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Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check (MTC)

At the end of Year 4 all children sit a national online test to assess their recall of their multiplication facts.  

 

What is the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC)?

Primary-school children are expected to know all their times tables up to 12x12. Under the current National Curriculum, children are supposed to know their times tables by the end of Year 4.

At St George's we support children to learn and recall these facts from Year 2 onwards.   The national test is a quick check on children's understanding and recall.

Why has the test been put in place?

The DfE says that the check is part of a new focus on mastering numeracy, giving children the skills and knowledge they need for secondary school and beyond. The purpose of the MTC is to determine whether Year 4 pupils can recall their multiplication tables fluently (being able to answer times tables questions accurately and quickly, without having to work out the answers). 

How will children be tested?

Children will be tested using an on-screen check (on a computer or a tablet), where they will have to answer multiplication questions against the clock.  

This is nothing to be anxious about, our children are used to this format of assessment using TT Rock Stars.  

The test will last no longer than 5 minutes. Their answers will be marked instantly. 

Children will have 6 seconds to answer each question in a series of 25. Each question will be worth one mark and be presented to the child in this format: 

7x 5 =

 Your child will be able to answer 3 practice questions before taking the actual check. They will then have 6 seconds to answer each question.

On average, the check should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete.

Questions will be selected from the 121 number facts that make up the multiplication tables from 2 to 12, with a particular focus on the 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12 times tables as they are considered to be the most challenging.

Each question will only appear once in any 25-question series, and children won't be asked to answer reversals of a question as part of the check (so if they've already answered 3 x 4 they won't be asked about 4 x 3).

Once the child has inputted their answer on the computer / device they are using, there will be a three-second pause before the next question appears. Children will be given the opportunity to practise answering questions in this format before the official check begins. 

The six-second time limit per question has been decided on by the DfE because it should allow children enough time to demonstrate their recall of times tables without giving them the time to work out the answers to each question.

How will the results be reported?

Pupils' individual results will be made available to schools in late June and reported to parents in your child's annual report.  Parents will receive a mark out of 25.  At St George's we aim for full marks (25/25) but know that the occasional error is to be expected.  

In 2024, at St George's 56% of children achieved full marks and 87% achieved 20+ questions (Over 80%). 

What happens if my child does not score very highly on the test?

There will be no "pass mark" (expected standard threshold) and no child will "fail" the test. Multiplication facts will be the only things tested (there will be no testing of children's knowledge of division facts or problem-solving in the check).

 The DfE says the purpose of the check is to help teachers identify which children are falling behind and target areas where they’re not being given a chance to succeed. 

How can I help my child?

Times tables are best remembered when learnt regularly and in short bursts.  We link this to home learning.  At St George's, we use TT Rock Stars, games and mastery approaches to learning to ensure our children are confident and fluent in their time table recall

Talking Times Tables have set up a practice page for families to experience the MTC

Examinations (ID 1012)



 

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