YEAR 4 - MULTIPLICATION TEST CHECK
You may be aware that in June 2023, there is a statutory test for year 4 children called the “Multiplication Tables Check” (MTC). Last year, was the first official year of the test and the previous year Moulsham Junior School took part in the pilot test.
If you were unable to attend the meeting on the 20th April here is a summary of what you need to know:
Under the national curriculum primary school children are expected to know their 12 times tables by the end of Year 4. The focus is on quick recall also known as fluency. Children will be tested on times tables up to 12 x 12.
The check itself: will take place in the summer term in June.
• This is done online using a computer or tablet.
• It can be done one student at a time, in groups or as a class.
• It will take no longer than 5 minutes.
• It will feature 25 questions and children will have 6 seconds to answer each question. There will be a three-second pause after each question.
• There’s no problem-solving or division just simple “3 x 4 = ?” type questions.
• Each multiplication test is generated randomly so that no two pupils will take the same test. However, there is a guide on how many minimum and maximum questions will be asked on each times table.
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In the Multiplication Test Check, some of the multiplication tables will be used more frequently than others. The DfE defines how much each multiplication table can be used in the grid shown above.
There is a focus on the 6, 7-, 8-, 9- and 12-times tables as these are deemed to be the more difficult multiplication facts.
The school will receive your child’s results in July and will send these home with their summer report. Last year, the results of the test were not published publicly. The results are for the teachers to use, so we can provide an even better education!
I am sure that along with you, we do not want our students worried or stressed about the check. The Government has called it a “check” rather than a “test” or “exam” for a reason.
Practise at Home: Because maths is such a big subject, (we will of course continue to teach the full curriculum), we will however need your continued support to help practise the times tables with your child/children. Some easy ways to do this include:
• Asking questions such as “What’s 7 x 8?”
• Reciting times tables by rote (4 times 1 is 4, 4 times 2 is 8, etc)
• Using apps and games such as Times Table Rockstars,
Multiplication Tables Check - Timestables.co.uk :
https://www.timestables.co.uk/multiplication-tables-check
Multiplication Tables Check – Mathsframe :
https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/477/Multiplication-Tables-Check
These programmes do replicate what the Times Table check will look like.
• Singing times tables songs (there are lots online).
Why do we learn the times tables?
In primary school, times tables knowledge is vital for quick mental maths calculations and problem-solving, as well as for many of the topics children learn in years 5 and 6 (division, fractions, percentages).
Attached is a booklet for parents which will be useful with further information.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/multiplication-tables-check-information-for-parents
We will practice with the children in school in order to help prepare them for the check and to get them use to recording on the appropriate device. We will also use this practice period to work out whether children need any additional and reasonable adjustments made such as changing the font size or background colour.
If you have further questions, please contact your child’s class teacher in the first instance.