GL Assessment Style Maths Speed Section 1
The GL Assessment maths paper often includes a speed-style section of short, calculation-only items with almost no reading, designed to test whether core number facts are so well rehearsed a pupil can answer within a few seconds rather than working every step out from scratch. Section 1 concentrates on the most basic instant-recall facts: times tables and their related division facts, number bonds to 10, 100 and 1000, and simple fraction, decimal and percentage equivalents such as halves, quarters and tenths.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Recognise this section by its format: short bare calculations or single facts with almost no wording, not worded problems.
- Answer instantly recalled facts, such as times tables to 12 x 12, doubles, halves and number bonds to 10 and 100, the moment you read them.
- For anything not instantly known, use the fastest mental method rather than a written column method, such as bridging through 10 or partitioning into tens and units.
- Convert common fractions to their decimal and percentage equivalents from memory (a half = 0.5 = 50%, a quarter = 0.25 = 25%, a tenth = 0.1 = 10%, a fifth = 0.2 = 20%) rather than dividing them out.
- Work through the section in order the first time, marking anything not immediately known, then return to those items with any remaining time.
- Never leave a question blank; if truly unsure, write your best estimate rather than nothing.
- Practise the same core facts daily in short bursts, since this section rewards rehearsed recall over reasoning.
Worked example
Answer each part as quickly as possible: (a) 7 x 8 (b) 100 - 37 (c) 3/4 as a percentage (d) half of 96.
- (a) Recall the 7 or 8 times table directly: 7 x 8 = 56.
- (b) Bridge through 100: 37 to 40 is 3, and 40 to 100 is 60, so 100 - 37 = 60 + 3 = 63.
- (c) Recall that a quarter = 25%, so three quarters = 3 x 25% = 75%.
- (d) Halve 96 by splitting it into 80 + 16: half of 80 = 40, half of 16 = 8, so half of 96 = 40 + 8 = 48.
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q19 x 6Show answer
Answer: 54
Q2144 divided by 12Show answer
Answer: 12
Q3What must be added to 68 to make 100?Show answer
Answer: 32
Q4Write 3/10 as a decimal.Show answer
Answer: 0.3
Q5Double 47.Show answer
Answer: 94
Q6What is one fifth of 60?Show answer
Answer: 12
Q78 x 9Show answer
Answer: 72
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
A speed section asks the following four questions in a row: (a) 6 x 7 (b) 81 divided by 9 (c) what must be added to 45 to make 100? (d) write 7/10 as a percentage. Give all four answers.
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A pupil has 90 seconds to answer 10 instant-recall questions before the section moves on. Each question takes an average of 7 seconds to answer once the fact is known, but working out an unknown fact from scratch takes an average of 22 seconds. (a) How many seconds does it take to answer all 10 questions if the pupil instantly recalls 8 of them and has to work out the other 2 from scratch? (b) Does the pupil finish within the 90-second limit, and by how many seconds?
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Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the gl assessment style maths speed section 1 worksheet pack - 6 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
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