Are KS1 SATs still happening?

They are optional since the 2023 to 2024 school year. Schools can still use the official papers, usually in May of Year 2, and many do. Ask your child's teacher whether their school will.

When do KS1 SATs take place?

Schools that use them usually give them in May, in normal lessons. There is no fixed national day, and the papers are not strictly timed.

What is a good KS1 maths score?

A scaled score of 100 or more means working at the expected standard. Scores run from 85 to 115.

Are the Year 2 tests the same as the Year 1 phonics check?

No. The phonics screening check is a separate reading check in Year 1, and it is still statutory. The multiplication tables check comes later, in Year 4.

Year 2 · England · free

KS1 maths SATs practice for Year 2

Short, friendly practice for the Year 2 maths tests: arithmetic and reasoning questions like the real papers, a printable practice paper with answers, and what to practice first.

The format

Part	Time	What's in it
Paper 1: arithmetic	About 20 minutes (not strictly timed)	Calculations on their own: adding, subtracting, simple multiplying, dividing and fractions of amounts. 25 marks.
Paper 2: reasoning	About 35 minutes (not strictly timed)	Word problems, shapes, time, money, measures and charts. The first few questions are read aloud by the teacher. 35 marks.

Since the 2023 to 2024 school year the Key Stage 1 tests are optional in England. Many schools still use them in May of Year 2, so practice is still useful, but your child's school decides whether and when.

Printable practice paper

Fresh questions from every part of the exam each time you open it, with an answer key and worked steps. Print it, save it as a PDF, or do it on screen.

🖨️ Practice paper (24 questions)Quick 10 ✏️ On screen

Practice now

Question 1 of 100 correct

Diego had some books. After getting 7 more, Diego has 19. How many books did Diego have at first?

Print a worksheet with answers Share to Google ClassroomFree, no sign-up. Nothing you type is saved.

What the Year 2 maths tests cover

Numbers to 100: reading, writing, ordering and comparing them, and place value (tens and ones).
Adding and subtracting two-digit numbers, mentally and on paper, and knowing number bonds to 20 and to 100.
The 2, 5 and 10 times tables, with sharing and grouping for division.
Fractions of shapes and amounts: halves, quarters and thirds, such as ½ of 12 or ¾ of 8.
Money in pounds and pence, telling the time to five minutes, and measuring length, mass, capacity and temperature.
2-D and 3-D shapes: sides, vertices, faces and lines of symmetry.
Tally charts, pictograms, block diagrams and simple tables.

How the tests are marked

The two papers add up to 60 marks. Teachers mark them, and the raw score is turned into a scaled score from 85 to 115, where 100 means working at the expected standard. Because the tests are now optional, schools no longer have to report the result, and many use it alongside their own teacher assessment rather than on its own.

Keep it light at this age

At six or seven, little and often works far better than long sessions. Ten minutes of questions, a game with the 2, 5 and 10 times tables, or counting coins at the shop does more than a practice paper every night. Use the full paper once or twice near the test so the format feels familiar, and keep the rest playful.

A study plan

1Two to three months beforeTen minutes a few times a week on number bonds, place value and the 2, 5 and 10 times tables.
2Six weeks beforeAdd word problems: read the question together, draw it, then calculate. Practice time and money with real clocks and coins.
3Three weeks beforePrint the practice paper. Do the arithmetic half one day and the reasoning half another. Go through mistakes together.
4Test weekLight practice only, a favorite game and an early night. Tell them it's fine not to know everything.

Exam tips

Read every word problem twice and underline the question, then draw a quick picture.
Show the working in the box: some reasoning questions give a mark for the method.
Check answers with the inverse: if 43 − 18 = 25, then 25 + 18 should make 43.
For time questions, say the time out loud with the minute hand first: "twenty past", then the hour.

Practice by topic

Place value Addition with regrouping Subtraction with regrouping Times tables Telling time Counting money Year 2 math (US 1st grade)

Questions people ask

Are KS1 SATs still happening?: They are optional since the 2023 to 2024 school year. Schools can still use the official papers, usually in May of Year 2, and many do. Ask your child's teacher whether their school will.
When do KS1 SATs take place?: Schools that use them usually give them in May, in normal lessons. There is no fixed national day, and the papers are not strictly timed.
What is a good KS1 maths score?: A scaled score of 100 or more means working at the expected standard. Scores run from 85 to 115.
Are the Year 2 tests the same as the Year 1 phonics check?: No. The phonics screening check is a separate reading check in Year 1, and it is still statutory. The multiplication tables check comes later, in Year 4.

Format checked against: GOV.UK: optional key stage 1 tests; GOV.UK: national curriculum in England, mathematics. Updated November 2026.

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