The British School of Benghazi follows the British National Curriculum and, therefore, respects its pattern of testing.
Testing at the end of Key Stage 1 (Year 2) and Key Stage 2 (Year 6) takes place in set weeks during May in the United Kingodm. In BSB the tests will take place in early June and we will use past papers from the UK. In other years, we use the UK optional tests.

A Glossary of Terms.
Key Stage 1 - Infant School
Key stage 2 - Junior School
Key stage 3 & 4 - Secondary School
National curriculum - This is what the UK government says has to put into practice.
Programmes of study - This is what teachers have to teach.
Level - A method of comparing your child's ability against local and national standards of achievement. The spread of marks required to achieve each level is wide. It takes, on average, two years to complete each level. At the end of Key stage 1, an average ability child is expected to have gained level 2 and at the end of Key Stage 2 level 4. A child who achieves level 5 is doing very well. (A child who passes GCSE at grade C in Secondary School has achieved level 7).
Level descriptors - This is what teachers use to decide what level a child is working at.
Teacher assessment - This is the level given to child by teacher based on work throughout the year.
SATs - tests given at the end of each year to show progress.
National Tests - The name given by the UK Government to the statutory tests in the Core and Foundation subjects of the National Curriculum, taken by all children in Local Authority schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland at the end of Key Stages 1 to 3 (ages 7, 11 and 14 in England and Wales). They are sometimes referred to as 'SATs' (Standard Assessment Tasks).
Standard Age Score or Standard Score - This tells you how your child is doing compared with other children born in the same month. The mean (average) score for each age group on an assessment is set at 100 and the standard deviation at 15. For any age group a given numerical value has the same meaning in terms of standing relative to the group. For example, an eight year old and a nine year old, each of whom has a standard age score of 105, have performed equally well in relation to the average for their respective age groups. (See My child compared to other children)
Raw Score - This is simply the total of the marks obtained on that test.
Baseline Assessment - A test designed to establish the attainment level of children when they first enter schools at 5 years and transfer to secondary schools at 11 years. Their performance is regarded as a 'baseline' from which their subsequent performance may be predicted, monitored and any relative improvement or deterioration judged.
Reading Age - This tells you the current developmental level of a child's performance in a particular area of reading. For example, a nine-year-old child with a reading age of nine is performing at the national average level for his or her age. Another child aged nine years, with a reading age of 10, is developmentally 12 months ahead of the average in reading.
 

Visit our Revision Pages or Maths Corner for help with SAts.

Can my child fail a SATs test?
It is important that Children understand they are not going to 'pass' or 'fail' the test - it will just show what they have learned and what they can do.

What are the children tested on?
The children are tested on all of the work they have covered in all year groups so far. Year 6 children are tested on Maths, English and Science. Years 3, 4 and 5 are only tested in Maths and English, and have Science assessments through out the year.

What form will the tests take?
The format of the tests varies from year group to year group, as does the timing, but on average they have:-

The Science tests cover the National Curriculum attainment targets: life processes and living things; materials and their properties and physical processes.

The knowledge and use of correct scientific vocabulary is important.

See sample questions

How will the results be reported?
Years 3, 4 and 5 receive the levels achieved by their child, on their child's annual school report.
Year 6 S.A.T.s tests are sent outside for marking and are handed out as soon as they arrive back in school. The reports are accompanied by an additional sheet that states the test level and a teacher assessment. Both carry equal weighting. The sheet also details how the child fairs in comparison to the national and the school averages.
Teacher assessment is based on descriptions of what a child should achieve at each level. Children are assigned a level that ‘best fits’ their level of achievement.

What do the results of all the tests mean?
The results show whether or not your child has reached the expected UK National Curriculum level for their year group.

80% of pupils will achieve National Curriculum level 4 in the English tests (in 2000, 75% reached this level); and

75% of pupils will achieve National Curriculum level 4 in the maths tests (in 2000, 72% reached this level). . .

What is teacher assessment?
Teachers are required to summarise their assessment at the end of the key stage, giving a level for each attainment target in English, Mathematics and Science. They must give an overall subject level in Mathematics and Science and English.

What guidance is given to teachers on assessment?
The level descriptions in the national curriculum are the basis for judging the children’s levels of attainment. Judgement is based on knowledge of how the child performs; it takes into account strengths and weaknesses of the child’s performance; it is checked against adjacent targets to get the closest match.

What are ‘age standardised’ scores?
These scores tell you how your child is doing compared with other children born in the same month.

How well should my child do in these tests?

What do the levels mean?
It is expected that the majority of 11 year old children will achieve Level 4 by the end of Year 6. However, for some children achieving Level 3 is a real success for that particular individual. A child achieving Level 5 is working at a high level, and only one percent achieve Level 6. A child who passes GCSE at grade C has achieved level seven.

Where can I find some past questions?
There are good websites for Year 6 children, where they can practise past questions. You can also buy books of questions.

How can parents help?
 A child does not fail SATs. Encourage children to be confident about their ability to do well. Playing is important - children should not be stopped from living their lives as normal during test week. Support you child in working through the revision guides. Also check out some of our on-line learning resources to help your child revise.

My child is worried about her Sats?
Dealing with Exam Stress at Primary Level by Ashvin Suri
 

Further Questions.....