National Tests and Assessments
Year 4 Multiplication Check
In June 2021, the new Year 4 multiplication tables check will become statutory. Your child will need to take a short online test to make sure their times tables knowledge is at the expected level.
The multiplication tables check is an online test for pupils in Year 4. Pupils are asked to answer 25 questions on times tables from two to 12. They are given six seconds per question, with three seconds rest between each question, so the test should last less than five minutes.
Questions about the six, seven, eight, nine, and 12 times tables are likely to come up most often, as these are the hardest for most children to learn. It's a good idea to focus on these tricky times tables with your child.
First and foremost, the check is about finding out which children are struggling with their times tables so that they can get extra support. It is not a judgement on what your child can do, but a way for the school to know how their teaching is going and to adjust their focus if needed.
Year 6 SATS
The National Curriculum assessments, otherwise known as the Standard Assessment Tests (SATs), can seem like a daunting part of your child's education. However, if you know what to expect, they don't need to be scary for you or your child!
There are papers in three subject areas:
- Reading: 1 paper, 50 marks, 60 minutes total.
- Mathematics: 3 papers, 110 marks, 110 minutes total.
- English grammar, punctuation and spelling: 2 papers, 70 marks, 60 minutes total.
This year, the Key Stage 2 SATs will take place during the week starting Monday 11 May 2020. Tests are strictly timed, but children will be given breaks between the papers.
At Key Stage 2, the SATs papers are marked externally by trained markers. The mark your child gets in each test is called the raw score (out of 50 for reading, out of 110 for mathematics, and out of 70 for English grammar, punctuation and spelling). This raw score for each test will be translated into a scaled score, which will show how well your child has done against the expected standard.
Children need to achieve a scaled score of 100 to meet the expected standard. Above 100 means they are exceeding the expected standard; below 100 means they are still working towards it. You will receive your child's raw score and scaled score for each test, as well as confirmation of whether or not they have achieved the expected standard.