--- type: "Article" title: "Is the 11+ the same as SATs?" description: "No. SATs are compulsory national tests that don't affect secondary placement; the 11+ is a separate, voluntary selective exam with reasoning papers too." resource: https://pip11plus.com/is-the-11-plus-the-same-as-sats tags: ["11+", "KS2 SATs", "pip"] timestamp: 2026-10-13T19:50:09Z image: https://pip11plus.com/info-hub-cards/sats-myth-pip.jpg --- 🔎 Myths & Facts # Is the 11+ the same as SATs? ![Pip](https://pip11plus.com/media/pip-mark.png) **By the Pip team** Updated June 2026 No, the 11+ and SATs are not the same, and confusing them causes a lot of needless worry. SATs are statutory national assessments that every child sits to measure the national curriculum, and they do not decide secondary school places. The 11+ is a separate, voluntary entrance exam used by grammar and independent schools to select pupils, and it adds verbal and non-verbal reasoning that SATs never touch. Knowing the difference helps you plan the right preparation for the right exam. **TL;DR** - They are different exams with different purposes. - SATs are compulsory national tests that do not affect secondary placement. - The 11+ is a voluntary selective exam for grammar and independent schools. - The 11+ adds verbal and non-verbal reasoning, which SATs do not test. ## Are they the same? No. They are run for different reasons, by different people, with different consequences. It is an easy mix-up because both happen around the same stage of primary school, but treating them as one thing leads to the wrong preparation. The simplest way to hold it in your head: SATs measure how schools and pupils are doing against the curriculum, while the 11+ selects children for selective schools. One is about monitoring, the other about admission. _SATs vs the 11+: SATs measure the curriculum and are compulsory; the 11+ is optional, selects for places, and adds reasoning papers SATs never test._ ## What SATs are SATs, or Standard Assessment Tests, are statutory national assessments taken by all children in certain year groups, including Year 6. They check progress against the national curriculum in subjects like maths and English. Importantly, SATs do not determine which secondary school your child attends. They are a measure, not a gateway, and no child opts in or out of them. ## What the 11+ is The 11+ is a voluntary selective entrance exam used by grammar schools and many independent schools to decide who gets a place. You choose to enter your child, and it sits outside normal school assessment. If you are new to it, our guide to [what the 11+ exam is](https://pip11plus.com/what-is-the-11-plus-exam) covers who sits it and when. The key contrast with SATs is that the 11+ has real admission consequences and is entirely optional. **The reasoning papers are the big difference** SATs do not test verbal or non-verbal reasoning, but the 11+ usually does. Because these sit outside the school curriculum, a child can be doing well in class and at SATs yet still need dedicated reasoning practice for the 11+. ## The key differences Three differences matter most. SATs are compulsory; the 11+ is opt-in. SATs do not affect secondary placement; the 11+ decides selective places. And SATs cover the curriculum, while the 11+ adds reasoning papers on top. That last point is the one to act on, because it changes what you practise. Our guide to [the subjects tested in the 11+](https://pip11plus.com/what-subjects-are-tested-in-the-11-plus) shows where reasoning fits, and [preparing for verbal reasoning](https://pip11plus.com/how-should-my-child-prepare-for-verbal-reasoning) covers the part school never teaches. ## Doing both in Year 6 Many children sit both in the same year, with the 11+ in the autumn and SATs later in Year 6. They do not clash in purpose, but they do share your child's time and energy, so a calm, balanced plan helps. A related question worth answering is whether strong SATs results predict 11+ success, which our guide on whether [doing well in SATs means 11+ success](https://pip11plus.com/does-doing-well-in-sats-mean-11-plus-success) tackles directly. In the meantime, a few minutes of [daily practice with Pip](https://pip11plus.com/index#get) keeps reasoning ticking over alongside the curriculum work. Free tools can support the maths side of both exams, and [our Khan Academy review](https://pip11plus.com/khan-academy-review) explains what Khan Academy covers for UK children. See [Khan Academy alternatives for UK families](https://pip11plus.com/khan-academy-alternatives) for options built around SATs and the 11+. ![Pip](https://pip11plus.com/media/pip-mark.png) Written by **The Pip team** The Pip team builds Pip, the 11+ and KS2 practice app for children in years three to six. We write these guides from real exam formats and past papers. ## Keep reading [Does doing well in SATs mean 11+ success?](https://pip11plus.com/does-doing-well-in-sats-mean-11-plus-success): Myths & Facts Why strong SATs do not guarantee it. 4 min read · Myths & Facts [What is the 11+ exam?](https://pip11plus.com/what-is-the-11-plus-exam): Getting Started The basics, in plain English. 5 min read · Getting Started [What subjects are tested in the 11+?](https://pip11plus.com/what-subjects-are-tested-in-the-11-plus): Getting Started Maths, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. 5 min read · Getting Started ## Two exams, one calm routine Pip turns 11+ practice into five calm minutes a day across maths, English and reasoning, fitting neatly around school and SATs. Our guide to [preparing for Year 6 SATs](https://pip11plus.com/preparing-for-year-6-sats) has the May 2027 timetable. [Download Pip on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/pip-11-practice/id6775690698) [Get Pip on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pip11plus.app) [Available at Amazon Appstore](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0HKGJ4HTP) [More 11+ guides](https://pip11plus.com/info-hub) Free forever · no sign-up