It’s that time of year again—Year 6 children are preparing for their SATs. For many, this is their first experience with formal external exams. Schools will be focusing on preparation, with lessons, extra homework, and possibly even catch-up sessions before or after school.

For some children, SATs also bring their first encounter with exam anxiety. Teachers may emphasize the importance of these exams, highlighting how secondary schools consider the results. Even if teachers keep the pressure low, classmates and conversations can make SATs seem like a defining moment. Some children may worry: What if I don’t do well? Will I be placed in lower groups at secondary school? Will that affect my future, my job, and my life? While adults know these concerns are an overstatement, for a 10- or 11-year-old, these exams can feel life-changing.

If your child is feeling anxious, help put SATs into perspective. They are just a snapshot of progress on a particular day and don’t define their future. SATs don’t measure everything—your child’s talents in music, sport, creativity, leadership, determination, and kindness are just as valuable. Encourage them to see themselves as a whole person, beyond test scores. Let them know that while you care about their efforts, SATs are no more important to you than the many other things they excel in.

Practical Ways to Support Your Child

💡 Familiarity Eases Anxiety

For some children, looking at past SATs papers together can be reassuring. You can help them spot patterns—“These are the kinds of questions they usually ask”—or model how to approach tricky ones:

• “I might skip this and come back later.”

• “I’ll make my best guess here and move on.”

• “Let’s start with the ones I know!”

However, if looking at test papers increases anxiety, follow your child’s lead. Some children prefer not to engage with them outside of school.

🌿 Relaxation Techniques

Simple relaxation exercises can be helpful, both in the lead-up and on exam days. Teach your child to recognize anxiety in their body and use breathing exercises to calm themselves:

• 4-4-6 breathing: Inhale through the nose for 4 seconds, hold for 4, then exhale slowly through the mouth for 6. Try it together—many people use this to manage anxiety in stressful situations.

• Grounding technique: If they feel overwhelmed in the exam room, encourage them to mentally note:

• 5 things they can see

• 4 things they can touch (desk, chair, floor)

• 3 things they can hear (pens scratching, distant chatter)

• 2 things they can smell or taste

Explore relaxation strategies together and find what feels right for them. Having a “toolbox” of calming techniques can give them a sense of control.

Above All, Reassure Them

Let your child know that SATs do not define them, and their results will never change how much you love and believe in them. Make plans for something fun when the exams are over, and remind them that they are so much more than a set of grades. You’re here to support them every step of the way.