The English KS2 SATs test is divided into four sections: Reading, Writing (Longer Task and Shorter Task) and Spelling. The whole test should take 2 hours and 15 minutes, but this will usually be completed over two days in school. Your child doesn’t need to finish the practice paper all in one go, but make sure they get through at least two sections at a time.

Before starting the test, make sure your child has a quiet, distraction-free room to sit in, with all the materials (pencils, sharpeners, etc.) they’ll need. Here’s how you can administer each part.

Reading

Children will need:

• Reading Booklet 

• Reading Answer Booklet

Explain to them that they will have 15 minutes to read the Reading Booklet, and they must not look at the questions in the Reading Answer Booklet during this time.

Explain that they then have 45 minutes to answer the questions in the Reading Answer Booklet. During this time, they will need to refer back to the Reading Booklet to help them answer the questions.

Give your child 15 minutes to read the Reading Booklet.

When they have finished, open the Reading Answer Booklet and read out the page entitled ‘Instructions’. 

Tell your child when they answer these questions they will need to refer to the Reading Booklet.

Tell your child to leave out any questions they can’t do and move on to the next questions.

Remember – children must do this test unaided. Apart from the ‘Instructions’ page, you must not read any questions or answers to the children.

Give children 45 minutes to answer questions in the Reading Answer Booklet.

Give them appropriate time reminders during the test.

Writing

Longer Task

Children will need:

• Writing Test Longer Task: Instructions and Planning Booklet

• Writing Longer Task: Answer Booklet

Explain to them that they will have 45 minutes to complete this task, including 10 minutes of planning time.

Read through the prompt on the planning sheet. Do not discuss the children’s ideas with them.

Ask your child to read through the prompt themselves.

Explain that they need to make brief notes (not full sentences!) on their planning sheet.

Remind them after 10 minutes that they can start writing.

Give them a time reminder about 5 minutes before the end.

Children can have additional paper on request.

They can ask for help, but you must not help them with their ideas.

Shorter Task

Administer the Shorter Task before the Spelling Test.

Children will need:

• Shorter Task prompt

• writing sheet

Explain to them they will have 20 minutes to complete this task, including 5 minutes of thinking time.

Read the writing prompt to your child. Do not explore their ideas with them.

Ask your child to read this through again themselves. Explain that they will need to consider their audience and purpose when doing this.

Tell them that they do not need to write huge amounts – this is the Shorter Task where about two or three paragraphs will be enough.

Give them 5 minutes thinking time and then after this time, remind them to start their writing task.

Remember you are not allowed to discuss the prompt or their ideas with them.

Spelling

Children will need:

• Spelling Test (a piece of text with various words missing)

The spelling test is not strictly timed.  It is estimated that it should take around 10 minutes.

Read the Spelling Test Teacher’s Version through to the children, including all the words underlined. Your child needs to follow the words in their booklets while you are reading, but must not write anything at this point.

Read the Teacher’s Version again, pausing after each underlined word to give your child time to write the word in the gap on their booklet.

Remind them to make their writing clear. Remember – you must not help them with the spellings.

Marking

To mark your child’s paper, you’ll need the Teacher’s mark scheme which goes through every question and suggests the appropriate number of marks to give depending on how your child has answered.

For top marks, examiners are looking for:

• Paragraphs which are arranged in a logical sequence

• Writing which is structured correctly, including an introduction and a conclusion

• The use of effective vocabulary

• A range of accurate punctuation, and grammatically correct sentences

• The use of simple and complex sentences of varied lengths

• Accurate spelling

• Regular, consistent handwriting with good flow and letters and words placed appropriately

How to use SATs practice papers for KS2 English