mental math

Ma
KEY STAGE

2
LEVELS

2005

3– 5
2005

This booklet contains CONFIDENTIAL test questions.
It MUST BE KEPT SECURE. It should not be opened until the mental mathematics test is due to start on
Thursday 12 May. Early opening, up to one hour before the test starts, is permissible only if papers are needed for administrative purposes.

Mathematics tests

Mental mathematics test
Audiotape/CD transcript

This booklet contains a transcript of the key stage 2 mental mathematics test. It should be used ONLY in cases of audiotape or CD failure or for specific special arrangements outlined in the 2005 Assessment and reporting arrangements booklet for key stage 2.

Notes for teacher-read version
Instructions

In the event of an audiotape or CD failure, the test administrator should follow the instructions on pages 2 and 5.
1. Children should have only pens or pencils. They should not have rubbers, rulers, calculators or any mathematical equipment. Access to paper for working out answers is not allowed.
2. Ensure that each child has an answer sheet. Tell the children to write their name and school in the box at the top of the answer sheet.
3. Ensure the children understand that: they must complete the test on their own without copying or discussing questions with other children; they will be told how long they have to answer each question and that the time given will increase from 5 to 10, to 15 seconds as the test progresses through the three sections; for some of the questions, the information they will need is included in or beside the answer box on the pupil answer sheet; they are not allowed to use a calculator or any other mathematical equipment; if they want to change their answer, they should put a cross through their first answer. They are not allowed to rub out any answers; they should answer as many questions as they can. If they find a question too difficult, they should put a cross in the answer box, and wait for the next question; they should not write in the white boxes in the blue margins; they will not be allowed to ask any questions once the test has started.
4. The test administrator must have access to a clock or watch that measures accurately in seconds.
Instructions continued on page 5

2

Test questions
‘Now we are ready to start the test. For this group of questions, you will have 5 seconds to work out each answer and write it down.’

The questions
1

What is double thirty-four?

2

Subtract twenty-one from one hundred.

3

What is four multiplied by nine?

4

What is seven-tenths as a percentage?

5

Write half a million in figures.

‘For the next group of questions, you will have 10 seconds to work out each answer and write it down.’

6

Look at your answer sheet.
Circle the lowest temperature.

7

How many centimetres are there in half a metre?

8

What is the remainder when twenty-seven is divided by five?

9

Look at the table on your answer sheet.
How much more does a pen cost than a pencil?

10

Add together nought point two, nought point four and nought point six.

11

A packet of crisps costs thirty-two pence.
Josh buys three packets.
How much change does he get from one pound?

12

Look at your answer sheet.
Estimate the size of angle x.

13

Six times a number is three thousand.
What is the number?

14

How many millilitres are there in one and a quarter litres?

15

What is thirty times forty times ten?

‘For the next group of questions, you will have 15 seconds to work out each answer and write it down.’

16

Add together twenty-three and forty-eight.

17

Four biscuits cost twenty pence altogether.
How much do twelve biscuits cost?

18

What number is exactly halfway between one point one and one point two?

19

Write two factors of twenty-four which add to make eleven.

20

Multiply thirty-nine by seven.

‘Now put down your pen or pencil. The test is finished.’

3

Teacher’s reference copy of pupil answer sheet

Key stage 2 mathematics 2005 mental mathematics test
First name

Last name

School
Total
marks

Practice question
10

Time: 5 seconds

10

11

1

p

32p

11

°

12

1

12
2

2

3

9

4

3

%

4

5

5

13

14

Time: 10 seconds
6

2°C

ml

15

– 5°C
0°C

13

5°C

30

–1°C

15

Time: 15 seconds

cm

23

16

7

17
8

9

40

6

16
7

14

5

p

17

8

18

18

19

19

Prices pen ruler pencil £1.20
£0.75
£0.55

and

p

20

9

4

39

20

5. Read out the following script, using exactly these words:
Listen carefully to the instructions I am going to give you. When I have finished reading them, I will answer any questions. However, you will not be able to ask any questions once the test has begun.
I will start by reading a practice question. Then I am going to ask you 20 questions for the test.
On your sheet there is an answer box for each question, where you should write the answer to the question and nothing else. You should work out the answer to each question in your head, but you may jot things down outside the answer box if this helps you. Do not try to write down your calculations because this will waste time and you may miss the next question. For some of the questions, important information is already written down for you on the sheet.
I will read out each question twice. Listen carefully both times. You will then have time to work out your answer. If you cannot work out an answer, put a cross in the answer box. If you make a mistake, cross out the wrong answer and write the correct answer next to it. There are some easy and some harder questions, so don’t be put off if you cannot answer a question.
6. Stop and answer any questions that the children may have.
7. Read out the following:
Here is the practice question to show you what to do.
I will read the question twice, and you will have 5 seconds to work out the answer and write it in the answer box.
What is twenty take away three?
Repeat the question.
What is twenty take away three?
Wait five seconds (measured accurately using a clock or watch), then read out the following:
Now put down your pen or pencil.
8. Ensure that the children have correctly placed their answers to the practice question on their answer sheets. Remind the children that, for some questions, information is provided in or beside the answer box. When they are ready to begin the test, tell the children that you will not be able to answer any further questions, or interrupt the test, once you have started reading the questions.
9. The questions are given on page 3 of this booklet. The questions must be read out exactly as written.
Start by stating the question number, then read each question twice before leaving the 5, 10 or 15 second response time. These timings must be strictly adhered to.
10. At the end of the test, tell the children to put down their pens or pencils, then collect their answer sheets.

5

First published in 2005
© Qualifications and Curriculum Authority 2005
Reproduction, storage, adaptation or translation, in any form or by any means, of this publication is prohibited without prior written permission of the publisher, unless within the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency. Excerpts may be reproduced for the purpose of research, private study, criticism or review, or by educational institutions solely for educational purposes, without permission, providing full acknowledgement is given.
Produced in Great Britain by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority under the authority and superintendence of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office and Queen’s Printer of Acts of
Parliament.
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority is an exempt charity under Schedule 2 of the Charities
Act 1993.
Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
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London W1J 8QA www.qca.org.uk For more copies, contact:
QCA Publications, PO Box 29, Norwich NR3 1GN
(telephone 08700 606015; fax 08700 606017)
Order refs:
QCA/05/1360 (mark schemes pack)
QCA/05/1368 (mental mathematics test pack with audiotape)
QCA/05/1369 (mental mathematics test pack with CD)

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