Year 6 SATs Papers
• Key Stage 2 • Year 6 SATs Papers
Free Year 6 SATs papers and mark schemes for every year since the KS2 tests were redesigned in 2016. Download the maths, reading and SPaG (grammar, punctuation and spelling) papers below, then find the official timings, how to convert raw marks to scaled scores and how to get the most out of past papers.
On this page
The Quick Answer
- Download every Year 6 SATs paper and mark scheme from 2016 to 2026 below, sorted by subject.
- Each year has three maths papers, a reading booklet and answer booklet and two SPaG papers.
- There were no KS2 tests in 2020 or 2021 because of the pandemic.
- Use the conversion table for each paper’s year to turn raw marks into scaled scores.
Year 6 Maths SATs Papers
Paper 1 is arithmetic. Papers 2 and 3 are reasoning. For extra practice, try our Year 6 arithmetic questions with answers.
Year 6 Reading SATs Papers
Each reading test has a reading booklet with three texts and a separate answer booklet.
Year 6 SPaG SATs Papers
The grammar, punctuation and spelling (GPS) test, often called SPaG, has a questions paper and a spelling paper. See also our Year 6 SPaG test practice questions.
Please note: there were no KS2 tests in 2020 or 2021. Looking for Year 2 papers? See our KS1 SATs papers.
Test Timings
Use the real timings so pupils get used to the pace of each paper:
| Paper | Time | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| GPS Paper 1: questions | 45 minutes | 50 |
| GPS Paper 2: spelling | About 15 minutes (not strictly timed) | 20 |
| Reading | 1 hour for 3 texts | 50 |
| Maths Paper 1: arithmetic | 30 minutes | 40 |
| Maths Paper 2: reasoning | 40 minutes | 35 |
| Maths Paper 3: reasoning | 40 minutes | 35 |
Converting Raw Marks to Scaled Scores
Raw marks are converted into scaled scores from 80 to 120, where 100 is the expected standard. The marks needed change each year, so always use the conversion table for the year of the paper. For example, a scaled score of 100 in reading needed 28 marks in 2025 but 25 in 2026. See understanding scaled scores at KS2 and what is a good KS2 SATs score?
Getting the Most from Past Papers
- Mix years so pupils meet a range of question styles without repeating the same paper.
- Practise individual papers in lessons before running a full set under test conditions.
- Analyse by question to find gaps for whole-class teaching and for small groups.
- Trial access arrangements in practice so pupils are used to them before May.
Our guide to running mock SATs in Year 6 covers timings, conditions and how to use the results. For a full plan, see our Year 6 SATs revision guide.
Year 6 SATs Practice Papers Online
Marking a full set of past papers by hand takes time. Monster Learning includes 44 SATs-style practice papers across English and maths that pupils complete online. They are marked automatically and have an optional 25% extra-time setting. Teachers see results by pupil as soon as a paper is finished.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find Year 6 SATs past papers?
Every Year 6 SATs paper and mark scheme from 2016 to 2026 can be downloaded free from this page.
Are Year 6 SATs past papers free?
Yes. All the past papers and mark schemes on this page are free to download.
Why are there no 2020 or 2021 SATs papers?
The KS2 tests were cancelled in both years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
When will the 2027 SATs papers be published?
The Standards and Testing Agency plans to publish the 2027 KS2 test materials on Friday 21 May 2027. We will add them to this page.
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Sources: Standards and Testing Agency, national curriculum assessments past test materials and KS2 test administration guidance. Contains material developed by the Standards and Testing Agency for national curriculum assessments and licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
