Times Tables by Year 4: What the Curriculum Expects and How to Get There

In 2020, the Department for Education introduced the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) — a statutory online assessment taken by all Year 4 pupils in England. The test consists of 25 questions, each with a 6-second time limit, covering all times tables from 2 to 12. Children are expected to answer fluently and quickly from memory — not to work the answers out on their fingers.

For many children, this is the first formal timed test they encounter, and the combination of time pressure and multiplication demands can cause significant anxiety. The good news is that with regular, well-structured practice, most children can achieve fluency well before Year 4.

What the MTC actually tests

The MTC is not designed to catch children out — it's designed to confirm that they have automatic recall of all multiplication facts up to 12×12. The questions are weighted: the harder tables (6, 7, 8, 9 and 12) appear more frequently than the easier ones (2, 5 and 10). Each test uses a random selection of 25 questions drawn from a pool that follows DfE weighting rules.

The important word is automatic. A child who can work out 7×8 by counting up in 7s will likely run out of time. The goal is for multiplication facts to be stored as retrievable memories, not calculations.

When to start practising

The National Curriculum introduces times tables progressively:

• Year 2: 2, 5 and 10 times tables
• Year 3: 3, 4 and 8 times tables
• Year 4: All tables up to 12×12, tested in the MTC

Many teachers recommend beginning to consolidate all tables from the start of Year 3, so that Year 4 is spent reinforcing rather than introducing. Children who arrive in Year 4 still working on the Year 2 tables have a steep hill to climb.

The most effective practice methods

Distributed practice over massed practice is the single most evidence-backed finding in memory research. Ten minutes of times tables practice every day produces significantly better retention than 70 minutes once a week. Frequency matters more than session length.

Retrieval practice — actively trying to recall an answer rather than passively reading or listening to it — is far more effective than flashcard review. The child should always attempt the answer before seeing it.

Timed practice is important precisely because the MTC is timed. Children who have only ever practised without time pressure can know their tables perfectly but still struggle with the 6-second limit. Introducing timed practice from Year 3 builds the automaticity needed for the real test.

Focus on the hard tables first — the 6, 7, 8 and 9 times tables cause most difficulties and account for a disproportionate number of MTC questions. Prioritising these in practice sessions pays dividends.

Common mistakes in times tables practice

• Practising in order (1×7, 2×7, 3×7...) builds sequence memory, not fact retrieval — always mix up the order
• Singing times tables songs is great for memorisation but doesn't build the rapid recall the MTC requires
• Stopping practice once a child "knows" a table — without ongoing reinforcement, facts fade within weeks
• Practising only the tables the child already finds easy — focus time on the hard ones

The free times tables check tool

We've built a free MTC practice tool that mirrors the exact format of the real test — 25 questions, DfE-weighted distribution, timed. It tracks scores over time so children can see their progress. No login or account required.

Try the free Times Tables Check →