ensure your child is in school every day leading up to SATS as every bit of practice helps!
• During SATS week, they need to arrive no later than 8:30 am so they have time to settle and prepare with the rest of their class. 
• Remind them that in most parts of the SATs papers, children do not have to write in sentences: often phrases or even single words will be enough.
• Teach them how to relax by breathing deeply and closing their eyes to picture a clam scene like a green field by a stream.
• Keep an early and regular bedtime routine in the days leading up to SATs week – no later than 8:30pm!
• Check your child can tell the time accurately so they will know how long there is to go in the test.

The tests are carried out in familiar surroundings with as much sensitivity as possible; some will work in classrooms or work areas around the school.  The lead invigilator is the Headteacher.

We will provide them with breakfast, so they only have to think about getting themselves washed and dressed and out of the house on time!

Everything will be done to help your child feel at ease and to allow them to give their best.