Multiplication Timestable Check

The Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check

In June, Year 4 pupils will be required to take the statutory Multiplication Tables Check (MTC). The check is to test if children can fluently recall their times tables up to 12, which is important for fully accessing many areas of the Mathematics curriculum throughout Key Stage 2, and beyond.

The MTC is an on-screen check with 25 times tables questions. Children will have six seconds to answer each question. The check should take around five minutes to complete. Children have been practising their times tables on a daily basis with their class teacher using a range of teaching and learning tools and strategies such as games, songs and using an online app, which they can also access at home too.  

How can I help my child prepare?

The best way to keep the test stress-free is to work some time- tables practice into your daily routine well in advance. With regular practice, your child will get used to tackling these kinds of questions with confidence. 

If your child is feeling nervous in the approach to the check, don’t panic. Our top five tips for helping your child learn their times tables will get them up to speed:

1. Use times table wall charts
Wall charts show all the answers for a particular times table. Stick them up somewhere they’ll be seen often. For instance, you could put them on the fridge so that your child will see them when they’re brushing their teeth. You’ll be amazed how quickly they learn when they see these number facts every day!

2. Play times tables games
Games and challenges are a great way to support learning, and a few minutes a day will make all the difference. Why not play snap with some times tables flashcards, matching the sums to the answers as fast as you can? Or you could surprise your child by asking times tables questions at random times during the day and seeing how quickly they can respond (this works particularly well as a competition between siblings or friends).

Using games keeps practice short and sweet, and makes the process much less of a chore for you and your child.

3.  Make it real
If your child can’t see any point in learning their times tables, try showing them how this knowledge is useful in everyday life. Instead of just rote learning their times tables, try to create opportunities for your child to use multiplication in problem solving. For example, ask them to scale up a recipe or calculate whether they have enough money to buy more of their favourite things (such as sweets or football cards). This will help your child see the value of their learning.

4. Practise on the computer
Help your child become comfortable reading and answering questions on a screen.  As a school, we use our app to familiarise and help the children with this as well as the 'Y4 check test' which mimics the real test. Encourage them to use this at home.