Key Stage 1 Maths Tests

What is Key Stage 1?

Key Stage 1 covers the first two years of primary school in England (Years 1 and 2, ages 5-7). The maths curriculum focuses on building foundational number sense, basic operations, and early geometry and measurement skills.

At the end of Year 2, pupils are assessed against national standards through teacher assessments. Our tests help teachers gather evidence and help parents support learning at home.

KS1 Maths Practice: Laying the Foundations in Years 1 and 2

Key Stage 1 is where every child's maths journey begins. During Years 1 and 2, children develop the number sense, counting skills, and basic arithmetic that underpin all future learning. Building confidence with numbers at this early stage has a lasting impact on mathematical achievement throughout primary school and beyond.

What Does the KS1 Maths Curriculum Cover?

The national curriculum for KS1 maths focuses on number and place value, addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, fractions, measurement, geometry (properties of shapes and position/direction), and statistics. By the end of Year 2, children are expected to count confidently to 100, know their 2, 5 and 10 times tables, and solve simple one-step and two-step problems.

Year 1 Maths: What Children Learn

In Year 1, children learn to count to and across 100 from any starting number. They read and write numbers to 100 in numerals and words, recognise the place value of each digit in two-digit numbers, and learn number bonds within 20. Addition and subtraction dominate daily lessons — children solve problems using concrete objects, pictorial representations, and number lines before moving to abstract methods. They begin to recognise and name common 2D and 3D shapes, compare lengths and weights, and tell the time to the hour and half past. By the end of the year, children should have a secure grasp of these building blocks, ready to extend their skills in Year 2.

Year 2 Maths: Preparing for End-of-Key-Stage Assessment

Year 2 builds on Year 1 foundations with greater emphasis on place value, the relationship between addition and subtraction, and the introduction of multiplication and division. Children learn the 2, 5, and 10 times tables and use them to solve problems in context. Fractions appear for the first time as children find halves, quarters, and thirds of shapes and quantities. Measurement extends to include centimetres and metres, litres, hours and minutes, and simple money calculations. By the end of Year 2, teacher assessments determine whether children are working at the expected standard, and MathQuizily tests provide excellent evidence for these judgements.

KS1 SATs: What Has Changed?

Since 2023, formal KS1 SATs examinations are no longer compulsory in England. Schools may still choose to use test-style questions to inform teacher assessments, and many do. The shift means that teacher-led assessment is now the primary method for evaluating children at the end of Key Stage 1. MathQuizily tests are perfectly suited for this purpose — they provide structured, curriculum-aligned questions that give teachers clear evidence of a child's attainment without the pressure of a formal exam setting.

For Teachers

With formal KS1 SATs no longer compulsory, teacher assessment is more important than ever. MathQuizily helps you generate fresh, curriculum-aligned questions for Year 1 and Year 2 in minutes. Use our printable PDFs as evidence for teacher assessments, formative checks, or targeted intervention. Create differentiated sheets for children working at different levels within the same class. The answer sheets save time on marking and make moderation straightforward when working with colleagues across your year group or trust.

For Parents

Support your child's early maths learning with age-appropriate practice. MathQuizily tests come with full worked answers, so you can help even if maths isn't your strongest subject. Short, regular practice sessions of 10 to 15 minutes are far more effective than occasional long sessions at this age. Focus on making maths enjoyable — praise effort, celebrate small wins, and use the worksheets as a springboard for real-world maths activities like counting coins, measuring ingredients, or telling the time.

Building a Strong Foundation for KS2

The skills developed in Key Stage 1 are the bedrock of everything that follows. Children who leave Year 2 with secure number sense, reliable mental arithmetic, and confidence with basic concepts are far better prepared for the increased demands of Key Stage 2. Investing in quality practice now — at just £0.80 per test with no subscription — pays dividends throughout primary school and beyond.