What is a SAT Exam in the UK?

When your child is in primary or prep school, they’ll be getting ready for their SAT Exams, which help teachers, parents and future schools know where your child is heading with their progress. With advice from these education consultants, we explore what’s involved in SAT Exams, what they’re for and how you can help support your child.

What does SAT stand for?
SAT stands for Standardised Assessment Tests. They are used to measure the quality of education being directed in schools, and helps students know where they are in their studies.

Who takes the SAT exams?
These exams are taken in year 2 and near the end of year 6 in primary school. Your child will be following the curriculum across these years to ensure they’re on the right track, and there won’t be major implications should they struggle at this stage. It’s more about using these exams as a marker towards helping your child with their studies and into their progression through to secondary school.

What exams will they take?
In both year 2 and in year 6 your child will be tested on their English reading, grammar, punctuation, spelling and their Maths skills. In some cases your child may also be tested on their Science knowledge.

Of course, when they reach year 6, they’ll have developed a lot more knowledge in that 4 year gap. This will give your child plenty of time to adjust and discover more about their abilities.

Are they compulsory exams?
They are compulsory, but it doesn’t mean that your child will suffer should they “fail” these exams. They are only used as a determiner of their skills at that moment in time, and will help secondary schools with setting your child in the best classes that suit their abilities. This can all change when your child reaches high school and has a better grasp of their skills.

*Collaborative Post