If your child is currently in Year 2, s/he will be taking Key Stage 1 SATs in May 2020. Here is your super-speedy, two-minute guide to Key Stage 1 SATs 2019, for extra-busy parents.

Read Better Tuition’s two-minute guide to Key Stage 1 SATs.

Year 2 children sit papers in:

• Reading;

• Optional English Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (schools may decide not to use it);

• Maths

(1) Reading

Children will sit two separate papers as part of Key Stage 1 SATs:

• Paper 1: Children will read a selection of texts totalling 400 to 700 words and answer questions spread throughout the paper. Around 30 minutes will be allowed.

• Paper 2: Children will read a booklet comprised of passages totalling 800 to 1100 words. They will answer questions in a separate booklet. Around 30 minutes will be allowed.

• The tests are not strictly timed and each paper is worth 50% of the marks available for reading.

• Text types may include fiction, non-fiction and poetry.

• Question types include multiple choice; sequencing; matching; labelling; vocabulary; short answer and open-ended answer.

(2) Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPAG)

Children will sit two separate papers as part of Key Stage 1 SATs.

• Paper 1: Spelling. Children will be asked to spell 20 words. This paper will take around 15 minutes to administer.

• Paper 2: Grammar, Punctuation and Vocabulary.  Questions will require multiple choice selection and short answers. The paper is divided into two sections and will take around 20 minutes to complete.

• Each paper is worth 20 marks.

• This part of Key Stage 1 SATs is optional, though most schools choose to opt in.

(3) Maths

Children will sit two separate papers as part of Key Stage 1 SATs.

• Paper 1: Arithmetic. Children will be asked to answer questions using the four operations (adding, subtracting, multiplication and division) as well as some basic fractions work. This paper will take around 15 minutes to administer.

• Paper 2: Mathematical Fluency. Children will be asked to solve problems and demonstrate reasoning skills. Question types include multiple choice, completing a table or a chart and explaining methods used to arrive at an answer. This paper will take around 35 minutes to administer.

• Paper 1 is worth 25 marks, whilst Paper 2 is worth 35 marks.

• Children are not allowed to use calculators, number lines or any other tools.

Marking and Scores

The papers will be marked by teachers within your child’s school. Your child will be given a scaled score. A score of 100 means that your child is meeting expectations for his/ her age. A score below this suggests that a child is working below expectations and a score above 100 indicates that a child is working above the expected standard.

The Future for Key Stage 1 SATs

In 2017, the government announced that Key Stage 1 SATs would be made non-statutory from 2023. This means that schools will be able to choose whether to administer the tests or not. You can read more about Key Stage 1 SATs in the government’s official information leaflet for parents.

Supporting your child

Is your child currently preparing for Key Stage 1 SATs? Perhaps they have recently completed them and been identified as not meeting the required standard. Either way, Better Tuition can help. Please call Paul Syrett or Christine McLaughlin on 0161 748 3912 and find out how we can help your child achieve and succeed in school. You can book a FREE assessment or FREE trial lesson at our tuition centre in the heart of Urmston. We are currently celebrating ten years in the business of helping children reach their full potential. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain so why not take that step now and find out today why we’re better?