The English SATs papers test Year 6 students on their reading comprehension and SPAG (Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar) skills. While this may seem overwhelming, with the right strategies and practice, your child can tackle these exams with confidence. In this blog, we’ll explore practical tips to help them excel in both areas.
1. Understanding the English SATs Format
Before diving into revision, it’s important to understand what the English SATs involve.
Reading Paper:
- Pupils are given one hour to read three different texts and answer comprehension questions.
- Questions include retrieval, inference, vocabulary, and summary-based tasks.
SPAG Paper:
- There are two sections: a grammar and punctuation test (45 minutes) and a spelling test (20 minutes).
- Topics include verb tenses, punctuation, conjunctions, and sentence structure.
Knowing what to expect will help your child feel more prepared and confident.
2. Top Tips for Reading Comprehension Success
The reading SATs paper requires pupils to read quickly while understanding key information. Here’s how to improve their reading skills:
Effective Reading Strategies:
- Skim and scan – Teach your child to quickly scan the text for key points.
- Read the questions first – This helps them know what to look for before reading the passage.
- Highlight key words – Encourage underlining important words to stay focused.
- Use context clues – If they don’t know a word, looking at the surrounding words can help.
- Answer in full sentences – Avoid one-word answers unless the question asks for it.
3. Boosting SPAG Skills: Grammar & Punctuation Made Easy
The SPAG test can feel tricky, but breaking it down into smaller topics makes it manageable.
Key Grammar Topics to Revise:
- Verb tenses – Past, present, and future tenses must be used correctly.
- Punctuation – Commas, apostrophes, colons, and semi-colons are common questions.
- Word classes – Nouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, and conjunctions.
- Passive vs. active voice – Recognising and using both effectively.
- Direct and indirect speech – Using speech marks and correct punctuation.
Quick Grammar Revision Techniques:
- Flashcards – Write down tricky grammar rules for quick recall.
- Sentence challenge – Give your child a simple sentence and ask them to improve it using better grammar and punctuation.
- SPAG games – Online quizzes and games can make learning fun.
4. Mastering the SATs Spelling Test
The spelling test requires pupils to listen to words in a sentence and spell them correctly. Here’s how to improve spelling skills:
How to Practice Spelling Effectively:
- Use mnemonics – Create fun memory tricks to remember tricky words.
- Break words into syllables – Saying words in smaller parts helps recall.
- Write it down – Encourage your child to write words multiple times.
- Spot patterns – Group similar words together to see common spelling patterns.
5. Practice, Practice, Practice!
SATs success comes with regular practice. Encourage your child to:
- Complete past papers – This builds familiarity with the exam format.
- Time themselves – Help them practice working within exam conditions.
- Review mistakes – Learning from errors improves performance.
- Read regularly – Exposure to different text types builds comprehension skills.
Conclusion
Mastering English SATs requires a mix of strong reading skills, grammar knowledge, and regular practice. By using these strategies, your child will be well-prepared to tackle their SATs with confidence. Encourage them to stay positive, keep practicing, and most importantly, believe in their abilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can my child improve their reading speed?
Encourage regular reading, timed exercises, and skimming techniques to help them read more efficiently.
What is the best way to revise grammar rules?
Use quick-fire quizzes, sentence-building exercises, and interactive grammar games.
How can I help my child with tricky spellings?
Practice little and often, use fun memory tricks, and encourage writing new words in sentences.
Are past papers useful for English SATs revision?
Yes, practicing past papers helps pupils get familiar with question types and improves time management.
What if my child struggles with comprehension questions?
Encourage them to highlight key points, reread passages, and use context clues to understand tricky words.
