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When are the Year 6 SATs in 2027, and what are they?

Quick answer

The Year 6 SATs (key stage 2 national curriculum tests) take place from Monday 10 to Thursday 13 May 2027. Children sit tests in grammar, punctuation and spelling, reading and maths; writing and science are assessed by the teacher instead. Results are scaled scores from 80 to 120, where 100 means the expected standard. Schools receive results from 6 July 2027 and share them with parents by the end of the summer term.

By the TapLearn team · Updated 23 October 2026 · Facts checked 23 October 2026 · For England

The 2027 SATs timetable

All schools in England sit the same tests on the same days:

  • Monday 10 May: English grammar, punctuation and spelling (Paper 1: questions; Paper 2: spelling).
  • Tuesday 11 May: English reading.
  • Wednesday 12 May: Maths Paper 1 (arithmetic) and Paper 2 (reasoning).
  • Thursday 13 May: Maths Paper 3 (reasoning).

If your child is ill during test week, the school may be able to apply for them to sit a missed test up to five school days later.

What each test covers

  • Grammar, punctuation and spelling (often called GPS or SPaG): short questions on word classes, sentence structure and punctuation, plus a spelling test of 20 words read aloud by the teacher.
  • Reading: a booklet of texts, usually a mix of fiction, non-fiction and poetry, with questions on finding information, explaining meaning and making inferences.
  • Maths arithmetic: calculations, including written methods, fractions and percentages.
  • Maths reasoning: two papers of problem-solving, where children apply maths to words, diagrams and real-life contexts.

The tests cover the whole key stage 2 curriculum, from Year 3 to Year 6, not only Year 6 work. Past papers are free on GOV.UK if you'd like to see what they look like.

What isn't tested

Writing and science have no test. Your child's teacher judges them from their work across the year, using national frameworks. For writing, the judgement is "working towards the expected standard", "working at the expected standard" or "working at greater depth". Our guide to what those phrases mean explains them in plain English.

How SATs are scored

Each test gives a raw score (the marks your child got), which is converted into a scaled score between 80 and 120. A scaled score of 100 or more means your child has met the expected standard. The conversion changes slightly each year so that results can be compared fairly across years, even though the papers differ. The tables for 2027 are published on 6 July 2027.

For context, in 2026, 75% of children nationally met the expected standard in reading and 75% in maths. A score below 100 tells you which areas need more work in Year 7. It doesn't decide which secondary school your child attends.

When will we get the results?

Schools are due to receive results from Tuesday 6 July 2027. Each school decides how to share them, but you should receive your child's results, along with the teacher assessment judgements, by the end of the summer term, usually in the annual report. The school should also give you a chance to talk about them. Your child's secondary school can see the results too, which helps their new teachers plan.

Are SATs changing?

Not for 2027. After the national Curriculum and Assessment Review, the government confirmed that the key stage 2 tests will stay. The grammar, punctuation and spelling test is being reviewed, and a new national curriculum is planned for first teaching from September 2028. Your child's SATs in May 2027 will follow the current curriculum and the format described above.

If you'd like to know how to support your child in the months before May, read how to help your child prepare for SATs without stress.

Questions parents ask

Are the Year 6 SATs compulsory?

Yes, schools in England must give the key stage 2 tests. Children working below the level of the tests may be assessed in other ways, and the school will tell you if that applies.

What is a good SATs score?

A scaled score of 100 or more means your child has met the expected standard. Scores run from 80 to 120.

Is there a writing test in Year 6 SATs?

No. Writing is judged by your child's teacher from their work across the year. There is a spelling test as part of the grammar, punctuation and spelling paper.

Can my child get extra time in the SATs?

Some children with additional needs can have access arrangements, such as extra time. Schools decide and apply for these, so talk to the teacher or SENCo.

Sources

Related guides

Written by the TapLearn team for parents and carers in England. Schools teach in different orders and ways, so your child's teacher is always the best person to ask about your child. Spotted something out of date? Please email us at [email protected].