KS2 Exam Dates 2027-2029 | SATs & Times Tables Check

Date/Period	Event
Sept - Oct ‘26	Transition & Baseline Assessment
Oct ‘26 - May ‘27	Year 3 Continuous Assessment
May - Jun ‘27	Year 3 End-of-Year Assessments
Sept ‘27 - May ‘28	Year 4: Multiplication Tables Check Prep + Continuous Assessment
May - Jun ‘28	Year 4 End-of-Year Assessments
Sept ‘28 - Jun ‘29	Year 5: Secondary Readiness + Mock SATs Prep

KS2 Assessment Dates by Subject: 2027–2029

Explore assessment methods, subject-specific dates, and key milestones for all 13 core KS2 subjects in Years 3-5.

Subject	Exam Dates 2027-2029
English (Reading & Writing)	May 8-10, 2027 (Y3) \| May 7-9, 2028 (Y4) \| May 6-8, 2029 (Y5)
Mathematics	May 11-13, 2027 (Y3) \| May 10-12, 2028 (Y4) + May 14, 2028 (Mult Tables) \| May 9-11, 2029 (Y5)
Science (Bio/Chem/Phys)	May 14-15, 2027 (Y3) \| May 13-14, 2028 (Y4) \| May 12-13, 2029 (Y5)
History	May 16-17, 2027 (Y3) \| May 15-16, 2028 (Y4) \| May 14-15, 2029 (Y5)
Geography	May 18-19, 2027 (Y3) \| May 17-18, 2028 (Y4) \| May 16-17, 2029 (Y5)
PE (Physical Education)	Ongoing Oct-May. Formal: May 20, 2027 (Y3) \| May 19, 2028 (Y4) \| May 18, 2029 (Y5)
Art & Design	Portfolio ongoing. Formal: May 21-22, 2027 (Y3) \| May 20-21, 2028 (Y4) \| May 19-20, 2029 (Y5)
Music	Ongoing Oct-May. Formal: May 23, 2027 (Y3) \| May 22, 2028 (Y4) \| May 21, 2029 (Y5)
Computing	Ongoing Oct-May. Formal: May 24-25, 2027 (Y3) \| May 23-24, 2028 (Y4) \| May 22-23, 2029 (Y5)
Design & Technology	Project ongoing. Formal: May 26-27, 2027 (Y3) \| May 25-26, 2028 (Y4) \| May 24-25, 2029 (Y5)
Modern Languages (French/Spanish)	Ongoing Oct-May. Formal: May 28-29, 2027 (Y3) \| May 27-28, 2028 (Y4) \| May 26-27, 2029 (Y5)
Drama / Theatre	Ongoing Oct-May. Formal: May 30, 2027 (Y3) \| May 29, 2028 (Y4) \| May 28, 2029 (Y5)
Citizenship / PSHE	No formal exam. Ongoing observations: Oct-May. Report cards: Jun 2027, Jun 2028, Jun 2029

When Should Tutoring Support Start?

📅 Tutoring Support Timeline: Sep 2026 → Jun 2029

Sept - Oct ‘26

Transition Support. Use baseline assessments to identify starting levels, build confidence with school routines, and address any literacy or numeracy gaps.

Nov ‘26 - May ‘27

Build Strong Foundations. Close primary learning gaps in English, reading, writing, phonics, and basic numeracy before the May 2027 assessments. Use the results to shape the Year 4 tutoring plan.

Sept ‘27 - May ‘28

Build Multiplication Fluency. Prepare for the 14 May 2028 Multiplication Tables Check with focused numeracy tutoring from October to April. Use the May assessments to establish a Year 5 baseline.

Sept ‘28 - Feb ‘29

Secondary Readiness & Mock SATs Prep. Mock SATs-style assessments (Jan-Feb 2029) prepare for Year 6. Intensive English & Maths tutoring. Focus on exam technique, timed tests, confidence building for secondary transition.

Mar-Jun ‘29

Plan the Year 6 Transition. Review Year 5 assessment results, address any remaining gaps, and prepare for secondary school in September 2029. Consider summer tutoring if needed.

Support Your Child Through KS2: Years 3-5 (2027–2029)

Step 1: Assess KS2 Transition Early

Action: Identify literacy and numeracy gaps in phonics, number sense, and reading fluency before the Year 3 starts. Begin tutoring in September–October 2026.

Step 2: Build KS2 Literacy & Numeracy Skills.

