If your child is in Year 2, you may be wondering about the KS1 SATs exams and what you need to know. In this blog, we’ll provide an overview of the exams, changes in 2024, and useful resources to help your child prepare.
Firstly, it’s important to note that the KS1 SATs exams will be going ahead in May 2023. However, from next year they will no longer be statutory. This means that schools may or may not choose to administer them. (This may be a welcome relief for teachers and students alike!) However, many schools may still choose to use them as a way to assess your child’s progress and identify areas where they may need additional support.
The KS1 SATs exams cover three areas: reading, writing, and mathematics. Here’s what you need to know about each of these areas:
Reading
- Your child will be tested on their reading comprehension skills, including their ability to understand and interpret texts
- The exam is made up of two papers: one fiction and one non-fiction
- Each paper takes approximately 30 minutes to complete
Writing
- Your child’s writing will be assessed by their teacher, rather than through an exam
- The assessment covers a range of writing skills, including spelling, punctuation, grammar, and handwriting
- Your child’s teacher will use a range of evidence to assess their writing, such as work completed in class and homework assignments
Mathematics
- Your child will be tested on a range of mathematical skills, including number, measurement, geometry, and statistics
- The exam is made up of two papers: one arithmetic and one reasoning
- The arithmetic paper tests your child’s ability to perform basic calculations, while the reasoning paper assesses their problem-solving skills
- Each paper takes approximately 30 minutes to complete
KS1 SATs – Changes in 2024
The government has announced changes to the KS1 SATs exams, which will come into effect in 2024. Here’s what parents need to know:
- The exams will be non-statutory, as mentioned earlier
- The format of the reading papers will change, with a greater focus on comprehension skills
- The writing assessment will be replaced with a teacher assessment of your child’s writing skills
- The mathematics papers will be unchanged, but there will be a greater emphasis on problem-solving skills
Useful resources for KS1 SATs preparation
Here are some useful resources to help your child prepare for the KS1 SATs exams:
- TheSchoolRun: TheSchoolRun is an online learning platform that offers a range of resources and tools to help your child prepare for the KS1 SATs exams. Their resources cover all areas of the exams, including reading, writing, and mathematics. They also provide a handy guide for KS1 SATs here.
- SATs papers: You can download past KS1 SATs papers from the government’s website here. These papers can help your child to familiarise themselves with the exam format and style of questions.
Remember, the KS1 SATs cannot be passed or failed; think of them as an evaluation of where your child is right now. You don’t have to do any additional preparation with your child, however, if you feel like you need support, Primary Tutor Project is here to provide high-quality tutoring to help children excel in their education. Contact us today to find out more about our services and to book a free consultation with one of our tutors.
