If your child is in Year 6, you have probably heard about "SATs" and wondered what they actually involve — and how much you should worry about them. The short answer: SATs are useful checkpoints, not exams your child can pass or fail, and a little calm, regular practice at home goes a long way. This guide explains exactly how the Key Stage 2 SATs work in 2026 and how to support your child without the stress.

What are KS2 SATs?

SATs (Standard Assessment Tests) are national curriculum tests taken in Year 6, in the summer term (usually mid-May). They are sat in school, marked externally, and used to check how well children are doing against the national expected standard at the end of primary school. There is nothing for parents to book — the school arranges everything.

Crucially, there is no "pass" or "fail". Results are reported as a scaled score, where 100 is the expected standard (the scale runs roughly 80–120). A score of 100 or above means your child has met the expected standard for their age.

  • Year group Year 6 (ages 10–11)
  • When One week in mid-May
  • Where In school — nothing to book
  • Result A scaled score; 100 = expected standard
  • Subjects tested English Reading, English Grammar/Punctuation/Spelling, and Maths

The papers your child will sit

English Reading — one paper (about an hour). Children read several texts and answer questions that test comprehension, inference and vocabulary.

English Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling (GPS / SPaG) — two parts: a grammar and punctuation paper, and a separate spelling test where the teacher reads out 20 words.

Maths — three papers: Paper 1 (Arithmetic) tests quick, accurate calculation, and Papers 2 and 3 (Reasoning) apply maths to problems and word questions.

Science is assessed by a small sample of schools only, so most children won't sit a science SAT.

How to help at home (without the pressure)

The best preparation is little and often. Fifteen focused minutes a few times a week beats a stressful hour. Mix it up: a few arithmetic questions one day, a reading passage the next, some spellings before bed.

  • Build arithmetic fluency — quick recall of times tables and number facts makes the whole maths paper easier. Our free Times Tables practice and Year 4 Multiplication Check are perfect warm-ups.
  • Practise reasoning — work through KS2 SATs Maths together and talk through why an answer is right.
  • Read every day and chat about the story — then try KS2 SATs English for comprehension and grammar.
  • Keep it positive — praise effort, not just correct answers, and stop before anyone gets tired.

What happens with the results?

Results come out in July. They give secondary schools a snapshot of where your child is starting from, and they help primary schools check their teaching. They do not decide your child's future — secondary school places are based on where you live and your application, not SATs scores.

For the official information on national curriculum assessments, see the Standards & Testing Agency on GOV.UK.

The takeaway

KS2 SATs are a helpful check, not a high-stakes exam — and the calmer you are about them, the calmer your child will be. Short, regular, encouraging practice is all it takes. Every PassNova Kids Zone course is 100% free with no sign-up, so you can start today and stop whenever your child has had enough.