2023 SATs Papers

2023 English Reading KS2 SATs Papers

The 2023 KS2 English Reading SATs paper contained three separate reading texts: 'A Noise in the Night', 'Bats Under the Bridge', and 'A Howl at Dusk'.

Download the question paper, answer booklet and mark scheme resources below:

2023 Maths KS2 SATs Papers

The 2023 KS2 Maths tests included Paper 1 (Arithmetic), Paper 2 (Reasoning) and Paper 3 (Reasoning). All three test papers were non-calculator tests and their marks were added together for a total Maths mark.

Download the question papers, answer booklets and mark schemes below:

As well as the video walkthroughs below, ensure you download and use our exclusive worked solutions to the 2023 KS2 Maths SATs papers once they become available.

Video Walkthroughs

Paper 1 (Arithmetic)

Paper 2 (Reasoning)

Paper 3 (Reasoning)

2023 Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (GaPS) KS2 SATs Papers

The 2023 KS2 GaPS tests (also known as GaPS or Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling) included Paper 1 (Questions) and Paper 2 (Spelling). Marks for both papers were added together to form the total GaPS mark.

Download the question papers, answer booklets and mark schemes below:

About the 2023 KS2 SATs

Children in Year 6 (those aged 10-11 at the time) took their KS2 SATs tests in May 2023.

The 2023 KS2 SATs were authored, produced and managed by the STA (Standards and Testing Agency) under the authorisation of the DfE (Department for Education).

KS2 SATs were taken in Maths, Reading and GaPS under formal exam conditions. These papers were marked externally whilst separate teacher assessments in Writing and Science were marked by their teachers.

Pupils with additional educational needs were offered support and/or extra exam time where available. Modified materials using braille and large print were available to eligible pupils and their teachers.

For the 2023 Key Stage 2 tests, it was decided that the Reading paper would again take place on the Tuesday following a successful trial in 2018.

2023 was the sixth year of 'new-style' KS2 SATs tests under the new national curriculum.

To help prepare children for the 2023 KS2 SATs, children were able to download test papers from previous years free of charge. Whilst not working to the same curriculum, KS2 SATs Papers from 2015 (and before) were still useful to aid preparation.

Once marked, children's scores were converted to scaled scores:

• If a child's scaled score was below 100, they had not reached the expected standard.

• If a child's scaled score was between 100 and 109, they had reached the expected standard.

• If a child's score was 110 or over, they had exceeded the expected standard and were judged as working at greater depth.

2023 KS2 SATs Scaled Scores Expected Standard and Greater Depth

Here you will find the Key Stage 2 raw/scaled conversion tables. You may find it easier and faster to use our free scaled score converter.

2023 English Reading KS2 SATs

The raw score required to achieve the "expected standard" (a scaled score of 100) was 24. Thus, the "pass mark" for pupils taking the 2023 KS2 English Reading SATs was 24/50 or 48%. In order to achieve "greater depth" (scaled score of 110) a child would have to score at least 38/50 or 76%.

See below for the full raw marks to scaled scores conversion table:

2023 Maths KS2 SATs

The raw score required to achieve the "expected standard" (a scaled score of 100) was 56. Thus, the "pass mark" for children taking the 2023 KS2 Maths SATs was 56/110 or 50.9%. In order to achieve "greater depth" (scaled score of 110) a child would have to score at least 94/110 or 85.5%.

See below for the full raw marks to scaled scores conversion table:

2023 Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling KS2 SATs

The mark required to achieve the "expected standard" (a scaled score of 100) was 36. Thus, the "pass mark" for children taking the 2023 KS2 Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling SATs was 36/70 or 51.4%. In order to achieve "greater depth" (scaled score of 110) a child would have to score at least 55/70 or 78.6%.

See below for the full raw marks to scaled scores conversion table:

Each school's KS2 SATs results were made available to their headteachers in July 2023 via the NCA tools website. Individual KS2 SATs results were fed back to parents some time after this date, normally within a child's end of year report.

Every school's KS2 SATs performance was made publicly available in December 2023 as part of the 2023 primary school league tables.

2023 KS2 SATs Exam Timetable

Please note that the 2023 Key Stage 2 SATs were originally due to start on Monday 8th May 2023 but were shuffled back by one day to Tuesday 9th May due to the extra bank holiday for the King's coronation.

Unfortunately this does mean that pupils took their national assessment tests immediately after a bank holiday, possibly impacting attainment.