Year 6 SATs reading questions: the types your child will face

The KS2 reading paper uses the same question types every year. Once your child can spot which type they're looking at, they know exactly what the examiner wants.

The question types (and what they actually ask)

1. Retrieval

Find a specific fact in the text.

These are the most straightforward questions. The answer is stated directly — your child needs to locate it and copy or paraphrase accurately.

Typical wording: "What did…?", "Where was…?", "According to the text…"

2. Inference

Work out something the author hasn't stated directly.

Inference carries the most marks on the paper. Children must read between the lines and explain their reasoning.

Typical wording: "How do you know that…?", "What impression do you get of…?", "Explain why…"

Key habit: always follow the inference with a quote from the text.

3. Vocabulary

Explain what a word or phrase means in context.

The answer must fit the specific sentence, not just the dictionary definition. Practise by swapping the word for a synonym and checking the sentence still works.

Typical wording: "What does the word ___ suggest?", "Find and copy a word that means…"

4. Summary

Identify the main idea across one or more paragraphs.

Children need to separate the key point from supporting detail. A useful test: "If you could only say one sentence about this section, what would it be?"

Typical wording: "Number these events in order", "What is the main theme of…?"

5. Prediction and comparison

Use clues to predict what might happen, or compare ideas within the text.

These questions appear less often but are worth practising. Both require evidence — a guess without a quote won't score.

Typical wording: "What do you think will happen next? Use evidence…", "How is X different from Y?"

How to use this at home

• After reading a passage together, ask your child: "What type of question is this?"
• If they can name the type, they usually know what format the answer needs.
• When marking, focus on whether the meaning is right and backed by the text — exact wording doesn't matter.
• Focus extra time on inference — it typically carries the largest share of marks.