Guide · Primary maths · About a 4-minute read
The Year 4 multiplication tables check: what parents need to know
Every Year 4 child at a state school in England takes the multiplication tables check in June. It's short, it's on a screen, and there's no pass mark, but children who know their tables by heart find it much easier. Here's how it works and a simple way to practise at home.
What is it?
The multiplication tables check (MTC) is a short online test of times tables up to 12 x 12. The government says its purpose is to find out whether pupils can recall their times tables fluently, so schools can spot who needs extra support.
When is it in 2027?
Schools must give the check within the 2-week period from Monday 7 June 2027. Your child's school chooses the day, and they can do it in small groups or as a whole class. Children can use a "try it out" version at school in the weeks before.
How the check works
- 3 practice questions, then 25 timed questions.
- 6 seconds to type each answer, then a 3-second pause before the next question.
- Questions are multiplication only, from the 2 to 12 times tables.
- It takes less than 5 minutes.
- There's no pass mark. Each child gets a score out of 25.
Why 6 seconds matters
Six seconds is long enough to type an answer you already know, but too short to count up on your fingers. That's why practice should be about instant recall, not working it out. The facts that trip children up most are usually in the 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12 times tables (7 x 8, 6 x 9 and 12 x 7 are common sticking points).
A 5-minutes-a-day plan
- Weeks 1 to 4: one table at a time. Start with the 2s, 5s and 10s for confidence, then the 3s, 4s and 11s, then the tricky ones.
- Weeks 5 to 8: mixed questions. Do 25 mixed questions against a timer and mark them together.
- Keep a score chart. Children love seeing their own score go up. Aim for steady progress, not 25 out of 25 straight away.
- Go back to the facts they miss. Write the three hardest on a sticky note on the fridge for the week.
Tricks that make the hard facts stick
- 9s finger trick: hold up ten fingers, fold down the one you're multiplying by. Fingers to the left are tens, to the right are units.
- 5, 6, 7, 8: 56 = 7 x 8.
- 4s are double the 2s, and 8s are double the 4s.
- 12s are the 10s plus the 2s: 12 x 7 = 70 + 14 = 84.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the multiplication tables check in 2027?
- Schools in England must give the check within the 2-week period from Monday 7 June 2027, according to the government's primary assessment dates page. Your child's school picks the exact day.
- How many questions are in the multiplication tables check?
- 25 timed questions on the times tables up to 12 x 12, after 3 practice questions. Children have 6 seconds to answer each one, with a 3-second pause before the next.
- Is there a pass mark?
- No. There is no pass mark. Each child gets a score out of 25, and schools use the results to see who needs more help with their tables.
- Who takes the check?
- It is statutory for Year 4 pupils at state-funded schools in England, including academies and free schools. Independent schools and schools in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland don't have to take part.
- How can I help my child practise at home?
- Little and often works best: about 5 minutes a day. Do one table at a time to start, then mixed questions against a timer, focusing on the hardest facts (6, 7, 8, 9 and 12 times tables). Paper practice is fine, because it is the quick recall that matters, not the screen.
Printable practice, ready to go
Our Year 4 Times Tables Check Practice Pack is a 50-page printable A4 PDF built around the check: 11 warm-up sheets (one for each table from 2 to 12), 30 timed practice checks of 25 mixed questions weighted towards the tricky tables, answers for every sheet, a score tracker, a 12 x 12 grid for the wall and a certificate. It's £3.99, and the PDF is emailed to you after payment (usually within a few hours, always within 12 hours). Print as many copies as you like for your family or class.