Is Your Year 4 Child Ready for the
Multiplication Tables Check?
The MTC is a statutory government assessment taken by every Year 4 child in England. Out of School gives your child structured daily practice and timed mock tests to build the fluency they need.
What is the Multiplication Tables Check?
The Multiplication Tables Check is a statutory annual assessment introduced by the Department for Education in 2022. Every Year 4 child in England sits it once, towards the end of the school year.
The check consists of 25 questions testing times tables from 2× to 12×, delivered online. It takes less than 5 minutes to complete and children have 6 seconds to answer each question. There are 3 practice questions before the real test begins.
There is no pass or fail mark. Results are shared with parents and the school to identify children who may need extra times table support before they move into Year 5.
- ✓25 questions — 2× to 12× tables
- ✓6 seconds per question
- ✓3 practice questions before the real test
- ✓Online, takes less than 5 minutes
- ✓6×, 7×, 8×, 9× and 12× appear more frequently
- ✓No pass or fail — results shared with parents and school
- ✓National average: 21 out of 25 (2024–25)
- ✓37% of children achieved full marks (2024–25)
When does my child take the MTC?
Towards the end of Year 4 — usually June
Schools have a 3-week window in June to administer the check. Your child's school will tell you the exact date in advance.
Children sit it once — no resits
Unlike some assessments there is no opportunity to resit the MTC. If a child misses it due to illness, the school may administer it during the same window where possible, but there is no formal second sitting.
Results appear in the end-of-year report
Schools share individual MTC scores with parents in the Year 4 annual report. The score is used internally to identify children who would benefit from extra support, not for ranking or selection.
How Out of School Prepares Your Child for the MTC
We mirror the real check format from day one — so the actual assessment feels familiar, not frightening.
Daily Times Table Homework
We assign structured daily practice one times table at a time — starting with easier tables and building up to the harder ones (6×, 7×, 8×, 9×, 12×). Each session is 12 questions focused on one table so your child builds genuine fluency, not just guessing.
Timed MTC Mock Tests
Our MTC mock test replicates the real check exactly — 25 questions, 6 seconds each, priority weighting on harder tables, 3 practice questions first. Your child gets used to the format and pressure before the real thing.
Instant Results and Progress Tracking
Every practice session and mock test result is visible to you in the parent portal immediately. See which tables your child has mastered and which ones need more work — before the school check.
Tutor Monitoring
Your child's tutor tracks MTC practice scores alongside their regular homework. If a particular table is causing problems, the tutor can assign extra focused practice immediately.
Which Times Tables Does the MTC Test?
All tables from 2× to 12× are tested, but the DfE specification weights certain tables more heavily because research shows they are harder for most children to recall under time pressure.
Out of School weights practice sessions toward the priority tables, matching the DfE MTC specification. Your child will spend more time on 6×, 7×, 8×, 9× and 12× — exactly as the real check does.
How to Help Your Year 4 Child at Home
Practise little and often
5 to 10 minutes of times table practice daily beats one long session per week. Frequency matters more than duration when building recall speed under time pressure.
Focus on the harder tables first
The 6, 7, 8, 9, and 12 times tables are the ones most children find difficult — and the ones that appear most in the MTC. Start there, not with the 2s and 10s.
Time your child
Use a 6-second rule at home to simulate the real check conditions. Ask a question, count to 6. If your child can't answer in time, that table needs more practice. The time pressure is the part children find hardest.
Use the parent portal
Check which tables your child is struggling with and share that information with their tutor. The parent portal shows every homework result and mock test score in real time.
Don't worry about the score
The MTC is designed to identify gaps, not rank children. A lower score means the school can provide support before Year 5 — that is the whole point of the check.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if my child scores badly on the MTC?
There is no pass or fail mark. The MTC identifies children who need extra support so schools can provide it before Year 5. It does not affect secondary school applications or any form of selection.
Does my child need to know division for the MTC?
No. The MTC only tests multiplication — not division facts. Your child will be asked questions like “6 × 7 = ?” and nothing else.
Can my child practise the MTC at home?
Yes. Out of School provides timed mock tests and daily times table homework that replicate the real MTC format, accessible from any device including tablets and phones.
Which times tables come up most in the MTC?
The 6, 7, 8, 9, and 12 times tables appear more frequently in the MTC, as specified by the DfE. These are the ones to focus on most — Out of School automatically weights practice toward them.
When should my child start preparing for the MTC?
Ideally from the start of Year 4. Building fluency takes time — daily practice from September gives children the best chance of scoring well by June. Starting in the spring term still helps but leaves less time to work on the harder tables.