KS2 Maths Assessment
A short, adaptive KS2 Maths diagnostic that pinpoints the strands a pupil is secure in and the strands they need to revisit. Designed for UK primary teachers, parents and tutors preparing pupils for Key Stage 2 SATs.
What's covered
Number & Place Value
Reading, writing and ordering numbers; negative numbers; rounding; place value to millions; powers of ten.
Practice on NorthstarArithmetic
Column methods, long multiplication, long division, order of operations, BIDMAS — the core SATs Paper 1 content.
Practice on NorthstarFractions, Decimals & Percentages
Equivalent fractions, comparison, mixed numbers, fractions of amounts, decimal place value, percentage of amounts.
Ratio & Proportion
Notation, simplification, equivalent ratios, scaling, unitary method — Year 6 priority content.
Algebra
Sequences, function machines, one-step and two-step equations, substitution — gentle entry to KS3.
Geometry, Measurement, Statistics
2D and 3D shapes, angles, coordinates, area, perimeter, volume, time, money; bar charts, line graphs, mean.
Frequently asked questions
What does the KS2 Maths assessment cover?
Every strand of the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum from Year 2 to Year 6 — number, calculation, fractions / decimals / percentages, ratio and proportion, algebra, geometry, measurement and statistics. Items are sampled adaptively from each strand based on the pupil's current level.
How long does the assessment take?
A diagnostic typically runs for 8–15 questions, around 10–15 minutes. Northstar's adaptive engine increases item difficulty when the pupil is answering confidently and steps back when they aren't, so the assessment is always at the right level.
Is the assessment aligned to SATs?
Yes — the question bank uses the same strand structure, command words and item types pupils encounter in the KS2 SATs Maths papers (Arithmetic, Reasoning Paper 2, Reasoning Paper 3). Strong performance maps directly to readiness for SATs.
Who is this assessment for?
UK primary teachers tracking class progress, parents wanting a calm view of where a pupil sits in the curriculum, and tutors using diagnostics to plan sessions. Northstar is built for Key Stage 2 (Years 2–6).
Is it free to try?
Yes — parents can sign up for free and run an assessment immediately. Schools start with a free trial that includes the teacher dashboard and per-pupil reporting.