Materials — Main Test
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About this resource
The full KS1 materials test. Covers Y1 properties and grouping plus Y2 uses, suitability, and which material works for which job.
What you'll learn
- Comparing & grouping DfE NC Science KS1 everyday materials (Y1)
- Identifying materials DfE NC Science KS1 everyday materials (Y1)
- Physical properties DfE NC Science KS1 everyday materials (Y1)
- Uses & suitability DfE NC Science KS1 uses of everyday materials (Y2)
Inside this resource
- 18 questions
For the student — how to do this
18 questions about materials. The bigger idea this test asks: WHY do we use certain materials for certain jobs? Like, why are windows glass and not wood? Why are spoons metal and not paper?
For parents and carers
The schoolbook Y2 materials assessment. Covers the full KS1 materials strand including the Y2 statutory emphasis on uses and suitability.
The key Y2 reasoning: matching material to purpose. Why is wood good for chairs (strong, easy to shape) but bad for windows (not see-through)? Why is glass good for windows (see-through) but bad for sports equipment (smashes)? This is real-world science reasoning.
For teachers and tutors
Full KS1 materials assessment. Question distribution: identifying materials (3), properties (4), grouping by property (3), suitability/uses (6), object vs material (2).
Y2 statutory focus: suitability questions are the spine of this test — they directly assess "compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials for particular uses."
How to check the work
Auto-marked with reasoning explanations. Best follow-up: "Why are spoons made of metal and not paper?" — discuss what would happen with paper spoons. Counter-example reasoning is the way Y2 children learn suitability.