KS2 Maths Paper 1: Arithmetic (SATs Practice)
The arithmetic paper is a calculation-only paper: there are no words to interpret and no context, just a sequence of calculations to complete. It covers the four operations with whole numbers and decimals, including long multiplication and long division, fractions of amounts, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions, percentages of amounts, and calculations involving brackets and the order of operations. Most questions are worth one mark for the answer alone, but the long multiplication and long division questions are usually worth two, with a mark available for a correct method even when the final answer is wrong. Speed comes from knowing number facts, and accuracy comes from setting the written methods out neatly.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Know the times tables to 12 by heart. Almost every long calculation on this paper is built from them, and hesitating over 7 times 8 costs time on every question that uses it.
- Set out formal written methods properly: line up the place value columns in column addition and subtraction, keep the columns straight in long multiplication, and write the carrying figures small and clearly.
- For long division, use the standard method with the numbers written above the line, and write out the first few multiples of the divisor before starting so you are not calculating them repeatedly.
- For fractions, make the denominators the same before adding or subtracting, multiply numerators and denominators straight across when multiplying, and for dividing by a fraction, multiply by its reciprocal.
- For order of operations, do brackets first, then multiplication and division from left to right, then addition and subtraction from left to right.
- Answer every question, since there is no penalty for a wrong answer, and use any spare time at the end to redo the long multiplication and division questions rather than merely rereading them.
Worked example
Work out 4.2 x 100, then 3/8 of 240, then 1/2 + 1/3, showing your method for each.
- For 4.2 x 100, move each digit two places to the left rather than adding zeros: 4.2 becomes 420.
- For 3/8 of 240, divide by the denominator first: 240 divided by 8 = 30.
- Then multiply by the numerator: 30 x 3 = 90, so 3/8 of 240 is 90.
- For 1/2 + 1/3, find a common denominator. The lowest common multiple of 2 and 3 is 6.
- Convert both fractions: 1/2 = 3/6 and 1/3 = 2/6.
- Add the numerators over the common denominator: 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6.
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q1Work out 6.05 x 1000.Show answer
Answer: 6050.
Q2Work out 2/5 of 350.Show answer
Answer: 350 divided by 5 = 70, then 70 x 2 = 140.
Q3Work out 3/4 - 1/6.Show answer
Answer: Common denominator 12: 9/12 - 2/12 = 7/12.
Q4Work out 2/3 x 3/5.Show answer
Answer: Multiply across: 6/15, which simplifies to 2/5.
Q5Work out 1/4 divided by 2.Show answer
Answer: 1/8, because dividing by 2 is the same as multiplying by 1/2.
Q6Work out 15 percent of 60.Show answer
Answer: 10 percent is 6 and 5 percent is 3, so 15 percent is 9.
Q7Work out 8 + 4 x 3.Show answer
Answer: 20, because the multiplication is done before the addition.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a KS1 and KS2 SATs exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Work out 348 x 27 using a formal written method.
Show mark scheme
Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 2 available
Work out 1044 divided by 12 using a formal written method.
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Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 2 available
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the ks2 maths paper 1: arithmetic (sats practice) worksheet pack - 8 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
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