Year 6 KS2 SATs Maths — Arithmetic

Year 6 KS2 SATs — Maths Arithmetic (Paper 1)

Build speed and accuracy with the standard written methods tested in Maths Paper 1: column addition/subtraction, long multiplication and division, and fractions.

Exam Tips for Maths Paper 1

1. No calculator allowed — Paper 1 tests fluency with standard written methods, so practise them until they're automatic.

2. Line up your columns carefully — misaligned digits are the most common cause of mistakes.

3. Remember BIDMAS — Brackets, Indices, Division/Multiplication, Addition/Subtraction, in that order.

4. Estimate first — a quick rounded estimate catches silly mistakes before you write your final answer.

Note: Maths Paper 1 lasts 30 minutes and is worth 36 marks — it's pure calculation, unlike Papers 2 and 3, which test reasoning and word problems.

What This Test Covers

Column Methods

Addition and subtraction of large numbers and decimals, using formal written methods.

Long Multiplication

Multiplying a 3 or 4-digit number by a 2-digit number.

Short & Long Division

Dividing up to 4-digit numbers, including interpreting remainders.

Fractions

Adding, subtracting and multiplying fractions, including mixed numbers.

Percentages

Finding percentages of amounts, and converting between fractions, decimals and percentages.

Order of Operations

Using BIDMAS to solve calculations with brackets and mixed operations.

Key Concepts Summary

●Column methods: line up place value columns carefully, and carry/borrow between them.
●Long multiplication: split the second number into parts (tens and units), multiply separately, then add.
●Fractions: find a common denominator before adding or subtracting; divide by the denominator, then multiply by the numerator, for “fraction of” questions.
●Decimals: calculate as if there's no decimal point, then place it back based on the number of decimal places.
●BIDMAS: Brackets, Indices, Division/Multiplication, Addition/Subtraction — always in that order.