The Year 6 SATs in 2026 will take place during the week of Monday, 11th May to Thursday, 14th May. Yes, it’s a four-day sprint, not a marathon. Think of it as a short, slightly sweaty workout for your child’s brain.
These dates are set by the Department for Education, and they rarely budge. So, you can safely plan your May half-term break around them. Just don’t book a trip to Disneyland that week—unless you want your child to do their maths reasoning test on a rollercoaster.
Why That Week? A Quick Peek Behind the Curtain
The government picks the second week of May because it’s far enough from Easter for teachers to cram in revision, but not so late that kids are already dreaming of summer. It’s a sweet spot, like the perfect temperature for a cuppa.
Also, it avoids clashing with major holidays. Because imagine trying to explain fractions to a child who just saw a giant bunny deliver chocolate eggs. Impossible.
