A spelling test is administered containing 20 words, lasting approximately 15 minutes. A separate test is given on punctuation, vocabulary and grammar. This test lasts for 45 minutes and requires short answer questions, including some multiple choice. Marks for these two tests are added together to give a total for spelling, punctuation and grammar.

How to convert key stage 2 raw scores to scaled scores The tables show each of the possible raw scores on the 2016 key stage 2 tests. To convert each pupil’s raw score to a scaled score, look up the raw score and read across to the appropriate scaled score. A scaled score of 100 or more shows the pupil has met the expected standard in the test. Pupils need to have a raw score of 3 marks to be awarded the minimum scaled score.

Sample Questions

Help!

How I can help my child: SPELLING Try playing games involving spelling words or give them exercises where they need to fill in the missing letter (hang-man). • Give three misspelled words and one correctly spelled word and have your child circle the correct one. • Scrabble! if you have it somewhere hidden away, take it out and make use of those individual letters.

GRAMMAR • Ask your child to highlight nouns/adjectives in one colour, verbs/adverbs in another, etc. Sometimes, children find it easier to memorise when things are colour-coded. • Write down grammar terminologies on note cards and have your child give you one correct example. Challenge your children by having them race against the clock or their previous scores. Pick up on non-standard English, e.g. I done my homework. We was beaten by the other team. Discuss the difference between standard and non-standard English. Try giving them a word and have them find three synonyms or antonyms within 45 seconds using a thesaurus.

PUNCTUATION • Give your child silly sentences and have them correctly punctuate them. • Tackle the common errors first. Children often struggle with colons & semi-colons, apostrophes and dashes. Look through your child’s writing and work with them to identify correct usage of punctuation. • Read through a book together and copy out a few examples of sentences. Read through these with and without punctuation to see what a difference it makes. This will help your child understand the importance of each punctuation mark.

Create the right environment. Have a calm, quiet study space Create the right environment.  Have a calm, quiet study space. Younger siblings need to understand that they mustn’t interrupt study and the TV and music shouldn’t be too loud. But also accept that some children actually study better with background music or noise. Support them with their revision/ homework. Be patient. Try to be understanding and tolerant of their moods and lost tempers. Kit them out. Give practical help, such as buying the correct equipment – pens, pencils, sharpeners…. This takes away the last minute stress of not being prepared, too. Give them a good start. Make sure they have breakfast every morning and give them a positive send off. Let them get enough sleep. They will be tired – a day in Year 6 is hard work! Make time for fun and plan time away from tests.. Suggest a family treat each week or at the end of the tests to give your child something to look forward to. Let them choose what they would like. Stay positive and offer encouragement. Be calm, positive, encouraging, kind and compassionate. Let your child know that you love them, respect their efforts, and will be there to support them regardless of their results.