You may have heard about the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC), but what exactly is it? While it may sound a little scary, by understanding what’s involved, you can help your child to feel confident and prepared ahead of the test. Read our guide to find out more!

In this blog, we’ll cover:

• What is the Multiplication Tables Check?
• When will the Multiplication Tables Check take place in 2023?
• How is the Multiplication Tables Check delivered?
• How is the Multiplication Tables Check marked?
• How can I help my child prepare for the Multiplication Tables Check?

What is the Multiplication Tables Check?

The Multiplication Tables Check (also known as the MTC) is designed to ensure that children know their times tables up to 12 off by heart. The test is taken by children in Year 4.

Encouraging children to learn their times tables is really important. They play a key role in improving mental maths and building confidence in maths as a whole, so it’s well worth taking the time to understand and learn them off by heart.

When will the Year 4 times tables test take place in 2023?

In 2023, the Multiplication Tables Check will take place in June over a three-week window starting from the 5th of June, with no set day for the MTC.

If your child has older or younger siblings, it may be helpful to keep in mind that KS1 and KS2 SATs take place in May. Take a look at our KS1 and KS2 SATs guide to learn more about these tests.

How is the Multiplication Tables Check delivered?

The MTC consists of 25 questions and takes less than five minutes!

• The MTC can be taken on computers or tablets
  
• From the time a question appears on the screen, children have six seconds to answer each question, using a keyboard to input their answer or pressing digits with a mouse or touchscreen

How is the Multiplication Tables Check marked?

Parents receive results from the Check after a three-week window. There isn’t a ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ threshold for the test; the results are just to see how each child is doing and if they need any extra support in their times tables.

The results also help schools to see if they need to make any adjustments to the way they’re teaching. The results aren’t published in any performance tables, but they’re analysed by Ofsted.

How can I help my child prepare for the Year 4 times tables test?

• Try not to learn times tables only by reciting them in order, as this can make them harder to recall when they’re presented randomly. Instead, once your child feels comfortable with a table, ask them questions in lots of different orders and gradually add other tables to the mix.
  
• Learning tables in a specific order makes them much easier to memorise.
  
• There are lots of handy hints that make mastering each times table easy!
  
• Or, why not try some creative methods to help liven up learning them?

Prepare for the Multiplication Tables Check with DoodleTables

DoodleTables is the perfect way to prepare for the Multiplication Tables Check!

Designed to be used for 10 minutes a day, its ‘Learn’ exercises help your child to understand the methodology behind each table, while the ’60 Second Challenge’ builds their instant recall.

DoodleTables is available in the App Store, Google Play Store, Amazon Appstore and on our website.

Why not download the app to try it for free today?