SATs Grammar

📝 1. Overview

The GPS SATs test has two papers:

1. Paper 1 – Grammar, Punctuation and Vocabulary (45 minutes)

   • 50 marks
     
     

2. Paper 2 – Spelling (around 15–20 minutes)

   • 20 marks

   • Pupils write missing words dictated in sentences
     
     

Grammar knowledge is tested in context, not in isolation. Pupils must understand and manipulate grammar in sentences.

📚 2. Key Grammar Areas Tested

2.1 Sentence Types

• Statements, questions, commands, exclamations
  
  

• Simple, compound, and complex sentences
  
  

  • Correct use of subordinating conjunctions (because, although, if)
    
    

  • Correct use of coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, so, yet)
    
    

2.2 Word Classes

• Nouns (common, proper, abstract, collective)
  
  

• Pronouns (subject, object, possessive, relative)
  
  

• Verbs (main, auxiliary, modal)
  
  

• Adjectives and adverbs
  
  

• Prepositions and conjunctions
  
  

• Determiners (a, an, the, some, each)
  
  

2.3 Verb Forms

• Tense: past, present, future
  
  

• Perfect forms (e.g., “I have eaten”)
  
  

• Passive and active voice
  
  

• Subject–verb agreement
  
  

2.4 Punctuation

• Full stops, commas, question marks, exclamation marks
  
  

• Apostrophes for possession and contractions
  
  

• Colons and semicolons (less common, but may appear)
  
  

• Speech punctuation (“He said, ‘…’”)
  
  

• Brackets, dashes, and hyphens (sometimes tested)
  
  

2.5 Sentence Structure and Cohesion

• Using fronted adverbials (e.g., “After the storm, …”)
  
  

• Using relative clauses (e.g., “The boy who ran fast…”)
  
  

• Using expanded noun phrases (e.g., “the large, spotted dog”)
  
  

• Correct use of conjunctions for cohesion (however, therefore, although)
  
  

2.6 Vocabulary and Word Choice

• Synonyms and antonyms
  
  

• Precise word choice for effect
  
  

• Using formal and informal language appropriately
  
  

2.7 Standard English

• Correct subject–verb agreement
  
  

• Correct pronoun reference
  
  

• Avoiding common informal grammar mistakes in writing