Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Times Tables Check Practice: Free Printable Quiz for Year 4
- ForYear 4
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Times Tables Check Practice is a free printable quiz for Year 4 (ages 8 to 9). Children beat the clock on eight tough multiplication facts. Each question is multiple choice with three answers, so children think, say their answer out loud and then circle it. Page 2 gives the grown-up notes, help ideas, a stretch idea and the answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children meet eight multiplication facts, each written as a question such as 7 x 8 = ?. Every question has three possible answers. A grown-up times the child with a phone. The child says the answer out loud first, then circles their choice. The facts come from the harder end of the tables, up to 12 x 12, so the sheet gives focused practice on the facts that most often catch children out.
- 7 x 8 = ?
- 6 x 9 = ?
- 12 x 11 = ?
- 9 x 8 = ?
- 4 x 12 = ?
- 11 x 6 = ?
- 7 x 7 = ?
- 12 x 8 = ?
Why times tables facts matter
Knowing multiplication facts by heart is called recall. When children can recall a fact straight away, they do not have to stop and work it out. That leaves more thinking space for harder maths, such as long multiplication, division, fractions and word problems. Quick recall also builds confidence, because children stop feeling that every sum is a struggle.
In England, children in Year 4 take the multiplication tables check, which tests recall of facts up to 12 x 12. It is taken on a screen at school. This sheet is paper based practice that supports it. Short, regular practice with spoken answers usually helps more than one long session.
Skills and curriculum link
- Times tables recall
- Speed
- Staying calm
- Reasoning about facts
- Checking answers
Tricks that help children remember
- Swap the orderMultiplication works in either order. Three groups of five and five groups of three give the same total. Knowing one fact gives you its partner for free, which halves what you need to learn.
- Double and double againMultiplying by 4 is the same as doubling, then doubling again. Try it with a small number first, like 4 x 3. Double 3, then double the result.
- Build from a fact you knowIf you know a fact, you can find the next one by adding one more group. Five groups of 6 plus one more 6 gives six groups of 6. Children can use this to rebuild a fact they have forgotten.
- Check with odd and evenAny number multiplied by an even number gives an even answer. Use this to rule out options that cannot be right before choosing.
Key words
- MultiplyFind the total of equal groups. 3 x 5 means three groups of five.
- ProductThe answer when you multiply two numbers together.
- MultipleA number you land on when you count in steps of a times table. 5, 10 and 15 are multiples of 5.
- FactorA number that you multiply to make another number. 3 and 5 are factors of 15.
- RecallRemembering a fact straight away, without working it out.
- Times tableA list of the multiples of one number, such as the 5 times table.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Ask a grown-up to time you with a phone. Answer out loud first, then circle your choice.
- Work through the sheet together the first time. Talk about each of the three choices.
- Check against the notes and answers on page 2. Cover them until everyone has finished.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar sheet builds confidence and speed.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Spend more time on the 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12 times tables. Say the whole fact out loud, as a full sentence, rather than just the answer. Do the facts you feel sure about first, then return to the harder ones.
To stretch confident children
Cover the three options and answer from memory, then uncover them to check. Next try the swap trick. If you know one fact, say its partner with the numbers the other way round. Explain to a grown-up why both give the same answer.
Make it a game
Race a parent. Both players answer the same questions aloud, and a third person or a phone keeps the time. Whoever gets the most right wins first choice of pudding. Swap roles and play again to beat your own score.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child adds the two numbers instead of multiplying them.
Try thisAsk, "How many groups, and how many in each?" Draw the groups as dots or use counters so the multiplying is clear.
Watch forA child picks the option that looks closest or most familiar without thinking.
Try thisCover the options first. Say the answer from memory, then look for it. This stops guessing from the choices.
Watch forA child rushes against the clock, gets worried and makes mistakes on facts they know.
Try thisSlow down and take a breath. Do a round with no timer first, then bring the timer back once the child feels calm.
Talk about it
- Which fact felt easiest, and why do you think that is?
- Which fact did you have to think about? What did you do to work it out?
- If you forget a fact, how could you build it from one you know?
- How does knowing a fact help you find its swap partner?
- Why did you rule out some of the choices before picking an answer?
- What would you like to do differently the next time you try the sheet?
Take it off the page
Clap and chant
Pick one times table. Say it in a steady rhythm with a clap on each answer. Speed up a little each time, then try going backwards.
Homemade fact cards
Write facts on small pieces of paper, with the answers on the back. Take turns to pick a card, say the answer, then turn it over to check.
Chalk jumps
Draw a row of squares outside and number them. Jump along in steps of a chosen times table and say each number you land on.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go, then let them lead. Ask them to say each answer out loud before circling. Praise effort and calm thinking, and talk about wrong answers without hurry. Short, regular practice works well.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher task, a homework task or a table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups, and it can be used as a team quiz.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider maths plan. It pairs well with chanting, games and everyday talk about groups and sharing. Because it is free to print, use it again for brothers and sisters, or as revision a few weeks later.
Where this fits in learning
Before this sheet, children learn to count in steps and meet the 2, 5 and 10 times tables, then the 3, 4 and 8 times tables. By Year 4 they work towards knowing all the facts up to 12 x 12, and the harder tables need the most practice.
After this, children use their fact recall in Years 5 and 6 for multiplying larger numbers, dividing, working with fractions and finding factors and multiples. The better they know their facts, the easier those later topics feel.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Times Tables Check Practice for?
It is written for Year 4 (ages 8 to 9), in Key Stage 2. It can also help older children who still need practice on the harder facts, or confident younger children who want a challenge.
- What will children practise?
Children practise recalling multiplication facts up to 12 x 12 quickly and accurately. This supports the Year 4 multiplication and division strand of the National Curriculum and prepares them for the multiplication tables check.
- How do I use it?
Print both pages and give page 1 to the child. A grown-up times them with a phone. The child answers out loud first, then circles their choice. Check against the answers on page 2 afterwards.
- What if it feels too hard?
Practise the 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12 times tables more often, and say each whole fact out loud. Try the sheet without the timer first. Once the facts feel steadier, add the clock back.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers and sisters, or for revision a few weeks later.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper, a pencil and a grown-up with a phone as a timer. The child works on paper, which gives eyes a rest and gets them speaking and thinking.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper, so it is quick and cheap to print at home or in school.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.