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Year 6 SATs English: Reading

Practice for the Key Stage 2 national curriculum test taken in Year 6 in England. Every answer is explained in plain English.

Written against the published specification.

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Pass mark 24/40 45 minutes Standards and Testing Agency How many can I get wrong?
About this practice. Revision Robin is built and maintained by Bloor Engineering Ltd, a UK-registered company. Our Year 6 SATs English: Reading questions are written and reviewed in-house to match the current syllabus, each with a plain-English worked explanation. They are original practice material, not the official exam questions and not affiliated with or endorsed by Standards and Testing Agency. Always confirm current test rules, fees and content with the official provider. See our Terms and Privacy.
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Free practice questions
Try 3 real Year 6 SATs English: Reading questions
Have a go, then reveal the worked explanation. A taster from a bank of 120 original questions. Unlock for unlimited drills and full timed mocks.
Q1. Many people believe that chameleons change their colour to blend in with their surroundings. While this camouflage can be a useful side effect, it is not the main reason for their remarkable transformations. Scientists have discovered that these lizards primarily alter their appearance to communicate with other chameleons and to regulate their body temperature. A dark-coloured chameleon might be trying to absorb more heat from the sun, whereas a brightly coloured one could be signalling its mood – perhaps aggression or a desire to attract a mate. The change is caused by special cells under their skin that expand or contract. According to the text, what is a primary reason chameleons change colour?
  • A.  To hide from their enemies
  • B.  To communicate their mood
  • C.  To match the leaves on a tree
  • D.  To scare away larger animals
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B. To communicate their mood
The passage states they "primarily alter their appearance to communicate" and that a bright colour "could be signalling its mood".
Q2. Leo stared at the envelope on the doormat. His name was written in unfamiliar, spidery handwriting. His hands trembled slightly as he picked it up; it felt heavier than a normal letter. For weeks, he’d been checking the post, his stomach doing a little flip each time he heard the letterbox clang. Now it was here, he almost didn't want to open it. He took a deep, steadying breath, slid his finger under the seal, and pulled out the single sheet of paper. His eyes scanned the first line and a huge, slow grin spread across his face. How did Leo feel *before* he opened the letter?
  • A.  Angry and frustrated
  • B.  Calm and confident
  • C.  Anxious and hopeful
  • D.  Bored and uninterested
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: C. Anxious and hopeful
The text says his hands 'trembled' and his stomach did a 'little flip', which shows he was anxious. He'd been 'checking the post for weeks', which shows he was hopeful.
Q3. Amelia clutched her violin, her palms sweating. From behind the curtain, she could hear the murmur of the audience, a sound that usually excited her. Tonight, however, it filled her with a sense of apprehension. What if she forgot the notes? What if she dropped her bow? A dozen disastrous possibilities played out in her mind. Her teacher gave her an encouraging nod, but the knot in her stomach only tightened. This performance was important, and the fear of making a mistake was almost overwhelming her. The feeling of apprehension is closest to...
  • A.  total boredom
  • B.  joyful excitement
  • C.  calm confidence
  • D.  worried anxiety
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: D. worried anxiety
Amelia is worried about what might go wrong ('What if...'), her palms are sweating, and she has a 'knot in her stomach,' which are all signs of worried anxiety.
Exam mode
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40 random questions, real timing, marked against the official pass mark. Different every time.
The first 8 of 40 questions are free, with your score on them. Finishing the paper, your result against the pass mark and every answer explained come with the paid version.
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Topic drills
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Retrieving explicit information · 20
Inference and deduction · 20
Vocabulary in context · 20
The author's language choices · 20
Summarising and main ideas · 20
Comparing parts of a text · 20

Who has to sit the Year 6 SATs English: Reading

Who needs a Year 6 SATs English: Reading?

All Year 6 students (ages 10-11) in state primary schools in England.

The real Year 6 SATs English: Reading: format

How many questions are in the Year 6 SATs English: Reading?

The real Year 6 SATs English: Reading has 38 questions and lasts 60 minutes. Our mock uses 40 questions in 45 minutes.

How hard is it

What is the Year 6 SATs English: Reading pass rate?

Real exam first-time pass rate: 75% (2026 national average). Difficulty: Challenging for some, often due to text length & inference, but DfE considers it appropriate.

Why people fail it

Why do people fail the Year 6 SATs English: Reading?

Figures for the real exam from vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com, checked October 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the test provider before you book.
Year 6 SATs English: Reading: common questions
Frequently asked
What is the pass mark for the Year 6 SATs English: Reading?
You need 24 out of 40 correct to pass, which is about 60%. Our mocks mark you against this exact threshold.
How long do you get?
The test is timed at 45 minutes. Our full mock runs on the same clock so you can practise your pacing.
Are these the real exam questions?
No. Our questions are original and written to match the current syllabus, so they give realistic practice without copying the official paper. Every answer comes with a plain-English explanation. Always confirm current rules and content with Standards and Testing Agency.