7 Plus Times Tables: Essential Tips for Success

What Are 7 Plus Times Tables?

Times tables are a key component of the 7 Plus exam and play an important role in preparing your child for prep school entry. This is because good recall of times tables allows children to complete the written maths exam with speed and accuracy.  Speed is often a deciding factor in terms of success as the 7 Plus Maths exam is so time pressured. This particularly affects children at state school primaries who do not often practice tests. Of course, knowledge of times tables is also an important life skill that will benefit them throughout their GCSEs and A Levels and beyond in their career.

The 7 Plus exam sometimes includes a separate mental arithmetic section where children will need to apply their times tables knowledge quickly and accurately. Let’s take a closer look at how your child can master their times tables and how it fits into the 7 Plus preparation process.

Why Are Times Tables Important for the 7 Plus Exam?

Times tables are not just about memorising numbers. They are a fundamental part of your child’s mathematical foundation and are essential for understanding the relationships between numbers, patterns, and arithmetic operations. Here’s why they are so important for the 7 Plus exam:

• Multiplication & Division: Mastery of times tables allows children to easily multiply and divide numbers, both of which are key skills assessed in the 7 Plus exam and beyond
• Mental Arithmetic: There is sometimes mental arithmetic section in the Maths exam and being fluent in times tables is obviously key to success here
• Wordy questions: Knowledge of times tables underpins the ability to answer long written questions quickly and accurately
• Interviews: Mental arithmetic, including times tables are a growing part of 7 Plus interviews
• Confidence: Having a solid grasp of times tables boosts your child’s confidence in maths, making it easier for them to tackle more complex problems as they progress in their education.

What Times Tables Should My Child Know?

The 7 Plus exam often includes questions related to multiplication and division, so it’s important that your child is comfortable with the following times tables:

Year 1: 2, 5, and 10 Times Tables

By the end of Year 1, children should be able to recall the 2, 5, and 10 times tables confidently. These form the foundation of multiplication and are essential for progressing in maths.

Year 2: 3, 4, and 8 Times Tables

In Year 2, children should be able to recall the 3, 4, and 8 times tables. This sets the stage for more complex multiplication and division problems in the 7 Plus exam.

Year 3: Full 12 Times Tables

By Year 3, your child should be expected to know all times tables up to 12 x 12. While the 7 Plus exam is usually taken in Year 2, your child is still expected to be comfortable with these higher numbers to meet the academic standard of the exam.

Fun Ways to Help Your Child Learn Their 7 Plus Times Tables

Learning times tables doesn’t have to be boring! There are plenty of fun and engaging activities that will help your child build confidence in their multiplication skills. Here are some fun ideas to incorporate into your child’s study routine:

1. Pair Off: Practice Together

One effective method is paired practice, where you and your child practice times tables together. You can say the times tables out loud and correct each other’s mistakes, helping to build fluency and confidence. The more your child hears the correct answers and patterns, the quicker they will be able to recall them during the exam.

2. Use Everyday Objects to Reinforce Learning

Times tables don’t just have to stay on the page—they can be practiced with everyday objects around the house. Try these activities to make learning more hands-on:

• Counting coins: Use coins to represent numbers and practice multiplication. For example, ask your child how many 5p coins would make 30p. This is a great way to visualize multiplication.
• Card Battles: Create a “card battle” where you and your child flip cards and multiply them. For example, if you draw a 4 and they draw a 3, you both race to shout the correct answer (“12”)!

3. Make It a Memory Game

Memory games are a great way to help reinforce multiplication facts in a fun and interactive way. You can play a version of “I Went to Grandmother’s House” where your child has to add to a growing list of items using times tables. For example, if the first person says, “I went to grandmother’s house and I brought two apples,” the next person could say, “I went to grandmother’s house and I brought two apples and four pears,” and so on.

When Should My Child Know Their Times Tables?

It’s crucial that your child is prepared for their 7 Plus exam with all the times tables up to 12 x 12. While the exam is taken in Year 2, the expectation is that children will already have mastered all times tables by the start of Year 3. By setting clear learning milestones and incorporating regular practice into your routine, you can help ensure that your child will feel ready and confident when the 7 Plus exam rolls around.

How Mentor Education Can Help with 7 Plus Times Tables

At Mentor Education, we know that a great tutor can make a world of difference in helping a five or six-year-old grow confident and proficient in mental maths. In particular:

• Build a strong foundation in times tables up to 12 x 12.
• Develop speed and accuracy in multiplication and division.
• Practice times tables using fun and engaging activities.
• Prepare for the 7 Plus exam with timed drills and mental arithmetic exercises.

By offering gentle guidance, patience, and fun learning activities, our tutors create a warm and encouraging environment where a child feels safe to have a go and make mistakes. Our tutors work on times tables in a way that’s engaging and enjoyable, using games and challenges to help get times tables into your child’s long term memory.

At Mentor Education, we believe that the best 7 Plus tutors are those who not only teach but inspire. Our expert tutors bring a unique blend of Key Stage 1 teaching experience, a proven track record in 7+ entrance exam success, and an engaging, nurturing approach to each session. With their help, your child will build a strong academic foundation in key areas such as Mental Maths, learning with clear goals, interactive activities, and tailored lesson plans.

Our tutors are patient, positive, and highly adaptable, ensuring that each session meets your child’s individual needs. This supportive and encouraging environment helps boost confidence, allowing your child to master challenging concepts and develop a genuine curiosity for learning. By fostering a positive mindset, we equip children with the skills to face challenges head-on, nurturing resilience, problem-solving abilities, and critical thinking skills. We offer:

📌 One-to-one 7 Plus tutoring – Online & in-person, focused on comprehension skills.
📌 7 Plus comprehension holiday courses – Timed practice, feedback, and strategy training.

Find out more about our 7 Plus Tutoring Services today.

Final Thoughts on 7 Plus Times Tables

Mastering the 7 Plus times tables is one of the most important steps in preparing for the 7 Plus exam. With the right tools and regular practice, your child will not only feel confident during their exam but also gain a deeper understanding of multiplication and division. Remember, the more fun and interactive you make the process, the easier it will be for your child to remember their times tables.

For expert tutoring and additional support in preparing for the 7 Plus exam, don’t hesitate to contact Mentor Education today!

Get in Touch

Find out how Mentor can help you support you and your child as you approach the 7+. Get in touch today.

Contact Us

Contact Us