Action: Strengthen phonics, reading fluency, and core maths skills from October 2026 to May 2027, using assessment results to plan Year 4 support.

Step 3: Prepare for the Multiplication Tables Check.

Action: Build speed and accuracy with times tables from September 2027 ahead of the 14 May 2028 Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check.

Step 4: Prepare for Mock SATs & Secondary School.

Action: Develop English, Maths, problem-solving, and exam technique through timed practice for Year 5 mock SATs in January–February 2029.

Step 5: Close Learning Gaps Before Year 6.

Action: Review the May 2029 assessment results, address remaining literacy and numeracy gaps, and use summer tutoring to prepare for Year 6.

Step 6: Build Secondary School Readiness.

Action: Use Year 5 results to guide continued support and develop the independence, confidence, and resilience needed for secondary school in September 2029.

Key Takeaways

Essential IGCSE exam planning advice for students and parents.

✓ Year 3 Assessments: Start Preparing in September ‘26

First formal end-of-year assessments are just 8 months away (May 8-12, 2027). Early
tutoring (Sep-Oct 2026) prevents literacy & numeracy gaps that compound over 6+ years to
GCSE.

✓ Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check: 14 May ‘28

All Year 4 students take the check (May 14, 2028). It's not pass/fail but identifies multiplication fluency gaps. Tutoring Sep 2027-Apr 2028 builds confidence & speed with times tables 1-12x12.

✓ Year 5 mock SATs assessments (Jan-Feb 2029) predict Year 6 readiness

Mock assessments indicate Year 6 readiness and help shape tutoring, secondary-school preparation, and future learning goals.

✓ Annual Assessments: Plan the Next Year’s Support

May 8-12, 2027 (Y3), May 7-9, 2028 (Y4), May 6-8, 2029 (Y5) assessments form baseline for
next year. Teachers use results to plan differentiated teaching. Gaps here affect secondary
readiness & later GCSE success.

✓ Strong KS2 foundation (Years 3-5) = Confident GCSE student (6+ years later)

Building literacy and numeracy skills from September 2026 onwards helps prevent gaps from widening and supports a more confident transition to secondary school and GCSE study.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This page uses 2027–2029 KS2 assessment dates as a reference. Dates may vary by school, region, and assessment provider, so always confirm your child’s exact assessment timetable with their school before planning revision or tutoring. For the most accurate information, check the latest guidance from your child’s school and the relevant education authorities.

Frequently asked questions

When do Year 3 assessments happen?

Year 3 end-of-year assessments run May 8-Jun 12, 2027, establishing a baseline for Year 4 teaching. Continuous assessment through the year matters just as much as the formal window.

What is the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check?

It's a national standardized assessment in Year 4 (May 14, 2028) — 25 questions, 6 seconds each. Not pass/fail, but it identifies multiplication fluency gaps early.

What happens during Year 5 (2028-2029)?

Year 5 bridges to secondary school, with mock SATs-style assessments in Jan-Feb 2029.
End-of-year results (May 6-8, 2029) become the Year 6 baseline.

How do Year 3-5 assessments affect secondary school?

Secondary schools use Year 5 results (May-Jun 2029) as a baseline. Gaps left unaddressed
here compound across KS3 and GCSE — early intervention matters most.

How does tutoring help in KS2 Years 3-5?

Year 3 focuses on literacy and numeracy foundations. Year 4 builds multiplication fluency
ahead of the national check, and Year 5 shifts to secondary readiness.

What should parents focus on in Years 3-5?

Reading fluency, phonics, and multiplication tables fluency (especially Year 4). Regular 1-
2 sessions/week tutoring prevents gaps compounding over the three years.

KS2 Exam Schedule: Primary Foundation Guide

KS2 Key Dates 2027-2029

KS2 Assessment Dates by Subject: 2027–2029

When Should Tutoring Support Start?

Support Your Child Through KS2: Years 3-5 (2027–2029)

Key Takeaways

Starting early keeps you prepared, not rushed

Book a Free Trial for your child!

Frequently asked questions

When do Year 3 assessments happen?

What is the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check?

What happens during Year 5 (2028-2029)?

How do Year 3-5 assessments affect secondary school?

How does tutoring help in KS2 Years 3-5?

What should parents focus on in Years 3-5?

How often should my child attend tutoring sessions?

Is there a long-term commitment required for tutoring?

Do you offer online tutoring in addition to home tuition?

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Can I choose my child’s tutor?

What is the duration of each tutoring session?

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