Preparing for SATs

The SATs (Standard Assessment Tests) refer to a series of assessments conducted in primary schools to evaluate children’s academic progress. These tests are typically taken by students at key stages in their education, such as Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Key Stage 2 (KS2).

In KS1, which is usually for students aged 6 to 7, SATs include assessments in reading, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and maths. In KS2, typically for students aged 10 to 11, SATs cover English reading, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and maths. The results of these tests are used to measure a student's knowledge and progress in these subjects.

Preparation in Schools

Significant classroom time is devoted to preparing children for the SATs. This dedicated effort ensures that students are adequately prepared with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the evaluated areas.

SATs are an indicator of the progress your child has made at school so far. They are not a measure of whether your child is passing or failing, they simply show what level your child is currently working to. 

What exam questions are in the SAT?

For parents undergoing SAT testing for the first time, it can raise many questions, anxieties, or concerns. To alleviate anxiety, parents can familiarise themselves and their children with practice test questions.

The specific exam questions in the SAT can vary depending on the key stage and subject being assessed. However, the general overview of the types of questions typically found in the English and maths SATs for Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Key Stage 2 (KS2) are below:

Key Stage 1 (KS1) SATs:

English:

• Reading Comprehension: Students may be asked to read short passages and answer questions to demonstrate their understanding of the text.
• Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling: Questions may focus on basic grammar rules, punctuation usage, and spelling.

Maths:

• Number Sense: Questions related to counting, addition, subtraction, and basic number concepts.
• Measurement: Assessments on understanding measurements, including length, weight, and capacity.
• Geometry: Basic geometry questions, such as recognising shapes and understanding spatial relationships.
• Problem Solving: Questions requiring students to apply mathematical concepts to solve real-life problems.

Key Stage 2 (KS2) SATs:

English:

• Reading: Longer passages with more complex questions to assess comprehension skills.
• Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling: More advanced questions covering a wider range of grammatical concepts, punctuation rules, and spelling patterns.

Maths:

• Arithmetic: Questions testing basic arithmetic skills, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Reasoning: Problem-solving questions that require critical thinking and application of mathematical concepts.
• Geometry and Measurement: More advanced geometry questions, including angles and measurement conversions.
• Data Handling: Interpreting and analysing data presented in tables, graphs, and charts.

The goal should be to put the child’s mind at ease, not to create additional academic pressure. Cramming for an SAT may only increase your child’s anxiety regarding academic performance.

Will my child need to prepare?

While SAT preparation is typically integrated into the school curriculum and teachers cover the necessary content and skills throughout the academic year, additional support and practice at home can benefit your child. Here are some things to do at home to help your child prepare:

• Encourage a regular reading habit. Reading comprehension is a key component of the English SATs, and a strong foundation in reading can benefit your child across various subjects.
• Encourage consistent revision rather than last-minute cramming. Regular review of topics covered in class can help reinforce learning and ensure that the material is retained over time.
• While some degree of preparation is beneficial, it's important not to put pressure on your child. A balanced and positive approach to learning, coupled with encouragement and support, contributes to a healthy attitude toward education. 
• Familiarise your child with basic test-taking strategies, such as managing time effectively, reading instructions carefully, and attempting all questions. This can help alleviate any anxiety they may feel during the actual test.

Remember that SATs are designed to assess a child's understanding of the curriculum, and excessive stress can be counterproductive. If you have specific concerns or questions about your child's preparation, chat with the team at NumberWorks’nWords, who can provide tailored guidance based on your child's individual needs.

It is crucial to bear in mind that SATs should not be perceived as the exclusive measure of your child's academic abilities. While they provide valuable insights, a more comprehensive understanding of your child's capabilities can be achieved by considering their progress across various subjects and learning experiences. 

How to understand SAT Reports

To begin, children will receive a raw score. This is simply the actual number of marks they achieved on their SATs. Then, their raw score is converted into a scaled score and this is used to judge how well a child has done in their SATs.

There is a range of scaled scores available for both the KS1 and KS2 SATs.

