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SATs 2026: What are they and when are they happening?

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Are you taking tests this week?

For those of you in England, you might be taking some tests this week.

These are SATs, which stands for 'Standard Assessment Tests' and they check how you are doing in both English and Maths.

They are taken by primary school children in England during Key Stage 2, usually when pupils are aged 10 and 11.

Most Year 6 pupils have to take them, with some exceptions.

You can't fail these tests; they are just to check how you are doing before you move into your next Key Stage, and identify where you might need extra help in the future.

They're also for the government to check teaching standards in England.

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When do SATs start?

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SATs take place over four days

Year 6 students will be taking them over four days, from Monday 11 May to Thursday 14 May.

Everyone taking them will do the same exam on the same day:

  • Monday 11 May – English grammar, punctuation and spelling

  • Tuesday 12 May – English reading

  • Wednesday 13 May – Mathematics (arithmetic and reasoning)

  • Thursday 14 May – Mathematics (reasoning)

Do all children in the UK do SATs?

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Some pupils may not have SATs this week, but there are other ways schools around the UK check progress

No, SATs are just in England.

Across the other parts of the UK, primary school tests are different, but most children will do some sort of test while they are in primary school.

Wales

In Wales, exams through years 2-9 are called personalised assessments.

They can be taken once or twice during the school year, and afterwards pupils receive a report on their progress.

SATs used to be taken in Wales but were ended by 2005.

Northern Ireland

Pupils in Northern Ireland currently do tests called Levels of Progression.

These tests take place at three stages of your time in school: In Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2 and at the end of Key Stage 3.

However, it was announced in April 2026 that new assessments will be rolled out to replace these in the next few years.

Scotland

In schools in Scotland, pupils do national standardised assessments.

These assessments are in reading, writing and numeracy.

The tests are taken when pupils are in primary classes P1, P4 and P7.