Multiplication tables check
Information and guidance about the multiplication tables check.
Following the publication of the Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report and the associated government response, future assessment arrangements are under review in line with the relevant recommendations. Assessment arrangements for the academic year 2025 to 2026 will remain unchanged.
Overview of the multiplication tables check
The multiplication tables check (MTC) is statutory for all year 4 pupils registered at state-funded maintained schools, special schools or academies, including free schools, in England.
The purpose of the MTC is to determine whether pupils can recall their times tables fluently up to 12, through a set of 25 timed questions. This skill is essential for future success in mathematics, and the check will help schools identify pupils who have not yet mastered this and provide additional support.
In 2026, schools must administer the MTC in the 2-week period between Monday 1 June and Friday 12 June. Schools can use the following week, from Monday 15 June to Friday 19 June, to administer it to any pupils who were absent during the first 2 weeks or in case of any check administration delays due to technical difficulties.
Schools must provide a reason for any pupils who do not participate in the check, and submit a headteacher’s declaration form, within the MTC service.
Schools can access their pupils’ results on the MTC service from Monday 22 June. In November, the Department for Education also publishes a statistical release covering national MTC attainment.
You will find more information and guidance for administering the MTC on this collection page.
MTC service and pupil application
Schools can access the MTC service, to prepare for the 2026 check, using DfE Sign-in from Monday 27 April.
Schools must generate a school password and individual pupil PINs within the MTC service before pupils are able to sign in to access the check using the pupil application:
Contact us
If you have a question about the MTC and you can’t find the answer in the guidance below, you can:
- visit our MTC help centre
- use our virtual assistant
- contact us directly
If you are still unable to get the information you need, you can contact the national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013, selecting the option for MTC.
Assessment and reporting arrangements
Check administration
Information for parents
Privacy notice
Assessment framework
Updates to this page
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Updated dates for the academic year 2025 to 2026.
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Added additional support methods if you need help with the MTC.
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Added link to DfE's published statistics on MTC attainment
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Updated dates for the academic year 2024 to 2025.
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Updated dates for the academic year 2023 to 2024.
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Dates updated for 2023
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Updating for the statutory academic year
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Updated for the 2021/22 academic year.
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Multiplication tables check administration guidance added to Guidance.
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First published.