Speed Drills: Number and Times Tables Set 2
Speed Drills: Number and Times Tables Set 2 is a strictly timed set of rapid-recall questions covering multiplication and division facts up to 12 x 12, squares, doubling and halving. It builds on Set 1 by testing the same facts at greater speed and in less predictable order, matching the very short, mental-only calculation sections used in GL Assessment and CEM 11+ papers.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Practise times tables and their matching division facts to automatic, instant recall, rather than working them out from scratch each time.
- When a fact does not come instantly, derive it from one you do know well, for example finding 8 x 7 from double 7 x 4, rather than pausing blankly.
- Work through the questions in order at a steady pace, but skip any fact you are stuck on and come back to it once the easy ones are done.
- Use doubling and halving to speed up calculations involving even numbers, and use the 10-times fact to speed up 9-times and 11-times questions.
- Say or write only the final answer during a drill, since working shown for a two-second recall fact wastes valuable time.
- After the drill, quickly check any answers you were unsure of by working them out a second way.
Worked example
Work out 9 x 7 as quickly as possible, showing the mental shortcut you would use in a speed drill.
- Recognise that 9 x 7 is one group of 7 less than 10 x 7.
- Work out 10 x 7 = 70.
- Subtract one group of 7: 70 - 7 = 63.
- Final answer: 63.
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q16 x 8 = ?Show answer
Answer: 48
Q2144 / 12 = ?Show answer
Answer: 12
Q37 x 9 = ?Show answer
Answer: 63
Q413 x 4 = ? (use 13 = 10 + 3)Show answer
Answer: 52 (10 x 4 = 40, 3 x 4 = 12, 40 + 12 = 52)
Q5Double 47.Show answer
Answer: 94
Q6Half of 96.Show answer
Answer: 48
Q712 x 12 = ?Show answer
Answer: 144
Q88 squared = ?Show answer
Answer: 64
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
A speed drill gives you 30 seconds to complete these four facts. Work out all four and write your answers in order: (a) 6 x 9, (b) 132 / 11, (c) 15 x 4, (d) 9 squared.
Show mark scheme
Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 4 available
Using known times-table facts rather than a written method, work out 24 x 6 by splitting 24 into 20 + 4, showing each step.
Show mark scheme
Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 3 available
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the speed drills: number and times tables set 2 worksheet pack - 17 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.
This topic is chapter 14 of 11+ Maths Workbook 1, the whole course as one free printable PDF.
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