KS1 SATs papers are the official assessments taken by children in Year 2 (age 6–7) at the end of Key Stage 1 in England. On this page, you can download free KS1 SATs past papers from 2016 to 2025, including all Maths, English Reading, and Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (SPaG) papers, along with their official mark schemes — no registration required.
All papers on this page are produced by the Standards and Testing Agency (STA), the official body responsible for national assessments in England. We update this page every year as new papers are released.
Looking for Year 6 papers? Visit our KS2 SATs Past Papers page.
KS1 SATs Past Papers by Year
Download the full set of KS1 SATs papers for each year below. Each year includes all available Reading, Maths, and SPaG papers plus official mark schemes.
Recent Papers (2016–2025) — Current Curriculum
We recommend using papers from 2016 onwards as these align with the current national curriculum. Earlier papers follow a different specification and may include content that is no longer tested.
| Year | Papers Available | Download |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Reading, Maths, SPaG + Mark Schemes | 2025 KS1 SATs Papers |
| 2024 | Reading, Maths, SPaG + Mark Schemes | 2024 KS1 SATs Papers |
| 2023 | Reading, Maths, SPaG + Mark Schemes | 2023 KS1 SATs Papers |
| 2022 | Reading, Maths, SPaG + Mark Schemes | 2022 KS1 SATs Papers |
| 2019 | Reading, Maths, SPaG + Mark Schemes | 2019 KS1 SATs Papers |
| 2018 | Reading, Maths, SPaG + Mark Schemes | 2018 KS1 SATs Papers |
| 2017 | Reading, Maths, SPaG + Mark Schemes | 2017 KS1 SATs Papers |
| 2016 | Reading, Maths, SPaG + Mark Schemes | 2016 KS1 SATs Papers |
Older Papers (Pre-2016)
These papers were produced under the previous curriculum and are useful for additional practice, though some content may differ from current tests.
| Year | Download |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 2004 KS1 SATs Papers |
| 2003 | 2003 KS1 SATs Papers |
What Are KS1 SATs Papers?
KS1 SATs papers are national assessments administered to Year 2 pupils in England, typically during May. They measure a child’s attainment in English and Maths against the national curriculum expectations for the end of Key Stage 1.
Since 2024, KS1 SATs have been optional — schools are no longer legally required to administer them. However, the majority of primary schools in England continue to use them as part of their internal assessment process, as they provide a reliable and standardised measure of pupil progress.
KS1 SATs cover three subject areas:
- English Reading — two papers assessing comprehension and vocabulary
- Mathematics — two papers covering arithmetic and reasoning
- Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (SPaG) — two papers assessing grammar and spelling
Writing is assessed separately through ongoing teacher observation and is not tested through a formal paper.
KS1 SATs Paper Format — What’s Included
English Reading Papers
The KS1 English Reading assessment is split into two papers:
Paper 1 — Reading Prompt and Answer Booklet This is a combined booklet containing short texts — including stories, poems, and non-fiction — alongside questions on the same pages. Question types include multiple choice, tick-the-box, and short written answers. The focus is on basic comprehension: identifying key information, understanding characters, and following the sequence of events.
Paper 2 — Reading Booklet and Answer Booklet This paper presents a reading booklet containing two to four longer texts of varied types, with a separate answer booklet for responses. Questions require deeper engagement with the text, including inference, vocabulary in context, and explaining ideas using evidence. Some answers require one or two full sentences.
Skills assessed across both Reading papers:
- Identifying and retrieving key information
- Understanding vocabulary in context
- Making inferences from the text
- Sequencing events
- Explaining and justifying answers with reference to the text
Mathematics Papers
The KS1 Maths SATs consist of two papers:
Paper 1 — Arithmetic This paper tests core number skills and mental maths. It lasts approximately 20 minutes and carries up to 25 marks. Questions cover addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, number bonds, place value, and simple fractions. Children are expected to work through questions independently without a calculator or any maths aids.
Paper 2 — Reasoning This paper assesses a child’s ability to apply mathematical knowledge to solve problems. It lasts approximately 35 minutes and carries up to 35 marks. Questions include word problems, diagrams, number lines, shape and measure, money problems, and logic-based tasks.
Skills assessed across both Maths papers:
- Counting and recognising number patterns
- Understanding place value up to 100
- Using all four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
- Working with fractions, time, and money
- Applying mathematical thinking to real-life scenarios
Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (SPaG) Papers
Paper 1 — Grammar and Punctuation Children answer questions about grammar rules, punctuation, and language features covered in the Year 1 and Year 2 curriculum. Questions are multiple choice or short answer format.
Paper 2 — Spelling This paper consists of 20 sentences, each with one word missing. The teacher reads the sentence aloud and dictates the missing word, which the child writes in the space provided. Spelling patterns assessed include phonics-based words, suffixes, prefixes, plurals, homophones, and common high-frequency words.