• In KS1, 85 is the lowest score available, and 115 is the highest.
• In KS2, 80 is the lowest and 120 is the highest score your child could get.

SAT papers are marked differently depending on whether children are in Key Stage 1 (KS1), or in Key Stage 2 (KS2). The National SATs results record the percentage of pupils nationally who have met ‘the expected standard’ in the subject. This means they have achieved a scaled score of 100 or more. 

School SAT results are much more variable than national results, so it’s not uncommon to see a drop or a rise of 30 or 40 points in percentage terms from one year to the next. If you think about it, just 3 children fewer out of a class of 30 achieving the expected standard from one year to the next will mean 10% fewer have passed their SATs that year. And inevitably there are differences between cohorts in a school.

You may also see wide variation between scores in different subjects at a school. This is why the ‘combined SAT score’ measure was introduced. It aims to ensure that schools are looked at for their success ‘in the round’ not just in their ability to get 100% of their children to reach the expected standard in maths.

How are SATs marked in KS1?

Children sit official SATs in English and maths. They are then marked by the class teacher. However, a small number of papers from the school may be sent to the local education authority to be moderated. This is purely to assess the quality and consistency of the marking, as opposed to the work done by the child.

Parents are unlikely to be given their child’s KS1 SAT results unless you ask for them. However, parents will be told whether or not a child is working at the expected standard as part of the teacher report that is presented at the end of the term.

How are SATs marked in KS2?

These exams are marked differently from the KS1 SATs, as these papers are marked externally. Once the final KS2 SAT results are confirmed, it is up to schools to decide how they give out the results of individual tests to parents. Most schools will normally send out an individual child’s results with the end-of-year report, but this is on the condition that the results have come back to them by the end of the term.

If you are concerned about your child’s SATs results or your child’s current progress in class, get in touch with us. Receiving results that fall below expectations can understandably be a source of worry for both children and parents. By seeking additional support, we can collaboratively address any challenges your child may be facing.

How does a pass or fail work?

There is no strict "pass" or "fail" outcome. Instead, the results are reported using a scale that indicates the level of attainment for each student. The levels are often expressed as:

• Working Towards the Expected Standard: This level suggests that a student has not yet reached the expected level of proficiency for their age group but is making progress.
• Expected Standard: This level indicates that a student has achieved the expected level of proficiency in a particular subject.
• Greater Depth: This level signifies that a student has exceeded the expected standard and demonstrates a deeper understanding of the subject.

These levels are used to communicate a student's performance relative to the expectations for their age group. The primary purpose is to provide a nuanced understanding of a student's abilities and progress rather than to categorise them as pass or fail.

It's important to note that the SAT results are just one measure of a student's academic performance and should be considered within the broader context of their overall educational experience. 

What if my child is underperforming?

Don’t panic. Instead, acknowledge your child's efforts and strengths, and offer them support and encouragement. Let them know that you're proud of them regardless of their score and that you're here to help them improve their skills and reach their goals.

Whilst it is natural to be concerned it is also important to remember that SATs is just one test, and it doesn't define your child's intelligence, capabilities, or potential.

The next step is to understand your child's strengths and weaknesses in the different areas of SATs. You can do this by reviewing their test results, talking to their teachers about their performance, or booking a free assessment with the NumberWorks’nWords team. This assessment can help you identify which areas your child needs to focus on, and which areas they are excelling in.

Why our SATs tutoring programmes are more effective than practice alone

If your child is lacking essential skills or grappling with question structures, simply practising numerous questions may not lead them to the correct answers. What they might require is personalised assistance—someone who can address their questions and clarify concepts at their own pace.

At NumberWorks’nWords, our experienced team has crafted programmes tailored to offer children the necessary support for SATs. Our programmes aim to enhance your child's numeracy and literacy skills by reinforcing their foundational knowledge, and prioritising understanding over mere memorisation. 

If a student encounters challenges with a particular topic, our tutors can refine their programme to ensure thorough comprehension is achieved.