• Key Stage 2 SATs • Trends
How have KS2 SATs results changed over time? This guide brings together the official national figures for England since 2019, the last year before the pandemic, to show how reading, writing and maths have recovered and where gaps remain.
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The Quick Answer
- The share of pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined fell from 65% in 2019 to 59% in 2022.
- It has risen by about one percentage point a year since, reaching 63% in 2026.
- Reading is the only subject above its pre-pandemic level.
- Writing has been the lowest of the three core subjects every year since 2022.
Reading, Writing and Maths Combined
| Year | Expected standard | Higher standard |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 65% | 11% |
| 2020 and 2021 | No assessments | No assessments |
| 2022 | 59% | 7% |
| 2023 | 60% | 8% |
| 2024 | 61% | 8% |
| 2025 | 62% | 8% |
| 2026 | 63% | 9% |
There were no national assessments in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic. Figures for 2016 and 2017 are not directly comparable because the writing assessment framework changed in 2018. At the higher standard, the combined figure rose from 5% in 2016 to 11% in 2019.
Reading and Maths Over Time
| Year | Reading | Maths |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 75% | 71% |
| 2023 | 73% | 73% |
| 2024 | 74% | 73% |
| 2025 | 75% | 74% |
| 2026 | 75% | 75% |
Reading has moved between 72% and 75% every year since 2017. It was 73% in 2019, so in 2026 it was the only subject to have returned to and improved on its pre-pandemic level.
Writing
Writing is assessed by teachers rather than tested. In 2026, 73% of pupils met the expected standard, up from 72% in 2025. The share working at greater depth has been 13% every year since 2022, compared with 20% in both 2018 and 2019.
Before the pandemic, reading was the subject that most often stopped pupils meeting the combined standard. Since the pandemic, writing has taken that place. In 2019, 3% of pupils met the standard in reading and maths but not writing. By 2026 this had risen to 5%.
Pupils Working Below the Curriculum
The share of pupils working below the level of the curriculum in at least one subject has risen every year, from 5.1% in 2019 to 8.1% in 2026. The Department for Education notes that this may partly explain why the combined figure is still below its pre-pandemic level.
The Latest Results
For a full breakdown of the 2026 figures, including the higher standard, average scores and differences between groups, read our guide to KS2 SATs results 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have SATs results recovered since the pandemic?
Not fully. The combined measure was 63% in 2026 compared with 65% in 2019, although reading is now above its 2019 level.
Why were there no SATs in 2020 and 2021?
The tests were cancelled in both years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Which subject has the lowest results?
Writing. It has been the lowest of reading, writing and maths every year since 2022.
Can I compare results with 2016?
Not directly for writing or the combined measure, because the writing framework changed in 2018.
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Sources: Department for Education, Key stage 2 attainment releases for 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26 and Key stage 2 attainment: national headlines 2025/26.
