How can our Multiplication Tables Check help?

What is our Multiplication Tables Check?

Our Multiplication Tables Check follows the exact specification as laid out in the KS2 National Curriculum Assessments published by the Standards & Testing Agency.

There will be 25 questions with 6 seconds to answer and with a 3 second gap between questions. We also follow the exact specification on the minimum and maximum number of questions taken from each times table. (See What is the MTC? for more information.)

The check can be taken using a keyboard on a PC, using the mouse to click on the number pad, or using an i-pad or i-phone.

How can our Multiplication Tables Check help?

Designing a similar check means that children can become familiar with the layout and timing and gain confidence before taking the real check. They will also be able to find the quickest way of inputting answers and even try it on different devices.

However, we do not recommend taking this check too may times. It is hard, requires maximum concentration and tables really do need to be known ‘off by heart’.

Now we come to the important bit: the beauty of our check is that there is a detailed answer sheet which is printable and shows exactly which tables are known.

We analyse the results and give clear guidance as to which times tables your child need more practice with. Not only that, we give links to both on-screen tables practice and written worksheets which will help children to master the tables they are unsure of. These are much more fun, with ticks for correct answers, on-screen rewards and indeed, are much shorter.

Further thoughts

1. This check will be really challenging, as the expected score is 25 out of 25 and time is extremely limited. Typing or any keyboard errors will be almost impossible to correct within the 6 second time limit.
2. When looking at an answer sheet bear in mind that a child might have made a typing or input error. For example, if 10 x 6 is answered with 0 it probably means that the 6 has not been pressed correctly. There is little or no time for a child to correct this entry before the 6 seconds is up.
3. From our extensive testing we have found that using the mouse to click on the on-screen number pad takes longer than other methods. Using a keyboard will often mean a child has to look from the screen to the keyboard and back to the screen to see that the answer has been entered correctly – all of this takes time and can be tiring. Using a touch screen seems to be the quickest way of answering.
4. Children will need to know their tables ‘off by heart’. 6 seconds will not allow for a child to run through the table in their heads or count on using fingers. They will need to know that 7 x 8 is 56, answering just as quickly as if they had been asked their name!
5. 25 questions is challenging in itself. Try the check yourself to see how long it appears to be! It is very easy for a child to ‘switch off’ for a second or two or still be thinking of the last question when the next one comes up.
6. There are no rewards or clues as to how well you are doing as you go along and if children do not know their times tables it can be quite demoralising.