KS1 Maths SATs

What are SATs?
If you have a child in year 2 of a primary school they will be taking national curriculum tests in May. These tests are often called SATs (Statutory Assessment Tests). The tests have been designed to provide information about how your child is progressing, compared to children of the same age across the whole country.
Whether we agree that such young children should be taking tests or not, the fact is that they will be. These tests are not qualifications and will not affect future options or choices about which school to move onto next. The results are used to ensure that schools are teaching their pupils the knowledge and skills in Maths that are the essential learning blocks for future success.
Although the KS1 SATs are usually taken in May they don't have to be administered according to a nationally-set timetable in a specific week. Schools are free to arrange their own timetable and will aim to administer the tests in the classroom in a relaxed, low-key way.

What maths tests do children take at the end of year 2?

Children will take two tests, usually in May. They are:
an arithmetic paper which has 25 questions and lasts for about 20 minutes
a reasoning paper where children are asked to apply their knowledge to solve simple problems and lasts a little longer.
How are the tests marked?
Unlike the KS2 Papers which are sent away to be externally marked, the KS1 Papers are marked by the teachers in your school. The first mark is a raw score which is then translated into a ‘scaled score’ which will show how well your child has done compared to the accepted standard. Teacher assessments are also used to build up a picture of your child’s learning and achievements. The expected standard is a score of 100. Above 100 means your child has exceeded the expected norm. below 100 shows that they are still working towards the standard and may well need a little extra help in the future. Your child will no longer be given a level.

What can I do to help?

Apart from the everyday encouragement, using numbers with your child and all the practical experiences you can give, there are also several ways you can help without creating a stressful situation. 
Past papers can be worked through; not as a test but as a fun learning experience and we recommend that if you do use these to work with your child, to ask them how they are working out answers and why? 
If particular problems arise e.g. adding three small numbers, then we have a wealth of back up worksheets to help with the types of question on the arithmetic paper and will soon have the same for the reasoning paper.