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KS2 SATs grammar, punctuation and spelling papers
Every grammar, punctuation and spelling SATs paper that Year 6 children in England have sat since 2016, each with its official mark scheme and the marks needed that year. Free to download, with no sign-up.
On this page
Every year, with its pass mark
The marks needed for the expected standard (a scaled score of 100) and the higher standard (110), read from each year's conversion table. Pick a year for its papers, mark scheme and what was different that year.
| Year | Sat on | Expected marks out of 70 | Higher marks out of 70 | Reached expected pupils in England |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11 May | 34 | 55 | 74% (provisional) |
| 2025 | 12 May | 35 | 54 | 73% |
| 2024 | 13 May | 35 | 53 | 72% |
| 2023 | 9 May | 36 | 55 | 72% |
| 2022 | 9 May | 35 | 55 | 73% |
| 2019 | 13 May | 36 | 55 | 78% |
| 2018 | 14 May | 38 | 56 | 78% |
| 2017 | 9 May | 36 | 56 | 77% |
| 2016 | 10 May | 43 | 61 | 73% |
There were no tests in 2020 or 2021: both were cancelled because of the pandemic.
Which years were harder
The pass mark moves because some papers turn out harder than others. For grammar, punctuation and spelling it has ranged from 34 marks in 2026, when fewer marks were needed and children seem to have found the paper harder, to 43 marks in 2016. The average is 36 out of 70.
Every paper since 2016 tests the same curriculum in the same format, so any year is good practice. Many parents save the most recent, 2026, for last.
What is in the grammar, punctuation and spelling papers
Two papers. Paper 1 is questions; Paper 2 is spelling, read aloud by the teacher. 70 marks in total, sat on the Monday of the test week.
| Paper | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: grammar and punctuation questions | 50 | 45 minutes |
| Paper 2: spelling, read aloud | 20 | About 15 minutes |
The spelling test is read aloud. Each year's page explains how to give it at home, and the Year 5 and 6 spelling list has the 100 words Year 6 are expected to know.
Practise what the papers test
Short sets of questions on one topic at a time, with the working shown after every answer. Free, with no sign-up.
Punctuation
Spelling and words