Alongside reading and maths, Year 6 pupils sit a Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling test — commonly called GPS or SPaG — as part of the KS2 SATs. It's the least well-understood of the three by parents, largely because grammar terminology has changed so much since most adults were at school.
What the test actually covers
Two papers: one covering grammar and punctuation questions (multiple choice and short answer), and a separate spelling test where 20 words are read aloud in context for the child to write correctly. Together they assess technical language accuracy — the actual "rules" of English, distinct from the reading paper's focus on comprehension.
The main areas tested
- Word classes (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns)
- Sentence types and clauses (main and subordinate clauses, fronted adverbials)
- Punctuation (apostrophes, commas, inverted commas, semicolons, colons, hyphens)
- Spelling of statutory Year 5/6 words and common exception words
- Standard English grammar (subject-verb agreement, correct tense use)
Why this paper often worries parents more than the others
Unlike reading or maths, much of the terminology (fronted adverbials, subordinating conjunctions, relative clauses) simply didn't exist in most parents' own primary education — making it genuinely hard to help without first learning the vocabulary yourself. This is completely normal and not a sign you're behind as a parent; the curriculum has changed significantly.
How to help without becoming a grammar teacher yourself
- Learn the terms alongside your child, rather than trying to already know them — this also models that learning new things is normal at any age.
- Spot grammar features in real reading rather than only through worksheets — noticing a fronted adverbial in a favourite book sticks better than an isolated exercise.
- Practise the statutory spelling lists consistently across the year, not just before the test — cramming rarely produces lasting spelling improvement.
- Keep the emotional temperature low — this is one paper among several, not a defining measure of your child's ability.
The reassuring bit
GPS terminology looks intimidating written down, but the underlying concepts are genuinely learnable in small pieces over time — and a child doesn't need a parent who already knows every term, just consistent, low-pressure exposure to how English actually works.
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