As Year 6 students gear up for their SATs, the road ahead may seem challenging.

SATs, or Standardized Assessment Tests, are a crucial milestone for UK students, assessing their understanding and application of key concepts in Maths and English. At Bettering Youth, we believe in supporting students not just academically but holistically. In this guide, we’ll explore the processes, steps, and key strategies to help your child achieve top marks across these subjects while maintaining a healthy balance of wellbeing.

When should we start revising for SATs?

Begin the revision process early, ideally a few months before the exams. This allows ample time for comprehensive coverage without causing unnecessary stress.

Our 10-week course is perfect if you have yet to start! We begin on February 19th at 6pm. There are two 45-minute sessions a week. One focusing on English the other on Maths.

What’s Assessed in the Year 6 SATs?

Year 6 SATs cover Maths and English, including grammar, punctuation, and spelling (GPS). The key is understanding the specific content and skills assessed in each subject.

To help prepare children for the 2024 Key Stage 2 SATs, you are able to download the 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016 papers free of charge.

All past papers include an English reading paper, a full set of mathematics papers and the short answer questions in the grammar punctuation and spelling paper.

How to Balance Wellbeing and Preparation:

1. Establish a Routine:

   Create a realistic study schedule that includes breaks for relaxation and physical activity. Consistency is key.

2. Mindful Techniques:

   Incorporate mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing or short meditation sessions to alleviate stress and enhance focus.

3. Regular Exercise:

   Encourage physical activities to keep the mind and body in sync. This could be anything from a quick walk to a fun dance break.

How to Revise Efficiently:

1. Maths Mastery:

   – Focus on key topics: Ensure your child is confident in core areas like arithmetic, geometry, and problem-solving.

   – Practice with past papers: Familiarize your child with the exam format and identify areas for improvement.

2. English Excellence:

   – Grammar and punctuation: Brush up on grammar rules and punctuation conventions.

   – Reading comprehension: Practice understanding and interpreting texts.

   – Spelling strategies: Use mnemonics and word associations to improve spelling skills.

Key Strategies for Success:

1. Targeted Revision Sessions:

   Break down revision into manageable sessions, focusing on specific topics to avoid overwhelm.

Our students are taught how to assess what needs to be reviewed and what needs to be learnt. We use scaled self-assessments, a K-W-L chart for this and/or multiple choice questions.

2. Interactive Learning Tools:

   Explore educational apps and interactive resources to make learning engaging.

We’re big fans of using multi-media approaches in our lessons. You’ll hear us learning raps, signing songs, watching videos, and playing games to help make learning accessible and fun. This is because we know that learning is improved when students are happy! Check out this article.

3. Mock Exams:

   Conduct mock exams to simulate the exam environment and build confidence. Mock exams are an important part of the learning feedback loop.

4. Feedback Loop:

   Provide constructive feedback on areas needing improvement and celebrate successes.

Use K-W-L charts, brain dumps, spaced repetition and encoding to revise, and then put it to the test with a mock exam to see where you still need to improve.

5. Emotional Support:

   Offer emotional support and reassurance to help manage pre-exam nerves. Our students always learn about the brain, how it learns, and how it handles stress. Only through this understanding are students then empowered to put into action important self-regulating skills.

Conclusion for SATs Success with Wellbeing in Mind

Preparing for Year 6 SATs is a journey that involves not only academic preparation but also nurturing your child’s overall wellbeing. By starting early, balancing revision with mindful techniques, and implementing effective strategies, your child can approach the exams with confidence. At Bettering Youth, our experienced tutors are here to provide targeted support in Maths and English to ensure your child achieves their full potential in the Year 6 SATs.