Dear parents,

In June, all children in Year 4 across the country will take a statutory multiplication tables check. The check is completed online and takes about five minutes. There is no ‘pass’ rate or threshold. There is a three week window for the test to be taken from Monday 5^th – Friday 16^th June and we will let you know nearer the time when each class will take the test.

What is the purpose of the multiplication tables check?

• To determine whether Year 4 pupils can fluently recall their multiplication tables.
• To help schools to identify pupils who require additional support.
• The Department for Education creates a report on overall results across all schools in England

How the multiplication tables check is carried out?

• The check will be fully digital and take place on screen.
• Children will be able to use laptops, desktops and tablets.
• Answers will be entered using a keyboard or by pressing digits using a mouse or touchscreen using an on-screen number pad.
• Children will get 6 seconds from the time the question appears to input their answer.
• There will be 25 questions.

Specific arrangements for multiplication tables check

Children with additional needs, who have similar provision in their day-to-day learning at school, may be allotted specific arrangements, including:

• Colour contrast
• Font size adjustment
• ‘Next’ button (alternative to 3-second pause)
• Removing on-screen number pad
• An adult to input answers
• Question reader
• Audible time alert.

The questions

• Each pupil will be randomly assigned a set of questions.
• Children will only face multiplication statements in the check (not related division facts).
• There will always be questions from the 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12 multiplication tables in each check.
• There will be no questions from the 1 times table (i.e 1 x 8 or 8 x 1).
• The 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12 times tables are more likely to be asked.
• There will only be a maximum of 7 questions from the 2, 5 and 10 times tables.

Will I receive feedback on my child’s check?

Yes. Your child’s teacher will share your child’s score with you, as they would with all national curriculum assessments.

How can I support my child in preparing for their multiplication tables check?

Firstly, a positive attitude goes a long way – so as much encouragement, practice and support as possible. You could

• Practise times tables walking to school
• Climb stairs counting in multiples
• Play verbal times tables games
• Listen to and learn times tables songs
• Play online maths games

The BBC has a number of catchy songs to use to help children remember their 6x, 7x, 8x, 9x, 11, and 12x times tables

https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/supermovers/ks2-maths-the-8-times-table-with-filbert-fox/z4mrhbk

The Oak Academy also has short online lessons to consolidate children’s understanding of multiplication.

https://classroom.thenational.academy/units/multiplication-and-division-70b8

If you would like to help your child practise their times tables using the format of the test itself, there are a number of online resources that are available for this.  We recommend https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/477/Multiplication-Tables-Check.  The time limit allowed for each question can be increased from 6 seconds initially, until your child is confident in answering all the questions without the pressure of time.  When ready, the time limit can then be gradually reduced until your child is confident in being able to answer each question within the 6 second limit.

If you have any further questions, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Best wishes

Karen