Our data suggests that the more children use Time Tables Rock Stars, the higher their MTC score will be. In the graph below, you can see data collected during our Officially Unofficial MTC in 2022.
A school's experience:
Watch how pupils at Granard Primary School used TTRS over a year and saw the impact in their MTC scores!
Impact on a National Scale!
From 85,000 year 4 pupils who took part in 2022, the main conclusion to draw is that as time spent playing on TT Rock Stars in year 4 increases, the average score on the OUMTC also increases.
So how much do they need to play to get 25/25?
Drawing on the data in the graph above, those who played more than an average of 13 minutes per school week in year 4, scored 22/25 or more and to get full marks seems to take an average of 10 hours 36 minutes over year 4, which equates to
⭐21 minutes⭐ per school week from September to May inclusive.
Below is a rough monthly guide on how we at Maths Circle might prepare for the MTC. Please remember this is a recommendation and not set in stone. You know your class and their needs so please feel free to use this how you wish!
How can I track progress and identify students in need of extra support?
The Stats area of TTRS is a great way to identify students who might need some extra support with learning their times tables.
Go to Stats > click on a Class > Fluency > scroll down to 'Pupil Average per Table'
Here you will be able to set a speed threshold (using the table pass speed slider) and see (for each times table) which children's average response times are faster or slower than the time specified.
Setting the threshold at 6 seconds will allow you to see which children may not be able to answer an MTC question within the time allowed by the test. You will also be able to quickly see which times table they would need to practise.
Can I track progress with the paper version of TTRS?
Yes! You can conduct a baseline which is found within each worksheet pack - data can be quickly uploaded onto the site to view progress.
To see an analysis of paper data, go to the paper section on the left hand side > click data > select a class and tables pack.
Where can I see Soundcheck results?
Soundcheck is our MTC simulator, so will give you a good idea of how pupils will perform on the real thing.
To see class and individual data, go to Stats > select a Class > Soundcheck.
This feature is part of the Stats Bolt on.
How can I help children achieve a higher score?
Play more Times Tables Rock Stars
Our data suggests that the longer children spend playing Times Tables Rock Stars, the higher their MTC score will be. Therefore, finding a little more time in the school day to allow children to play would be beneficial. This may be during maths lessons, or as an additional intervention.
Use the same device for the MTC and TTRS
It will also be important to let the children get used to the device they will be using for the MTC. Whilst the check is testing tables knowledge, it is also testing the children's ability to quickly type in their answers.
Therefore, if your pupils are going to be completing the MTC on a tablet, make sure they play TTRS on the same tablet.
Set times tables homework with Sessions
Setting sessions homework is also a good way to increase the amount of time children spend playing TTRS. It can also help raise the profile of times tables with parents and carers. Sessions also make it easy to see which children have been practising at home, meaning it is easier to see who might need additional support.
Ensure all tables are switched on
By ensuring all the tables are toggled on for all pupils on the Set Tables page, our algorithm can better personalise the questions that each student practises in the Garage and Arena. For example, if one pupil answers 8 x 7, 7x 5 and 6x9 slower than other questions, they will be asked variations on these questions until their speeds improve to the same level as others. The algorithm then scans for the next set of slowest questions for the student to focus on.
Use small group work to target support where it is needed most
Once you have identified who would benefit from additional support, a regular small group would be a great way to secure times tables knowledge. For guidance on how a small group session could be run, have a look at our guide below.
In conclusion, start practising early, let the children become familiar with the way the MTC will ask questions, and keep a close eye on their data with the tools in Stats.
More than anything, it is really important to keep things in perspective. Pupils' lives won't be governed by the result but they will be affected, possibly in the long-term, by grown-ups around them who are raising the stakes.