We have just published some excellent SAT practice pages on fractions and percentages towards the higher levels. These are certainly not for the fainthearted and before tackling the Level 5 work, children should have a good basic understanding of fractions. Fortunately calculators may be used for the more difficult questions as they are often found in the Calculator paper. A good understanding of equivalent fractions is absolutely necessary for competent work in fractions. Children need to be able to change a fraction into any number of equivalent fractions and that they are able to cancel and 'lecnac' (opposite of cancelling) fractions at will. e.g. 2/4 = 4/8 = 8/16 etc For example, in questions where children have to spot two fractions which have the same value, one method is to cancel all the fractions to their lowest terms and same value fractions can then be easily spotted. Children should also be able to convert fractions to decimals by dividing the numerator by the denominator with a calculator (fractions are, after all, division sums). This will enable them to easily find fractions that are less than or more than another fraction. Children should be able to find simple fractions of quantities and shapes and should know the percentage equivalents of simple fractions. Lastly, they should be able to calculate percentages of quantities by either recognising the equivalent fraction of the percentage or by dividing by 100 and multiplying by the percentage. Go to the Equivalent fractions pages for levels 4/5.