Parents with children in Year 2 or Years 6 at primary school will be aware that SATs exams are due to start around now. This is a much bigger deal for children in Year 6, than Year 2.
Year 2 pupils are often not even aware that they are being assessed and teachers try to keep the whole thing as low key as possible. Teachers are responsible for the marking for these ‘tests’, with some external moderation. Year 2 SATs coincide with the end of Key Stage 1, and cover reading, writing and maths and the majority children are expected to achieve level 2 results.
If, however, your children are in Year 6, things become a bit more formal. The tests will take place on a particular day, and their teachers should have familiarised pupils with what is going to happen by setting sample tests in previous weeks, perhaps going over past papers, or simply talking to the class about what to expect. Year 6 SATs take place at the end of Key Stage 2 and are sent off to external markers to be assessed. The results should be returned in July.
With SATs just around the corner, you’d be forgiven for thinking that now there’s little more that can be done to help how well your child will do in their tests. Our simple tips for success, however, can still make a difference to your child’s confidence on the day of the tests.
1. Ensure in the days leading up to the SATs, and during the time they are taken, that your child is getting a good night’s sleep. It’s a simple point, but having a late night the day before the test will definitely affect your child’s ability to think clearly.
2. On the morning before the test, make sure your child eats a healthy breakfast. This will provide the energy required to allow your child to be mentally bright and alert. Avoid sugary cereals, which could lead to an energy slump mid-morning – the last thing you need if your child’s right in the middle of sitting their test! Instead go for foods which have a slow release of energy – such as porridge or peanut butter on wholemeal toast.
3. Also make sure that your child remembers to keep drinking water. Small, frequent sips are best – when their bodies are fully hydrated, children are less likely to feel sluggish or tired.
4. Calm any nerves by reassuring your child that the tests will be not be on anything that they have not already covered at school. They should also remember that their teachers already know how well they are doing at school and the test results will add to and not replace that information.
5. Take some time the night before the test to help your child make sure they have all the equipment they need, and that they are placed in the their school bag ready to take to school the next day. Sharpen pencils, have back up pencils ready and tick off anything else needed on a checklist.
6. Last, but not least, do your child a big favour and arrive at school with plenty of time to spare. If you end up rushing, it’s going to stress your child out before they’ve even entered the classroom! Wish them good luck and remind them that as long they try their best, that’s all that matters.
More to explore..
You can find more top tips for deadling with school tests and exams in The Little Book of Exams Skills, by Kate Brookes, published by Hodder Children’s Books. This mini book contains lots of nifty tips and tricks for dealing with revision and the actual exams themselves. You’ll find it handy for Year 6 children, as well as older siblings who are preparing for secondary school exams.
