National Curriculum assessment

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National Curriculum assessments (also known as SATs) are a series of educational assessments carried out on children attending schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that follow the National Curriculum.

The assessments are carried out at three ages: seven (school year 2, at the end of Key Stage 1), eleven (Year 6, the end of Key Stage 2) and fourteen (Year 9, the end of Key Stage 3). Some aspects of subjects are teacher-assessed, whilst others involve sitting an examination paper. The results are considered when school and LEA performance league tables are being compiled, but they do not lead to any formal qualification for the candidates taking them. Many schools find them a valuable introduction to public examinations, before the relative importance of GCSEs.

The exam-based assessments, National Curriculum Tests, are referred to as SATs (Standard Attainment Tests).^[1] This was their title when they were being developed in the 1990s and there is no connection with the American university-entrance examination of the same name.

[edit] Areas tested in national curriculum assessments

At age seven:

In examination papers:

Reading
Writing (including handwriting and spelling)
Mathematics

These tests are carried out by class teachers and not under strict exam conditions. The outcomes are used to support teacher assessment. By teacher assessment:

Speaking and listening, reading and writing
Mathematics
Science

At age eleven:

In examination papers:

Reading
Writing, handwriting and spelling
Mathematics (including mental arithmetic)
Science

By teacher assessment:

English
Mathematics
Science

At age fourteen: (although some pupils may take them a year early at the age of 13)

In examination papers:

English (including reading, writing and studying a Shakespeare play)
Mathematics (including mental mathematics)
Science

From 2007, ICT is also being assessed via an online assessment procedure currently being piloted in many UK schools. This has now been abandoned and the questions developed being used for in school tests and reference purposes.

By teacher assessment: