Science SATs Papers for KS2

About Science SATs Papers for KS2

Until 2012, children took Science SATs tests as well as those in English and Maths. From 2013, it was decided that children would take their Science SATs in the less formal form of a teacher assessment.

Lord Bew's review of Key Stage 2 testing in 2010 concluded that a selection of schools should take national sampling tests to monitor standards. A biennial pupil-level sampling system was introduced in 2014 and hence in 2020 a sampling test was scheduled. However, due to Coronavirus, the 2020 SATs were cancelled.

When instructed, children would sit the test within a two week window from the first Monday of "SATs week". The test consisted of three separate papers (Biology, Chemistry and Physics). Each would take no longer than 25 minutes to complete. Schools that were selected were required to participate, it was not optional. This requirement to participate (as well as the separate papers split by scientific subject) made the KS2 Science SATs seem very intimidating. There was no need to worry though as it would never reflect directly on a particular child and the randomisation ensured that no individual school or child can be subsequently identified.

For the 2022 SATs, in order to simplify the exam process, the science sampling test was temporarily scrapped. Then, in July 2022, the STA (Standards and Testing Agency) announced that there would not be any further science sampling tests. Instead, teacher assessment data would be used.