Key Stage 1 Tests
Key Stage 1 National Curriculum Assessments
New-style KS1 SATs were introduced in 2016 for all Year 2 children in England. These SATs reflect the changes made to the national curriculum, which was introduced from September 2014.
At the end of Year 2, children take SATs in:
- Reading
- English grammar, punctuation and spelling (optional paper, schools can decide whether to use it)
- Maths
Key Stage 1 Reading
The new reading test for Year 2 pupils is made up of two separate papers:
- Paper 1 consists of a selection of texts, with questions interspersed
- Paper 2 comprises of a reading booklet of a selection of passage. Children will write their answers in a separate booklet
Each paper should take around 30 minutes, but children are not to be strictly timed, as the tests are not intended to assess children’s ability to work at speed.
The texts in the reading papers cover a range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry, and get progressively more difficult towards the end of the test.
Key Stage 1 Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation (EGPS)
Children taking Key Stage 1 SATs may also sit two separate papers in grammar, spelling and punctuation.
The KS1 EGPS test remains optional, so schools can choose whether to administer it to their pupils.
- Paper 1: a 20-word spelling test taking approximately 15 minutes and worth 20 marks.
- Paper 2: a grammar, punctuation and vocabulary test, in two sections of around 10 minutes each (with a break between, if necessary), worth 20 marks. This will involve a mixture of selecting the right answers e.g. through multiple choice, and writing short answers.
Key Stage 1 Maths
The new Key Stage 1 math test is made up of two papers:
- Paper 1: Arithmetic, worth 25 marks and taking around 15 minutes.
- Paper 2: Mathematical fluency, problem-solving and reasoning, worth 35 marks and taking 35 minutes, with a break if necessary. There are a variety of question types: multiple choice, matching, true/false, constrained (e.g. completing a chart or table; drawing a shape) and less constrained (e.g. where children have to show or explain their method).
Children are not allowed to use any tools such as calculators or number lines.
When will the KS1 SATs take place?
The KS1 SATs are due to be administered in May 2022.
Unlike KS2 SATs, KS1 SATs don’t have to be administered according to a nationally-set timetable in a specific week. Schools are free to manage the timetable and will aim to administer the tests in the classroom in a low-stress, low-key way; some children won’t even be aware they’ve taken them!
This is the third year of the revised testing and assessment arrangements for Year 2. These arrangements reflect the more challenging national curriculum which was introduced in 2014. At the end of KS1 (Yr 2), teachers are required to assess each child in the areas of reading, writing, maths and science. National Curriculum assessment tests are used to support teacher’s judgements.
The system of national curriculum levels has been removed and the current measures are as follows:
- Expected Standard – Working at the expected standard for a child at the end of Year 2.
- Greater Depth – Working at greater depth within the expected standard, with a strong understanding of the curriculum.
