Ace the SATs Reading Paper with Confidence
Practise comprehension skills with fiction, non-fiction, and poetry passages — just like the real Year 6 exam.
The Reading Paper
38 questions • 60 minutes • Based on 3 passages (fiction, non-fiction, poetry)
What examiners look for
- ✓Retrieval — finding facts in the text
- ✓Inference — reading between the lines
- ✓Vocabulary in context — word meanings
- ✓Summarising — key ideas and themes
- ✓Predicting — what happens next
- ✓Comparing — across different texts
Six Reading Skills You Need to Master
Retrieval
Finding explicit information in the text
Inference
Reading between the lines to understand meaning
Vocabulary in Context
Working out what words mean from the surrounding text
Summarising
Identifying the key ideas and themes
Predicting
Using clues to work out what might happen next
Comparing
Spotting similarities and differences across texts
Three Types of Text
Fiction
Stories, extracts from novels, and narrative writing that bring characters and settings to life.
Non-Fiction
Reports, explanations, persuasive texts, and biographies covering real-world topics.
Poetry
Classic and modern poems exploring rhythm, rhyme, imagery, and emotion.
Try Some Questions
Read the passage below, then answer the questions to see how it works.
Maya had always been fascinated by the old lighthouse that stood at the edge of the harbour. Its red and white stripes had faded over the years, but it still stood tall against the grey sky. One afternoon, she decided to explore inside. The heavy wooden door creaked open, revealing a spiral staircase winding upwards into darkness.
What colours were the lighthouse?
How do we know the lighthouse is old?
What does 'revealing' mean in this passage?
Why SATs Arcade for Reading?
Real Exam-Style Passages
Fiction, non-fiction and poetry mirroring the actual KS2 reading test.
Detailed Explanations
Every answer explains the reading skill being tested so your child learns as they go.
Text-to-Speech
Built-in reader for children who need audio support while practising.
Timed Practice
Full 60-minute mock reading papers to build exam confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Build Your Child's Reading Confidence?
Start preparing for the KS2 reading paper with SATs Arcade. Free to get started — no card needed.
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