How Are KS1 SATs Papers Scored?
KS1 SATs are marked by the child’s own class teacher using the official mark scheme published by the STA. Each paper is given a raw score — the total number of marks achieved. This raw score is then converted into a scaled score using official conversion tables.
Scaled scores for KS1 SATs range from 85 to 115:
- A score of 100 means the child has met the Expected Standard for the end of Year 2
- A score above 100 indicates performance above the expected level
- A score below 100 suggests the child may benefit from additional support
Results are reported using one of three descriptors:
- Working Towards the Expected Standard
- Working at the Expected Standard
- Working at Greater Depth Within the Expected Standard
KS1 SATs results are not published in school league tables and carry no high-stakes implications for either the child or the school. They are used solely to inform teacher assessment and plan appropriate next steps.
How to Use KS1 SATs Past Papers for Revision
KS1 SATs papers are one of the most effective ways to help Year 2 children build familiarity and confidence with the assessment format. Here is how to use them effectively:
Start early. Begin using past papers two to three months before the assessments take place, rather than in the weeks immediately beforehand. This allows time for steady, low-pressure practice.
Keep sessions short. Children in Year 2 respond best to focused practice of 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Longer sessions can be counterproductive and may cause anxiety.
Use papers in a calm, supportive setting. Sit with your child and encourage them as they work through questions. The aim is to build confidence, not simulate exam stress.
Review answers together. Use the mark scheme to go through answers after each session. Where a child gets a question wrong, talk through why — this is often more valuable than the practice itself.
Mix subjects. Alternate between Reading, Maths, and SPaG papers to keep sessions varied and engaging.
Focus on 2016 papers onwards. Papers from 2016 reflect the current national curriculum. Older papers can be used for additional practice, but some question types may differ.
Frequently Asked Questions About KS1 SATs Papers
Are KS1 SATs still compulsory in 2025? No. KS1 SATs became optional in 2024, meaning schools are no longer required by law to administer them. Many schools continue to use the assessments voluntarily as a reliable measure of Year 2 attainment. Parents should check with their school directly to confirm whether the tests will take place.
What is included in the KS1 SATs papers? The KS1 SATs cover three subject areas: English Reading (two papers), Mathematics (two papers), and Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (two papers), giving six papers in total. Writing is assessed by the class teacher and is not tested through a formal paper.
Who marks the KS1 SATs papers? KS1 SATs are marked internally by the child’s class teacher using the official STA mark scheme. There is no external examiner involved — unlike KS2 SATs, which are marked by trained external markers.
Where can I download free KS1 SATs papers? You can download all KS1 SATs past papers free of charge on this page, including mark schemes, from 2016 to 2025. No registration is required. We recommend using papers from 2016 onwards as they reflect the current national curriculum.
Can my child use a calculator in the KS1 Maths SATs? No. Calculators and all other numerical aids are not permitted in either of the KS1 Maths papers. A ruler may be used in the Reasoning paper where measurement questions appear.
How long do the KS1 SATs papers take? The papers are not strictly timed. As a guide, the two Reading papers take around 70 minutes in total, the two Maths papers around 55 minutes, and the two SPaG papers around 35 minutes. Children are given rest breaks between papers, and teachers can use professional judgement to allow additional time where needed.
What do KS1 SATs results mean? Results are given as a scaled score between 85 and 115, alongside one of three descriptors: Working Towards, Working at, or Working at Greater Depth within the Expected Standard. A scaled score of 100 means the child has met the expected level for the end of Year 2. Results are not used in school league tables.
Do KS1 SATs results appear in school league tables? No. Since KS1 SATs became optional, results are no longer included in published school performance data or government league tables. They are used solely for internal teacher assessment and to support individual pupil progress planning.
How can I help my Year 2 child prepare for KS1 SATs at home? The most effective preparation is regular, short practice using past papers in a calm and supportive environment. Reading together daily, practising number skills through everyday activities, and working through a few questions at a time are all helpful approaches. Avoid long study sessions and keep the tone positive — confidence matters as much as knowledge at this age.
What is the difference between KS1 and KS2 SATs? KS1 SATs are taken by children in Year 2 (age 6–7) at the end of Key Stage 1, while KS2 SATs are taken by children in Year 6 (age 10–11) at the end of Key Stage 2. KS1 SATs are now optional, while KS2 SATs remain statutory. KS1 papers are marked by the class teacher; KS2 papers are marked externally. KS2 results do feed into school performance data. You can find our full archive of KS2 SATs past papers here.
Related Resources
Page last updated: April 2026. All papers are sourced from the Standards and Testing Agency (STA) and are free to download for personal and educational use.