Preparing for the Multiplication Tables Check

A good knowledge of times tables is a must-have tool in anyone’s kit when it comes to solving maths problems. That’s why it’s so important that children get to grips with them.

In England, primary school pupils in Year 4 take the multiplication tables check (MTC) to check their confidence with times tables. Read on to find out more about the MTC, why it’s important and what CGP+ can offer to help your child or class prepare for it.
 

What is the multiplication tables check?

The MTC tests knowledge of times tables up to 12 × 12. It’s a statutory assessment, which means that primary school pupils (in England) are legally required to take the test. It first took place last summer as part of the government’s aim to raise standards in maths education.

By testing children’s knowledge of times tables, the MTC helps teachers to identify any gaps in their pupils' understanding and to give support where necessary.
 

How is the multiplication tables check taken?

The MTC is completed onscreen with pupils given six seconds to answer each multiplication question one at a time. There are strict rules about which times tables show up — there’ll be more questions from the 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12 times tables than from the others.

There’s a three second gap between each of the 25 questions, so the whole test should take no longer than five minutes to complete. To help children get ready for the real test questions, there are three practice questions at the start.

You can find more information on how to set up for the MTC here.
 

What do the multiplication tables check results mean?

The score given at the end of the test is simply the number of correct answers given within the time limit. There are no marks taken away for incorrect answers so children should be encouraged to make a best guess if they are unsure of an answer.

The MTC is designed to be a low-stress assessment taken in a relaxed setting. It’s not a high-stakes test, and the results are not used to score children’s levels of achievement. Instead, the results are used to help teachers support children who may need more assistance with this core maths skill.

Results are not published for individual schools, but schools can use the national and local averages that are published to assess how well their pupils have done overall. In summer 2022, the average score was 19.8 out of 25 and 27% of pupils scored full marks, which was also the most common score.
 

How to prepare for the multiplication tables check?

One of the best ways for children to gain confidence with the times tables in preparation for the MTC is through regular practice both in the classroom and at home.

On CGP+ there are a variety of online resources available that can help make learning multiplication tables more fun and engaging. Here’s a rundown of the highlights:

• These multiplication tables check tests follow the rules of the real MTC so the multiplications in them are the right mix of the different times tables. You could do them within a time limit to make them even more like the real thing.

• There are also test packs which include tests on mixed times tables and times tables facts (think division facts and multiplying multiples of 10) grouped by the school year these times tables are covered in. That’s the 2, 5 and 10 times tables for Year 2, the 3, 4 and 8 times tables for Year 3 and the 6, 7, 9, 11 and 12 times tables for Year 4.
• Children can play the times tables interactive games on the CGP+ website as a class or individually. In Rat Romance Times Tables and Meerkat Times Tables they can choose a times table to focus on or answer questions from across all the times tables. There’s also games for practising using times tables facts and building times table confidence — Dragon Times Tables Facts and Kittens Times Tables Facts.
• In our times tables videos, children are talked through the times tables before counting forwards and backwards through the multiples. You can try this one on the 12 times tables for free without a subscription for a limited time.
• These grids can be used to practise time tables — you could challenge pupils to complete them as quickly as possible and mark their answers to spot any times tables that they might be struggling with.

• Children can use these flashcards to practise times tables on their own or you can use them for group activities like the ones described in this resource.

Keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram for more times tables prep and other great CGP+ resources. If you’re preparing your children or class for the MTC, we wish you the best of luck!