Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check
The purpose of the check is to determine whether your child can fuently recall their times tables up to 12, which is essential for future success in mathematics. It will also help your child’s school to identify if your child may need additional support. The check is an on-screen check consisting of 25 times table questions. 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.
 |
Government Information and Guidance - Multiplication Tables Check |
|
Information for Parents Multiplication Tables Check |
Timetable 2026
The 2026 Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) for Year 4 pupils in England will be administered over a 2 week period from Monday 1st June 2026, to Friday, 12th June 2026.
What if my child cannot access the check?
There are several access arrangements available for the check, which can be used to support pupils with specifc needs. Your child’s teacher will ensure that the access arrangements are appropriate for your child before they take the check in June. The check was designed to be inclusive and accessible to as many children as possible, including those with special educational needs or disability (SEND) or English as an additional language (EAL). However, there may be some circumstances in which it will not be appropriate for a pupil to take the check, even when using suitable access arrangements. If you have any concerns about your child accessing the check, you should discuss this with your child’s headteacher.
Do I need to do anything to prepare my child for the check?
No, you do not need to do anything additional to prepare your child for the check. As part of usual practice, teachers may ask you to practise times tables with your child. Schools will have unlimited access to a ‘try it out’ area from April. They can use this to make sure pupils have the necessary support to access the check. This includes opportunities for pupils to familiarise themselves with the check application and try out any access arrangements that may be required.
How will the results be used?
Schools will have access to all their pupils’ results, to allow them to identify pupils who need additional support.
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. There is no pass mark for the check.
What if my child does badly in their multiplication tables check?
No child will fail the times tables test as no pass mark has been set. It is also important to note that all children will be tested on is their times tables knowledge – with no problem solving skills being assessed and not even a single division question being asked!
Children in Year 4 will only be asked times tables questions, like 3 x 3 = 9.
What can you do to help your child in practising their times tables?
We would recommend a number of strategies to support your child in the run-up to and after the times tables test including:
- Times tables chanting: “6, 12, 18, 24…”;
- Times tables chanting in reverse order: “108, 99, 90, 81…”;
- Using times tables songs
- Using Times Table Rock Stars
- Using free online games, like those on the KS2 Maths section of our school website
- Asking your child multiplication calculations out of order, like: “What is 4 x 7? What is 9 x 5? What is 6 x 11?”;
- Using pasta pieces or pebbles to show groups of numbers representing times tables, e.g. four groups of three pasta shells to show 3 x 4 = 12
Times Table Practise
Practise your times tables here using this online game. Please click on the picture link to play the game.
You can change the difficulty by using more time or no time limit at all per question. After the test you can print the results.
BBC Teach - Times Tables Collection