The exact sequence, question by question
The check runs on a school device — usually a laptop or tablet. There are three practice questions first (untimed) so the child gets used to the keypad. Then the real 25 begin. For each question:
- The question flashes on screen (e.g. "7 × 8 = ?").
- A 3-second reading window ticks down.
- A 6-second answer window opens. The child types on the on-screen keypad.
- Whether they answer or not, the check moves on. There's a short pause, then the next question.
Miss the window and the answer is locked in as whatever's been typed — usually blank. There's no going back.
Question mix and weighting
All tables from 2× to 12× can appear. The 1× table is excluded because it's trivial. Harder tables are weighted more heavily — expect more 7×, 8× and 12× than 2× or 5×. The DfE hasn't published exact weightings, but analysis of past checks suggests roughly:
- 2×, 5×, 10×: about 5 of the 25 questions.
- 3×, 4×: about 5 of the 25.
- 6×, 7×, 8×, 9×, 11×, 12×: about 15 of the 25.
That's why practice should be weighted heavily toward the 'hard six'.
Total length
Three practice questions plus 25 real ones plus the gaps between them comes to about five minutes. Add setup and log-in and the whole thing takes maybe 10 minutes of class time.
How schools use the score
- Individual scores (0–25) are reported to parents in the end-of-year report.
- School-aggregate data is sent to the DfE for national monitoring.
- Schools use scores to plan Year 5 support — pupils with low scores usually get short intervention groups.
- Scores are not used to rank or stream individual children, and don't affect secondary school placement.
Access arrangements
Children with recognised SEND can qualify for extended timing (up to 50% more per question), coloured overlays, or a scribe. Schools apply through the Standards and Testing Agency; parents can ask the SENCO about eligibility.
What can go wrong on the day
Technical issues (a laptop crashes, the internet drops) are handled by a school-level 'time-out' procedure and the child re-takes on a different day. If a child is ill, they can take the check on any day within the three-week window. If they miss the whole window with a valid reason, the school records them as absent — the check isn't sat later.