Times tables 2 to 12
Year 4 statutory fluency for all multiplication facts up to 12×12. Tested by the MTC (Multiplication Tables Check) in Year 4.
Year 4 ends with the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC): 25 questions in 6 minutes covering 2× to 12×. Fluent recall is the target. Strategies (commutativity, near doubles, ×9 finger trick) help build the missing facts.
Worked examples
7 × 8 = 56. The single fact most children forget. Useful: ‘Five, six, seven, eight = 56 = 7 × 8.’
9× finger trick: hold up 10 fingers, fold the n-th one for n×9; left of fold = tens, right = ones.
Square numbers (e.g. 7×7=49) are worth memorising — they appear repeatedly in algebra.
Frequently asked questions
How fast for the MTC?
Less than 6 seconds per question (25 in 6 minutes including transitions). Daily 5-minute drills are more effective than weekly long sessions.
Which facts are hardest?
6×8, 7×8, 6×7, and the 9 times above 9 (e.g. 11×9). Focus on these once 2/5/10/11 are solid.