Key Stage 2 SATs

The National Curriculum tests are designed to assess children's knowledge and understanding of specific elements of the Key Stage 2 programmes of study. They provide a snapshot of a child's attainment at the end of the Key Stage.

KS2 English reading test

The English reading test focuses on the comprehension elements of the national curriculum and includes a mixture of text genres. The test is designed so that the texts increase in their level of difficulty. The test consists of a reading booklet and a separate answer booklet. Pupils will have one hour to read the 3 texts in the reading booklet and complete the questions which are worth 50 marks in total. 

KS2 English grammar, punctuation and spelling test

The grammar, punctuation and spelling test focuses on knowing and applying grammatical terminology with the full range of punctuation tested.
There are 2 papers:

• Paper 1: short answer questions on grammar and punctuation
• Paper 2: spelling paper

Pupils will have 45 minutes to answer the questions which are worth 50 marks in total. Paper 2: spelling consists of a test transcript to be read by the test administrator and an answer booklet for pupils to complete 20 missing words. The test is expected to take approximately 15 minutes, but is not strictly timed. The questions are worth 20 marks in total.

KS2 Mathematics test

The mathematics test comprises 2 components, presented to pupils as 3 test papers:

• Paper 1: arithmetic
• Paper 2: reasoning
• Paper 3: reasoning

Square grids are provided where pupils need to show their method, in some answer spaces of the arithmetic paper and some of the questions on Paper 2.

Paper 1: arithmetic assesses basic mathematical calculations. The questions cover straightforward addition and subtraction and more complex calculations with fractions worth 1 mark each. They also cover long divisions and long multiplications worth 2 marks each. Pupils will have 30 minutes to answer the questions which are worth 40 marks.

Papers 2 and 3 assess mathematical fluency, solving mathematical problems and mathematical reasoning. Pupils will have 40 minutes to complete each test paper worth 35 marks per paper.

2023 Arrangements: 

DfE:

"An additional bank holiday in honour of the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III will take place on Monday 8 May 2023. As this date had previously been announced as the first day of the 2023 key stage 2 (KS2) test week in England, a change to the KS2 test schedule next year will be necessary.

Ministers have considered the situation carefully and have decided that KS2 tests will take place in the same week with tests following the usual order but each taking place one day later than originally planned. As such, the new schedule will be:

• Tuesday 9 May: English grammar, punctuation and spelling (GPS) papers 1 (questions) and 2 (spelling)
• Wednesday 10 May: English reading paper
• Thursday 11 May: mathematics papers 1 (arithmetic) and 2 (reasoning)
• Friday 12 May: mathematics paper 3 (reasoning)

The KS2 timetable variation (TTV) window for each assessment will also move back one day, in accordance with this change."