The results of the key stage 2 multiplication tables check have been published today, revealing a rise in attainment.
In 2023, 29 per cent of pupils achieved full marks, up from 27 per cent in 2022.
And the average attainment score rose to 20.2 (out of 25 marks), which was equivalent to 80.8 per cent this year, up from 19.8 (79.2 per cent) in 2022.
The disadvantage gap for Year 4 pupils taking the test remained the same, but the gap between pupils with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) and their peers widened slightly.
The multiplication tables check (MTC) first became statutory last year, after the initial start date of June 2020 was disrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The purpose of the MTC is to determine whether Year 4 pupils can fluently recall multiplication tables.
However, it only assesses the instant recall of multiplication facts - division facts are not tested in the check.
The multiplication tables check: key findings
Here’s what we learned from the latest results.
- The mean average score of pupils who took the check was 20.2 out of 25 (80.8 per cent), up from 19.8 out of 25 (79.2 per cent) last year.
- In 2023, 29 per cent of pupils achieved full marks, up from 27 per cent in 2022, with full marks being the most common score.
- In 2023, the disadvantage gap remained at an average of 2.6 marks. The average mark of pupils known to be disadvantaged was 18.3 (73.2 per cent) in 2023, up from 17.9 (71.6 per cent) in 2022. Pupils not known to be disadvantaged achieved an average score of 20.9 (83.6 per cent) in 2023, up from 20.5 (82 per cent) in 2022.
- Boys once again outperformed girls in the times tables check. Boys received an average score of 20.4 out of 25 in 2023 (up from 20 in 2022), while girls achieved an average score of 19.9 this year, up from 19.6 in 2022.
- In 2022, the average score of pupils with an EHCP was 14.5 (58 per cent) compared with 20.7 (82.8 per cent) for their peers (a gap of 6.2). However, this gap grew to 6.4 in 2023: the average score of pupils with an EHCP was 14.7 (58.8 per cent) compared with 21.1 (84.4 per cent) for those with no special educational needs or disability.
- Native English speakers performed less well in the check than pupils with a first language other than English again this year. Of those pupils who took the check, the average score for those with a first language of English was 19.9 (79.6 per cent) while the average score for pupils with a first language other than English was 21.4 (85.6 per cent).
- London was once again the highest-performing region, with an average score of 21.1 (84.4 per cent), while the South West was the lowest-performing region with an average score of 19.7 (78.8 per cent).
Schools minister Damian Hinds said that mastering times tables by age 9 “will make sure children can tackle more complex maths later on in life, as well as help them with everyday adult activities”.
He added that the increase in attainment in the multiplication tables and phonics checks show “our reforms are driving up standards in our schools, hand in hand with the hard work of teachers”.
