SATs: What are they?
- Published
Sats stands for the Standard Assessment Tests that primary school pupils in England take each May.
All pupils in Year 6 in England will do Sats, and at some schools students in Year 2.
The tests check how you are doing in both English and Maths.
You can’t fail these tests, they are just to check how you are doing, and for the government to check teaching standards in England.
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When do Sats start?
All schools in England take Sats at the same time.
Year 6 pupils this year will have the tests from Monday 13 May to Thursday 16 May.
During this time they will be tested on both Maths and English.
Do all children in the UK do Sats?
No Sats are just in England.
Across the other parts of the UK, the tests primary school tests are different, but most children will do some sort of test whilst they are in primary school.
Wales:
In Wales teachers may refer to National Tests, assessments or quizzes.
The official name for these are National Reading and Numeracy Personalised Assessments.
These assessments replaced National Tests. Sats used to be taken in Wales but were ended by 2005.
Pupils do personalised assessments in the summer term from Year 2, all the way to Year 9.
Northern Ireland:
Pupils in Northern Ireland do tests called Levels of Progression.
These tests take place at three stages of your time in school: In Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2 and at the end of Key Stage 3.
Scotland:
In schools in Scotland pupils do national standardised assessments.
These assesments are in reading, writing and numeracy.
The tests are taken when pupils are in primary classes: P1, P4 and P7.
How to stay calm for SATS:
Tests at school can be a bit worrying and that's normal, but there are things that you can do to help yourself feel better.
Here are some top tips on how to prepare and keep calm.
1. Try to take regular breaks during your revision
Taking your mind off things will help give your brain time to process all the information you are learning.
So switch off your phone or grab a drink from the kitchen.
You could go for a walk or even just close your eyes and relax for a few minutes.
2. Look after yourself
It is important to take your mind of exams and school work sometimes.
Take the time to go for a walk, make sure you are eating and drinking well, or even just close your eyes and relax for a few minutes.
Enjoy spending time with your friends and family like normal.
3. Take lots of breaks
Whilst it is good to practice everything you have learnt at school, your brain needs a break sometimes.
It can't learn information without a little break.
Have lots of breaks in your revision.
4. Don't compare yourself to others
Everyone learns things differently and sometimes people find things easier sooner, or later, than others.
Don't worry about what your friends are doing to prepare, or what scores they get.
Focus on you and doing the best that you can.
Remember - what works well for one person might not work well for another.
5. Remember to talk
You could talk to a friend, a teacher or your family.
It is okay to admit if you are feeling stressed, scared or worried.
Speaking to someone can really help you to feel better.
So now you have all the information, you are ready to go and do your very best in your exams.
Good Luck!!!
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