1. 2016 Test Timetable

2. ‘Preparing for’ not ‘Teaching to’ Learning to drive –Learn the skills of handling a car –Instructor also prepares learners to pass the test

3. KS2 English reading test The English reading test will have a greater focus on fictional texts. The test consists of a reading booklet and a separate answer booklet; developing your child’s reading stamina is very important. Pupils will have a total of 1 hour to read the 3 texts in the reading booklet and complete the questions at their own pace. The texts will not be linked by a theme, and there will be a mixture of genres of text. The least-demanding text will come first with the following texts increasing in level of difficulty. The questions are worth a total of 50 marks.

4. What is your child expected to know?

5. Types of questions used in reading comprehension in class Looking Question Clue Question (how do you know?) Thinking Question (to deepen our understanding )

6. Short answers Some questions are followed by a short line or box. This shows that you need only write a word or a few words in your answer. Several line answers Some questions are followed by a few lines. This gives you space to write more words or a sentence or two. Longer answers Some questions are followed by a large box. This shows that a longer, more detailed answer is needed to explain your opinion. You can write in full sentences if you want to. Selected answers For some questions you do not need to write anything at all and you should tick, draw lines to, or put a ring around your answer. Read the instructions carefully so that you know how to answer the question.

7. Selected response 10 – 30% Multiple choice Where would you be most likely to see this text? Tick one of the options below. Ranking / ordering Number the events below to show the order in which they happen in the story. Matching Match the text to the purpose. Labelling Label the text to show the title.

8. Short constructed response 40 – 60% Find and copy Find and copy one word that suggests… Short response What does the bear eat?

9. Extended constructed response 20 – 40% Open-ended response Look at the paragraph beginning: Once upon a time… How does the writer increase the tension throughout this paragraph? Explain fully referring to the text in your answer.

10. KS2 English grammar, punctuation and spelling test The new grammar, punctuation and spelling test has a greater focus on knowing and applying grammatical terminology with the full range of punctuation tested. There are two components, worth a total of 70 marks: – a booklet of short-answer questions (50 marks) – a spelling task (20 marks)

11. SPaG tests Paper 1 consists of between 40 and 50 questions assessing grammar, punctuation and vocabulary. Each question is worth one or two marks with a total for the paper of 50 marks. Paper 2, the spelling task, consists of 20 sentences, which are read aloud by the test administrator. Each sentence has a word missing which the child must complete. The task is worth a total of 20 marks. The test may include the example words and words drawn from the key stage 2 word lists, but will not be limited to these.

12. How can we prepare the children? Teach spelling and talk about words. Teach punctuation and discuss why it has been used, and the effect of using it. Teach grammar and use the terminology throughout English lessons Look out for spelling, punctuation and grammar features in reading and discuss them e.g. their purpose, any interesting features, unusual spellings. Handwriting – ensure capital letters are correct size Model / remind children how to check their work.

14. Arithmetic paper The Mental Maths test has been removed and an Arithmetic Test has been introduced to assess basic mathematical calculations. (No contextualised questions.) There are 36 Questions, 40 marks available, 30 minute duration The questions will cover straightforward addition and subtraction and more complex calculations with fractions worth 1 mark each, and long divisions and long multiplications worth 2 marks each. In order for a mark to be given for working out, the formal method must be used. If the answer is correct, the method does not matter.

15. Mathematical Reasoning and Problem Solving papers There are 2 papers. Pupils will have 40 minutes to complete each test. Each paper will have questions worth a total of 35 marks. Selected Response – multiple choice, matching, true / false and yes/ no questions Constructed Response – e.g. solve problems, complete graphs, draw a shape – Communicate their approach to evaluating a statement or a problem

16. How can you help? Focus on fluency in the basics: – ensure children are confident with number bonds, multiplication tables to x12 and associated division facts, time, measures conversions Although there is no mental maths paper, being able to answer questions as fast as possible, giving the answers verbally, or writing them down is still very useful. Practise written calculations regularly. Number, fractions and calculations have seen the biggest increase in expectations – so practise these regularly.

17. Scaled Scores For the KS2 tests a scaled score of 100 will always represent the ‘expected standard’. A pupil’s scaled score will be based on their raw score, and this raw score will be translated into a scaled score using a conversion table. For the 2016 KS2 tests STA will publish test results on the NCA tools website on 5 July 2016. Each pupil registered for the tests will receive: – a raw score – a scaled score – confirmation of whether or not they attained the expected standard

18. Teacher Assessment What do teachers have to assess? Reading, Maths and Science: Whether the children have met the standards or not. Writing: Whether children are not working at the expected standard, whether they are working towards it, have reached the expected standard, or are working at a greater depth within the expected standard.