SATs Explained: What They Are and How to Prepare
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
SATs can feel overwhelming — for both children and parents. However, they are not a measure of your child’s intelligence, worth, or future success.
If your child is in Year 2 or Year 6, this guide will help you understand what SATs really measure, how they are scored, and how to support your child with confidence.
What are SATs?
SATs stands for Standard Assessment Tests. They are designed to assess whether children are on track to meet the expected standards in English and Mathematics as set by the government.
Children are assessed in:
Reading
Spelling, grammar and punctuation (SPaG)
Mathematics – arithmetic and reasoning
These tests are set externally and measure how well your child has understood the national curriculum. They are not intelligence tests.
Key Stage 1 (KS1) SATs are no longer statutory national tests. Schools may choose whether to administer them (usually in May of Year 2), and results are used internally to inform teacher assessment.
Key Stage 2 (KS2) SATs are compulsory and are usually taken in May of Year 6.
The format of SATs for both KS1 and KS2 is:
English
Paper 1: Spelling
Paper 2: Grammar and punctuation questions
Paper 3 : Reading and comprehension
Mathematics:
Paper 1: Arithmetic
Paper 2: Reasoning
Paper 3: Reasoning
KS1 results explained (Year 2 SATs scores)
If your child’s school decides to administer the KS1 tests, they are marked internally by teachers and used alongside classroom assessment to inform overall judgement.
Children receive a raw score (total marks achieved), which is then converted into a scaled score (between 85 and 115) to ensure that results are fair even if one year’s paper is slightly harder than the last. A test score of 100 or more means a child is working at the government expected standard, and a score below 100 indicates that a child hasn’t met the expected standard.
Teachers will use your child’s scaled score to inform their assessment. This means the results your child is given are based on their SATs results, classwork and the teacher’s observations.
KS2 results explained (Year 6 SATs scores)
KS2 SATs papers are marked externally, and the results are used to measure the school’s performance.
Like KS1, raw scores (total marks achieved) are converted into scaled scores (between 80 and 120) to ensure fairness year to year.
When you receive your child’s results in July, you’ll see a scaled score, and not the raw score. Here is the quick breakdown:
Score | What it means |
Below 100 | Your child is working towards the expected standard. |
100 | Your child is working at the expected standard. |
101 - 120 | Your child is working at greater depth within the expected standard. |
To meet government expectations, pupils must achieve a scaled score of 100 or more.
SATs results glossary
| - | Achieved expected standard |
| - | Not achieved expected standard |
| - | Absent from test |
| - | Missing from test |
| - | Working at greater depth within the expected standard (writing) |
| - | Working at the expected standard |
| - | Working towards the expected standard |
| - | Not met the expected standard (reading and maths assessments) |
| - | Pre-key stage, foundations for the expected standard. Working at a level that is significantly lower than the expected |
| - | Working below the pre-key stage standards (lowest level of attainment) |
Why do SATs feel stressful?
Often, it’s not the tests themselves that cause stress — it’s the pressure surrounding them.
Children may feel:
Fear of failing
Comparison with classmates
Anxiety about timed papers
Pressure to meet expected standards
Parents may worry about:
Secondary school readiness
Long-term academic impact
Confidence and self-esteem
Understanding what the tests truly measure can reduce unnecessary anxiety.
What actually matters for SATs success?
Strong SATs performance isn’t about memorising past papers – It’s built on secure foundations developed over time.
1. Secure Reading Skills
Children need to:
Understand vocabulary in context
Infer meaning
Explain answers clearly
These are skills built steadily over time — not overnight through last-minute revision.
2. Confidence with SPaG
Children should be able to:
Spell confidently
Explain punctuation rules and use punctuation correctly
Explain grammar rules and use them correctly
When these foundations are strong, timed practice becomes far less intimidating.
3. Fluency in Maths
This includes:
Times tables recall
Confidence with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
Confidence with fractions, decimals & percentages
Multi-step problem solving
Daily practice develops fluency.
How can parents prepare for SATs?
Keep revision consistent, not intense - short regular sessions are far more effective than long cramming blocks.
Focus on specific gaps - if your child struggles with fractions or inference questions, target those specifically.
Introduce gentle timed practice - gradually build confidence without creating pressure.
Protect their confidence - remind your child that effort matters, mistakes are part of learning, and most importantly, SATs do not define them.
Your Pre-SATs Checklist
As May approaches, keep this simple checklist handy to ensure your child feels ready:
Equipment - a clear pencil case with a pencil, a ruler, and an eraser.
Energy - a balanced breakfast such as porridge or eggs for sustained focus.
Mindset - remind your child that the tests are just to show what they have learned, and you are proud of their effort, not just their score.
Looking for help with your child’s SATs journey?
At Ed Grande Tuition, we provide structured weekly support aligned to the National Curriculum — helping children strengthen core reading, SPaG and maths skills long before exam pressure builds, and approach SATs with confidence.
If you’d like personalised guidance and a clear plan tailored to your child’s needs, book a free trial lesson today.
Let’s help your child feel prepared, capable, and confident!
