How to use the mental math test
- Pick a difficulty and press Start. You have 60 seconds.
- Type the answer to each question. As soon as it's right, the next question appears.
- Stuck? Press Skip question to see the answer and move on. Skipped questions don't count.
- When the time is up, you see how many you got right and your speed per minute.
What each level asks
| Difficulty | Questions |
|---|---|
| Easy | Adding and taking away with numbers up to 20 |
| Medium | Adding and taking away up to 100, and times tables up to 10 × 10 |
| Hard | Adding and taking away up to 1,000, times tables up to 12 × 12, and division with whole-number answers up to 12 |
Answers are always whole numbers of 0 or more: take-aways never go below zero, and divisions always come out exactly.
Worked example
Jo plays on medium and gets 24 questions right in the 60 seconds, skipping 2.
Speed = correct answers ÷ minutes = 24 ÷ 1 = 24 per minute
The skipped questions don't add to or take away from the score.
Tips for quicker mental math
- Add in parts. For 47 + 38, add 40 + 30 = 70, then 7 + 8 = 15, then 70 + 15 = 85.
- Take away by counting up. For 92 − 57, count up from 57 to 60 (3), then from 60 to 92 (32): the answer is 35.
- Use the times table you know. 9 × 7 is 10 × 7 = 70 minus 7 = 63.
- Turn division into times tables. For 84 ÷ 7, ask "7 times what is 84?" The answer is 12.
Frequently asked questions
Why doesn't it ask for Enter?
Each answer is checked as you type, so the next question comes up the moment you're right. That saves time and keeps the test about the maths, not the keyboard.
Can I use it to practise for a job test?
It's good practice for quick sums, but job and school tests vary a lot. Check the test's own guidance for the kinds of questions it asks.
Is my score saved?
Only while the page is open. We don't use cookies or browser storage, so it's forgotten when you close or reload the page.