Dates for your diary: Key 2024 SATs dates for KS1 and KS2.
Author
Mhairi Sim
Published
November 2025
Dates for your diary: Key 2024 SATs dates for KS1 and KS2.
Author
Mhairi Sim
Published
November 2025
Author
Mhairi Sim
Published
November 2025
Key takeaways
Table of contents
Standardised Assessment Tests, or SATs as they’re better known, are tests used throughout the English national curriculum to assess learners’ progress and measure school performance.
There are SATs at the end of each of the Key Stages of the curriculum; KS1 SATs in Year 2 and KS2 SATs in Year 6. However, as of 2024, only the KS2 SATs are compulsory.
Whether you’re a teacher, parent or student, these tests may cause some level of anxiety. But don’t fret! We are here to answer all your questions about SATs 2026. Starting with the most important question—when are SATs?
The KS2 SATs are taken by all Year 6 students (aged 10-11) reaching the end of the KS2 curriculum. The Year 6 SATs 2026 will take place from Monday 11th May until Thursday 14th May 2026.
During the SATs week 2026, learners will undertake a total of six assessment papers in formal exam conditions. These tests will last approximately four hours in total.
The papers will cover mathematics and English spelling, punctuation and grammar. Students’ English writing and science progress will be assessed using teacher judgments.
SATs week 2026 will be a busy week for our Year 6 kiddos! Let’s break down exactly what they’ll be doing and when as they take on six papers across maths and English.
| Date | Subject | Paper | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday 11th May | English grammar, punctuation and spelling |
Paper 1: Questions Paper 2: Spelling |
45 mins 15–20 mins |
| Tuesday 12th May | English reading | English reading | 1 hour |
| Wednesday 13th May | Mathematics |
Paper 1: Arithmetic Paper 2: Reasoning |
30 mins 40 mins |
| Thursday 14th May | Mathematics | Paper 3: Reasoning | 40 mins |
Schools across England will adhere to this same testing timetable, with only slight variations from school to school around the time each paper takes place.
Papers are not to be opened by school staff until one hour before testing commences, so the exact content of each paper will not be known beforehand.
To find out more about what will be covered, check out our complete KS2 SATs guide!
Schools will receive their learners’ SAT scores on the 7th July 2026. These results must then be given to parents, alongside teachers’ assessments of writing and science, by the end of the summer term.
School results are also reported online and are used to give whole-school performance tables. This year’s school-wide results will be available in December 2026.
There’s no doubt that preparing for the KS2 SATs is high on everyone’s priorities as our Year 6 students approach May. Schools may start preparing their learners by revising previously covered topics or completing practice papers.
Exactly what your learner needs to know is set out, year by year, in national curriculum documents. These guides show what pupils should know by the end of each school year.
SAT past papers are available for free and are a fantastic way to get your kiddos familiar with the testing format and the types of questions they’ll need to answer. Take a look at past papers from 2023 onwards to get some practice in!
Another fantastic way to help prepare your learners for their upcoming SATs is with our amazing range of DoodleLearning apps! These apps are a fun way for learners to practice their maths, English and spelling leading up to test day!
Unlock unlimited SATs practice
Put your skills to the test with fun exercises + learning games that are proven to boost ability!
Try DoodleMaths for free!
Select a year group
KS1 SATs are sat by students in Year 2 as they reach the end of the KS1 curriculum. As of this year, these tests are now optional and are no longer a statutory requirement. To this end, it is up to individual schools if they’d like their students to sit these assessments.
Even though they’re optional, that doesn’t mean they’re any less full-on than the KS2 SATs! The KS1 SATs include six papers testing maths and English, and are not strictly timed.
The KS1 SATs do not follow a set timetable, but usually take place in May, with each school deciding exact dates. Here’s a closer look at the papers that Year 2 students will complete if they’re sitting these assessments.
| Subject | Paper |
|---|---|
| English reading |
Paper 1: Combined reading prompt and answer booklet Paper 2: Reading booklet and reading answer booklet |
| Mathematics |
Paper 1: Arithmetic Paper 2: Reasoning |
| English grammar, punctuation and spelling |
Paper 1: Spelling Paper 2: Questions |
The KS1 assessment papers will be marked internally by teachers at each school. As these tests are no longer a statutory requirement, it’s now up to schools if and when they decide to release the results.
If your learner’s school is opting to administer the KS1 SATs, then you might feel it’d be a good idea to have your kiddo brush up on some of their skills. The DoodleLearning apps are the perfect way to incentivise younger learners to do just that!
The app has thousands of fun and interactive games and activities linked to the curriculum across maths, English and spelling!
Regardless of their age, sitting exams at any point in their school career can be super stressful for our little ones! It’s not uncommon for exam stress to set in and for them to lose focus.
If your learner is getting a bit overwhelmed, take a look at our helpful tips on how to avoid SATs exam stress!
Looking for more SATs practice? DoodleLearning is an award-winning maths and English app that’s filled with thousands of questions and games aligned to the national curriculum!
Designed by teachers, it creates each child a unique work programme tailored to their needs, doubling their progression with just 10 minutes of use a day. Try it for free!
Regardless of their age, sitting exams at any point in their school career can be super stressful for our little ones! It’s not uncommon for exam stress to set in and for them to lose focus.
Lesson credits
Mhairi Sim
Mhairi is an experienced teacher, freelance writer and parent. After completing her bachelor's degree in Psychology, she graduated as a teacher from the University of Strathclyde. She then built experience teaching across KS1 and KS2 throughout the UK. In addition to working in mainstream education, Mhairi specialised in the additional support needs sector, including social, emotional, and behavioural support.
Mhairi
Mhairi is an experienced teacher, freelance writer and parent. After completing her bachelor's degree in Psychology, she graduated as a teacher from the University of Strathclyde. She then built experience teaching across KS1 and KS2 throughout the UK. In addition to working in mainstream education, Mhairi specialised in the additional support needs sector, including social, emotional, and behavioural support.
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