KS2 SATs Preparation Tips
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Table of Contents
Introduction
Key Stage 2 (KS2) SATs take place in May and aim to give teachers an indication of the academic progress your child has made so far.
Pupils sit their second set of SATs at KS2 in Year 6 and are tested on:
- Reading
- Maths
- Spelling, punctuation and grammar
KS2 SATs are marked externally, with children receiving their results before they leave primary school in the summer term of Year 6. As a parent, it can be easy to feel unprepared ahead of the SATs exams. But with some organisation and planning, KS2 SATs revision needn’t be a stressful experience.
To get the most from your child’s SATs preparation at KS2, consider the following advice:
Be Organised
This is arguably the most important part of SATs preparation. Success in the exams comes from starting your child’s revision early and establishing an action plan. It’s important to involve your child in establishing a study routine from the very beginning, so that they feel included and more willing to listen to advice later on.
Devise a Study Plan
At KS2 level, SATs are more formal than previous exams your child will have taken, so it’s a good idea to create a study plan early on. Some children prefer a wall planner, so they can actively cross off completed study sessions, while others work better online with a spreadsheet that’s updated regularly with progress.
A KS2 SAT study plan should clearly state the subjects that need to be studied, when, and for how long. You should encourage your child to make time to study every day, even if it’s just for 20 minutes. It may be a good idea to complete SATs study immediately after school, so your child has some valuable relaxation time before they go to bed.
Read Anything – and Everything!
At KS2 SAT level, children need to be good readers, so encourage them to read more. Pick a book from this reading list or suggest they expand their reading into something more meaningful to them, such as sport, travel or appropriate news stories.
At 11 years old, your child might think they are too old for a bedtime story, but reading together will improve both their reading and listening skills very quickly. The KS2 Reading SATs exam focuses on comprehension, so try to ask them questions during the story.
Make SAT Revision More Fun
Asking a child to commit time regularly to KS2 SATs revision is a big ask, but by making it more fun, there’s more chance of them enjoying the process. Revision games are an excellent way of keeping a child focused on the task at hand.
Take some time to make up a quiz, play a round or two of revision snap or help your child to remember key facts with silly mnemonics or ridiculous rhymes. These types of games work particularly well for children who struggle to sit still for fixed periods of time.
Use Practice Papers
Practice papers for KS2 SATs can be used early on in your child’s preparation, as they give a clear idea of how the exam paper will be laid out and what format it will take.
At Exam Papers Plus, our practice tests cover the subjects your child will be tested on in the KS2 SAT exams: Mathematics, Reading and English grammar, punctuation and spelling. They also come with detailed mark schemes, so you can easily identify in which areas your child may need additional preparation.
Our SATs practice tests cover all the required subjects of the real exams and have been updated to ensure they are current and accurate. Download a pack today:
Key Stage 1 SATs Practice Test 1
Key Stage 1 SATs Practice Test 2
Key Stage 2 SATs Practice Test 1
Key Stage 2 SATs Practice Test 2
Keep a Normal Routine
Ahead of the KS2 SATs, children should continue with their usual routine. Don’t skip after-school clubs or sports practice, as this down-time is a vital component in keeping your child happy and healthy. In fact, in these periods of relaxation, children are able to recharge their brain and often come to their next study session more focused and able to concentrate for longer. Ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep ahead of the exam and give plenty of reassurance that there’s nothing to worry about, it’s just another day at school.
This selection of SAT tips for KS2 should banish many of your worries about the tests themselves. If you and your child are organised, follow a study plan and keep positive throughout the process, you’ll realise that the KS2 SATs aren’t so difficult after all.
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