From summer 2016, more demanding SATs were introduced to align with the updated national curriculum at the end of Key Stages. Instead of levels, children now receive a scaled score. This is calculated by converting their raw score—the total number of marks achieved—into a standardised figure. This process ensures fairness by accounting for variations in test difficulty each year, allowing results to be compared accurately over time.

For KS1 SATs, a scaled score of 100 indicates that a child is working at the expected standard. Scores below 100 suggest that additional support may be needed, while scores above 100 show that a child is performing beyond expectations for their age group. The scoring range runs from 85 to 115. Parents are informed whether their child has met the national standard in their end-of-KS1 report.

At KS2, most test papers are marked externally. Pupils receive a raw score, a scaled score, and a judgement of whether they have met the national standard. The outcomes are reported using the following terms: ‘WTS’ (working towards the standard), ‘EXS’ (working at the expected standard), and ‘GDS’ (working at greater depth, exceeding the standard).

A scaled score of 100 or more means that a pupil has met the expected standard in KS2 SATs, while a score of 99 or below indicates that they have not reached the required level.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, national curriculum assessments and related data collections were cancelled for the 2019/20 and 2020/21 academic years. Although assessments resumed in 2021/22 for the first time since 2018/19, results were not published nationally.