The SATs for primary school children will take place in May 2019, this is for both KS1 and KS2. Although from 2023, KS1 SATs will be made non-statutory and schools will be able to choose whether or not they administer them.
Key Stage 1 SATS
Key stage 1 SATS are sat by pupils in year 2 and they are designed to help teachers determine what level a child is at and areas in which they may need some assistance.
Key stage 1 SATs consist of a reading test, a spelling, grammar and punctuation test, and a maths test. However, over previous years the spelling, grammar and punctuation test has been made optional after answers were leaked in 2016.
The reading test for Year 2 pupils is made up of two separate papers and there will be varied question types, from multiple choice to ordering and matching tasks. Each paper is worth 50% of marks and should take around 30 minutes, although at primary school age children are not strictly timed.
- Paper 1 consists of a selection of texts totalling 400 to 700 words, with questions interspersed
- Paper 2 comprises a reading booklet of a selection of passages totalling 800 to 1100 words. Children will write their answers in a separate booklet
If the school has chosen to administer the grammar, spelling and punctuation test it will include two papers:
- Paper 1: a 20-word spelling test taking approximately 15 minutes and worth 20 marks.
- Paper 2: a grammar, punctuation and vocabulary test, in two sections of around 10 minutes each (with a break between, if necessary), worth 20 marks.
Similarly to the two English SATs, the maths test will also be made up of two papers:
- Paper 1: arithmetic, worth 25 marks and taking around 15 minutes.
- Paper 2: mathematical fluency, problem-solving and reasoning, worth 35 marks and taking 35 minutes, with a break if necessary. There are a variety of question types: multiple choice, matching, true/false, constrained (e.g. completing a chart or table; drawing a shape) and less constrained (e.g. where children have to show or explain their method).
Tools such as calculators or number lines are not permitted to be used.
The KS1 SATs are due to be administered in May 2019, but they do not have to have a set timetable or a set week as the KS2 SATs do. So each school may choose a different time that they feel is suitable, and the tests are usually in a relaxed environment such as the classroom.
It is important to help children feel relaxed in the run up to these tests and to allow them to learn and retain information in a way that is fun and engaging. Teachit Primary offer a range of teaching resources to allow teachers to help their students reach their potential.