SATs (Standard Assessment Tests) – they have proved a controversial testing system over recent years and the decision to scrap the SATs for Key Stage 1 students was widely welcomed. A child’s raw score is the total marks achieved on a test, while the child’s scaled score is a standardized version of the raw score. The changes however, will not come into effect until 2023. For Primary teachers looking to teach in the UK it is still necessary to have a good understanding of what is entailed.
What are SATs?
SATs are a series of tests taken in Key Stage 1 (at the age of 7) and Key Stage 2 (Year 6 at the age of 11). They are designed to show the level that a child is working to in comparison to the national average. While scores above 100 are generally considered strong, the definition of a ‘good SATs score’ can vary based on individual student goals and capabilities. The highest scaled score for KS1 is 115 and for KS2 is 120, indicating that scores above 100 meet or exceed the expected standard.
What tests are taken in KS2 SATs?
At Key Stage 1 (KS1) students are tested in Maths and English. For English this includes reading, punctuation, spelling and grammar. For these tests the classroom teacher marks the majority of work with some moderation completed by the local authority.
At Key Stage 2 (KS2) a Maths and English test is once again completed but the tests are not marked by the classroom teacher, these are all sent to an external moderator.
A science test is also completed at some schools at both KS1 and KS2 levels.
Some secondary schools also use Cognitive Ability Tests (CATs) alongside SATs results to determine appropriate learning paths for students.
When do SATs take place & when are results received?
SATs take place every year in May. The Key Stage 1 SATs currently do not take place according to a nationally set timetable however this is due to change in 2018. The Key Stage 2 SATs dates are set nationally and normally take place over a week long period.
SAT results are received and released by each school normally by the end of July.
How are SATs results marked?
Previously SAT results were based upon a level and you received a level from 1-6. For KS1 students national average was a Level 2 and for KS2 students the average was a Level 4. A raw score is the actual number of correct answers a child achieves in a test. These raw scores are later converted into scaled scores to assess whether a child meets the expected standard. These are then divided into a sub level:
A – students are working at the higher end of the level
B – students are working at that level
C – students are working at the lower end of the level
New Scoring System – KS1
The old levelling system was changed in 2016 and now KS1 students are awarded a score which indicates whether they are working to the expected level:
Above 100 – students are working at a higher level than the expected level
100 – students are working at the level expected of them
Below 100 – students require more support
New Scoring System – KS2 Scaled Scores
It is up to each school to decide how to provide results to students but in general two methods are used – a letter code and a scaled scoring system. The main letter codes assigned are:
AS – the standards expected have been met
NS – the standards expected have not been met
Alternatively (or additionally) a scaled score may be provided where 100 or above indicates the standards have been met and less than 100 indicates they have not (same as KS1 scoring).
Understanding KS2 SATs results
KS2 SATs results are a crucial measure of a child’s performance in Key Stage 2, typically taken at the end of Year 6. These results provide a snapshot of a child’s attainment in English reading, mathematics, and grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Understanding KS2 SATs results is essential for parents, teachers, and schools to identify areas of strength and weakness, and to inform future teaching and learning strategies. By analyzing these results, educators can tailor their approach to better support each child’s learning journey, ensuring they are well-prepared for the transition to secondary school.
What do KS2 SATs scores mean?
KS2 SATs scores are reported as scaled scores, which provide a consistent and standardized measure of a child’s performance. A scaled score of 100 or more indicates that a child has met the expected standard, while a score below 100 suggests that a child may need additional support. The scaled scoring system allows for comparisons of pupil performance over time, enabling teachers and schools to track progress and identify areas for improvement. This standardized approach ensures that all students are assessed fairly, regardless of the specific test they took, making it easier to monitor their academic development.
KS2 SATs outcome codes
KS2 SATs outcome codes provide additional information about a child’s performance. The codes include:
- AS: Achieved the expected standard
- NS: Not achieved the expected standard
- A: Absent from the test
- M: Missing from the test
- GDS: Working at greater depth within the expected standard (writing)
- EXS: Working at the expected standard
- WTS: Working towards the expected standard
- HNM: Not met the expected standard (reading and mathematics assessments)
- PKG: Pre-key stage, growing development of the expected standard
- PKF: Pre-key stage, foundations for the expected standard
- BLW: Working below the pre-key stage standards
These codes provide a more nuanced understanding of a child’s performance, enabling teachers and parents to identify areas of strength and weakness. By using these detailed codes, educators can develop targeted interventions to support each student’s unique needs.
Teacher-assessment results at the end of Year 6
In addition to KS2 SATs results, children also receive teacher-assessment results for reading, writing, mathematics, and science. These results provide a more comprehensive picture of a child’s attainment and progress, and are used in conjunction with KS2 SATs results to inform future teaching and learning strategies. The teacher-assessment result codes include:
- EM: Exceeding the expected standard
- GM: Greater depth within the expected standard
- DM: Depth within the expected standard
- PM: At the expected standard
- AM: Below the expected standard
- SM: Significantly below the expected standard
Teacher assessments offer valuable insights into a child’s day-to-day performance and understanding, complementing the more formal SATs results. This holistic approach ensures that all aspects of a child’s learning are considered when planning their educational journey.
What happens with the results and teacher assessment?
The results will be used by secondary schools to help assign students to the correct classes when they arrive. Secondary schools use scaled SATs scores to provide a fair and consistent way to compare test results across different years. Scaled score conversion tables are used to moderate raw scores and assess student performance. This ensures the student receives the right amount of support needed.
If you need more information on SATs then don’t worry – there are a number of useful websites out there! For more information on teaching in the UK see our other blogs in the series.
How are SATs results used by secondary schools?
Secondary schools use KS2 SATs results to inform their teaching and learning strategies, and to identify areas where students may need additional support. Some secondary schools use KS2 SATs results to stream new starters in Year 7, while others may use a combination of KS2 SATs results and Year 7 CATs or internal tests. The use of KS2 SATs results by secondary schools enables them to provide targeted support and challenge to students, and to ensure that students are well-prepared for the next stage of their education. By understanding each student’s strengths and areas for improvement, secondary schools can create a learning environment that fosters growth and achievement for all students.
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