The Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check, commonly referred to as ‘MTC’ takes place in June each year and all eligible Year 4 pupils participate.
Here is a breakdown of what the multiplication tables check is, what it looks like and how to administer it, as well as top tips and resources to ensure your pupils are prepared.
What is the Multiplication Tables Check?
The Multiplication Tables Check is an online assessment which focuses purely on times tables. It can be completed on a laptop, computer or tablet. Children get six seconds to answer each question, with a three-second pause in between each question. There are a total of 25 questions, so the check takes approximately five minutes to complete.
What Is the Purpose of the Year 4 MTC?
The purpose of the multiplication tables check is to identify children who need more support in securing fluency in their times table knowledge. There is no pass or fail mark and there is no need to resit this test. It is there to support teachers in their assessment.
Times tables underpin lots of areas of mathematics. A secure knowledge allows pupils to work confidently and efficiently and reduces cognitive load when understanding new concepts and working out mathematical questions. Mastering times tables frees up thinking space, enabling deeper reasoning and quicker progress in maths.
What Does It Look Like?
Below is a video of MathShed’s FREE MTC Simulator. It has been modelled exactly on the formatting and other rules set out by the Department for Education with a friendlier, game-like user interface. Therefore, it is very similar to what the real deal looks like. It is completely FREE for non-subscribers and EdShed subscribers and can be accessed throughout the whole year.
Children are presented with a multiplication question and a keypad to answer the question. They can use the keypad to answer the question or can simply type the answer before pressing enter. If children do not press the tick or enter by the end of the six seconds, the check will automatically take the answer that has been entered. After this, there is a three-second pause (as shown above) before the next question is presented.
All questions are completed digitally and there is no paper-based alternative.
Which Pupils Participate in the Check?
All children in Year 4 will complete the multiplication tables check. However, there are some exceptions. This includes children who are:
- Absent during the check window
- Unable to participate, even with access arrangements
- Yet to meet Expected Standard for times tables in Year 2
- Recently arrived pupils with English as an additional language
- Other reasons submitted by the headteacher
Although the check is completed within the first two weeks of June, there is a variation week for pupils who have been absent during the initial two-week window.
How Should the MTC Be Administered?
The MTC can be completed in a whole classroom setting, in a small group setting or individually. You can choose how it is administered, taking into consideration how many devices your school has access to and what is best for the pupils in your class.
Content
All of the questions are multiplication questions; there are no division questions.
The 1x table is excluded from the check. Any multiplication facts from the 2x tables up to 12x tables can be on the check.
The commutative equivalent will not appear in the same check. So 7 x 8 or 8 x 7 may appear in the check, but both will not appear in the same check.
Common Questions
The table below shows how often each multiplication table can appear on the check.
The table shows that the 10x table and the 2x table may not appear at all, whereas the 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12x tables will appear at least twice but can appear up to four times per check. These are sometimes considered the more difficult times tables.
Accessing the Multiplication Tables Check
Prior to the check, educators can access the MTC service through the DfE sign-in. This will allow you to access everything you need to administer the check. Here you can ensure you have all pupils registered correctly and generate the passwords and PIN numbers so children can access the check. More information can be found in the Multiplication tables check: IT guidance. Children can also use the ‘try it out’ so that they are familiar with the check. We advise making sure children do this, so that they understand what it looks like and feels like prior to the check, even if they have been practising using MathShed’s MTC simulator.
Access Arrangements
The table below shows access arrangements for the check. Full details can be found in the Multiplication tables check administration guidance.
How Can I Help Pupils Prepare for the Year 4 MTC?
Multiple Representations
Building conceptualisation is key for children to understand how times tables work. Using the CPA (concrete, pictorial, abstract) approach can help children build mathematical understanding to then develop fluency. The stronger the foundations are, the more likely they are to be successful. Using multiple representations increases understanding and makes children more confident with times tables.
Arrays
Arrays are useful for showing children commutative times tables. If children favour certain times tables, such as the three times tables, it can be helpful to show them that 3 x 6 is the same as 6 x 3; therefore, if they know 3 x 6, then they also know 6 x 3.
Arrays are useful to show children that multiplication is repeated addition. They also demonstrate the link between multiplication and division.
Quick Maths Slides
As children only have six seconds to answer questions, speed and fluency are key. MathShed includes Quick Maths daily arithmetic slides. These are designed to develop pace and fluency and include lots of multiplication questions.
Wider Maths
Multiplication knowledge is needed for lots of mathematical areas and you can use this to your advantage. Ensure children are getting useful and meaningful practice when incorporating it in your lessons. Area and perimeter and fractions (particularly converting fractions) are just a few areas that require multiplication knowledge.
Lessons and Digital Question Sets to Build Conceptualisation
In order for children to master times tables, they need a strong conceptual understanding of how they work, rather than just memorising the facts. MathShed’s mastery lesson presentations and activity slips use the CPA approach to build this understanding. Each lesson includes an accompanying self-marking digital question set to help build understanding. These can be assigned to pupils to complete at home or in class and they can also be generated as worksheets.
Stage 2
To be able to use the 2 times table: Lesson Question Set
To be able to use the 10 times table: Lesson Question Set
To be able to use the 5 times table Lesson Question Set
Stage 3
To be able to multiply by 3: Lesson Question Set
To be able to multiply by 4: Lesson Question Set
To be able to multiply by 8: Lesson Question Set
Stage 4
To be able to become fluent in the 6 times table: Lesson Question Set
To be able to become fluent in the 9 times table: Lesson Question Set
To be able to become fluent in the 7 times table: Lesson Question Set
To be able to know and use the 11 times table and division facts: Lesson Question Set
To be able to know and use the 11 times table and division facts: Lesson Question Set
Although building conceptualisation and mathematical understanding is vital, it is important to note that these are the foundational skills that are needed to eventually develop fluency and instant recall, which is what we are aiming for.
Online Games
MathShed’s online games are designed to develop critical maths skills, including times tables. They are a fun and engaging way of practising times tables and develop pace and fluency. When children play, they are entered into MathShed’s leagues, which can create some friendly competition in the classroom, between classes or throughout the whole school.
There are games for all times tables (1-12), so you can target learning and revision. They have different levels, so children can choose the amount of support they need in order to succeed.
Use Your Data
Data from MathShed’s self-marking question sets and games automatically feeds into a handy data report, making it easy to identify strengths, gaps and weaknesses.
The game data also provides a clear times tables heat map so you can easily identify which times tables your pupils need to focus on. You can then assign games and question sets based on this data.
FREE Resources
MathShed also provides lots of FREE resources that include multiplication practice. These include seasonal resources, display resources, multiplication grids and more.
Speed is Key
Speed is key in the Year 4 multiplication tables check. With six seconds per question, it is vital to develop pace, fluency and rapid recall.
Make Sure Children Are Comfortable with the Devices Being Used
Although it is a multiplication tables check, you need to ensure children are comfortable and confident completing the check on the device chosen.
For example, if you have been practising using the MTC simulator on a tablet, don’t then change to a laptop or computer, as children may not be confident using a mouse or knowing where the numbers are on the keyboard.
Useful Links
Multiplication tables check administration guidance
Multiplication tables check: IT guidance
2026 Key Stage 2 Assessment and Reporting Arrangements
Video Webinar Recording: Statutory Assessment Series: Statutory Assessment Series: Preparation for the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check
Watch this free webinar recording for all of the above.