SATs Preparation Timeline: When to Start and What to Focus On

When Should SATs Preparation Start?

KS2 SATs take place in May of Year 6. Most schools begin formal SATs revision after Christmas, but the foundations need to be in place well before that. Here's a realistic timeline that avoids both complacency and burnout.

September–December (Year 6, Autumn Term)

This isn't "SATs revision" territory yet — it's about making sure the basics are solid. Your child should be:

• Maths: Confident with times tables (instant recall, not counting on fingers), comfortable with fractions, and able to handle multi-step word problems.
• Reading: Reading regularly — ideally 20+ minutes daily — and able to answer questions about what they've read, including inference ("Why do you think the character did that?").
• Grammar (GPS): Knowing the terminology — subordinate clauses, modal verbs, determiners. This is the area where targeted practice makes the biggest difference because it's largely about knowing definitions and rules.

If there are gaps at this stage, SATs tutoring started in the autumn term has the most time to make a difference.

January–February (Spring Term, Part 1)

Most schools start more focused SATs preparation now. At home, your child should:

• Begin working through SATs practice papers — one per week is plenty at this stage
• Identify their weakest areas from practice paper results
• Focus independent practice on those areas specifically

March–April (Spring Term, Part 2)

Intensity increases. This is when:

• Timed practice becomes important — can your child finish each paper in the time allowed?
• The arithmetic paper should be a strength by now. If your child is losing marks here, focus on calculation speed and accuracy.
• Reading comprehension practice should include longer, more complex texts.

May (Exam Month)

SATs week is typically the second week of May. In the final weeks:

• Don't cram. Review weak topics briefly, but focus on building confidence.
• Ensure your child gets enough sleep, eats well, and feels calm about the exams.
• Remind them (and yourself) that SATs are one measure at one point in time — they don't define your child.

Do SATs Results Matter?

SATs results contribute to secondary school setting in some schools, and they're used as baseline data to measure a school's "value added." But they don't determine which secondary school your child attends (unless the school uses them for banding). They're important, but they're not career-defining.

If your child needs support, a SATs tutor can focus preparation on the specific areas where marks are being lost.