When are the KS2 SATs?

In May of Year 6, over four days in the same week across England. The arithmetic paper and the first reasoning paper are usually on the same day.

What is a good KS2 maths SATs score?

A scaled score of 100 means meeting the expected standard. Scores of 110 or more are usually described as working at greater depth. The highest scaled score is 120.

How many marks do you need to pass KS2 maths?

There is no pass or fail, but the raw mark needed to reach a scaled score of 100 changes every year. It has usually been a little over half of the 110 marks.

Can you use a calculator in the KS2 SATs?

No. All three maths papers are taken without a calculator.

Is the 11+ harder than the KS2 SATs?

Usually, yes. The 11+ is taken earlier (at the start of Year 6) and often includes harder problem solving, so children preparing for it are generally well prepared for the SATs too.

Year 6 · England · free

KS2 maths SATs practice for Year 6

Practice for the Year 6 maths SATs: arithmetic and reasoning questions in the style of the real papers, with hints and worked steps, a printable paper with answers, and a plan for the months before May.

The format

Part	Time	What's in it
Paper 1: arithmetic	30 minutes	36 calculations, from 3-digit addition to long division and fractions. 40 marks. No calculator.
Paper 2: reasoning	40 minutes	Word problems and multi-step questions across the whole Year 6 curriculum. 35 marks.
Paper 3: reasoning	40 minutes	A second reasoning paper, taken on a different day. 35 marks.

The KS2 SATs are taken in May of Year 6 in England. The three maths papers add up to 110 marks. Calculators are not allowed on any paper.

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

Is 9544 divisible by 5?

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

What the KS2 maths papers test

Place value to 10 million, rounding, negative numbers and Roman numerals.
Written methods: column addition and subtraction, short and long multiplication, short and long division.
Fractions, decimals and percentages: equivalence, the four operations with fractions, and percentages of amounts.
Ratio and proportion, including scaling recipes and sharing in a ratio.
Simple algebra: formulae, missing numbers and sequences.
Measurement: converting units, perimeter, area, volume and time.
Geometry: angles, properties of shapes, coordinates, translations and reflections.
Statistics: reading and interpreting line graphs, pie charts and tables, and finding the mean.

How the scaled score works

Each child's raw mark out of 110 is turned into a scaled score from 80 to 120. A score of 100 or more means meeting the expected standard, and 110 or more is usually described as working at greater depth. The raw mark needed for 100 changes every year with the difficulty of the papers, but it has usually been a little over half the marks. Results come back to schools in July.

The arithmetic paper is where marks are easiest to win

Arithmetic is 40 of the 110 marks, and every question is a straight calculation, so steady practice pays off quickly. Long multiplication and long division are worth 2 marks each, and a correct method can still earn 1 mark even when the final answer slips, so children should always show the columns. Fractions questions want the answer in its simplest form or as a mixed number where it makes sense.

Reasoning: read, plan, then calculate

Reasoning questions mix two or three steps. The best habit is to read the whole question, write down what it asks in a few words, then do one step at a time. Questions that say "show your method" give marks for the working, and questions that say "explain" want a sentence with a number in it, not just a yes or no.

A study plan

1September to DecemberSecure the basics: times tables to 12 × 12, place value, the four written methods. Ten to fifteen minutes a day.
2January to FebruaryFractions, decimals, percentages and ratio. One topic a week, with a short arithmetic set twice a week.
3MarchOne practice paper a week. Mark it, list the topics that went wrong and practice those next.
4April to MayTimed arithmetic papers (30 minutes) and mixed reasoning. Revisit the mistake list, not the topics already secure.

Exam tips

Write the numbers in neat columns: most arithmetic slips are lining up digits.
Estimate first. If 48 × 21 should be about 1,000, an answer of 10,080 is clearly wrong.
In reasoning papers, skip a question that is taking too long and come back to it.
Learn the facts that save time: square numbers to 144, primes to 50, and the fraction, decimal and percentage equivalents of halves, quarters, fifths and tenths.
Use any spare minutes to check answers by the inverse operation.

Practice by topic

Long division Long multiplication Fractions Percentages Ratio Order of operations Year 6 math (US 5th grade)

Questions people ask

When are the KS2 SATs?: In May of Year 6, over four days in the same week across England. The arithmetic paper and the first reasoning paper are usually on the same day.
What is a good KS2 maths SATs score?: A scaled score of 100 means meeting the expected standard. Scores of 110 or more are usually described as working at greater depth. The highest scaled score is 120.
How many marks do you need to pass KS2 maths?: There is no pass or fail, but the raw mark needed to reach a scaled score of 100 changes every year. It has usually been a little over half of the 110 marks.
Can you use a calculator in the KS2 SATs?: No. All three maths papers are taken without a calculator.
Is the 11+ harder than the KS2 SATs?: Usually, yes. The 11+ is taken earlier (at the start of Year 6) and often includes harder problem solving, so children preparing for it are generally well prepared for the SATs too.

Format checked against: GOV.UK: key stage 2 tests, test framework and past papers; GOV.UK: scaled scores at key stage 2. Updated November 2026.

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