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Maths QTS skills test

I'm really awful at Maths and am finding the QTS skills test mental maths really hard.
I just can't get the answers in 18 secs. I have practiced and revised but
even when I try the test with 25% extra time I just can't get the answers.
Does anyone have any advice on how I could speed up my Maths?

Reply 1

-Mathematician-

Learn times tables fluently up to 15 or so, learn square numbers up to around 10. From there just practice practice practice. Try doing the numbers round on countdown a good number of times.

Reply 2

davros

Original post by Hannah-star

I'm not familiar with the specifics of the QTS tests - what sort of things are you expected to be able to do as part of the mental maths section?

Reply 3

Hannah-star

Original post by -Mathematician-

Learn times tables fluently up to 15 or so, learn square numbers up to around 10. From there just practice practice practice. Try doing the numbers round on countdown a good number of times.

Thank you for your suggestion.

Have you done the QTS maths skills test?

Reply 4

-Mathematician-

I’ve not personally done it but I know of people who have and I’m familiar with the format of the test. With repetition you’ll use more familiar with the multiplications and divisions. This will enable you to do each sum quicker to get you under the time limit. As for unit conversions and things that come up; converting meters to centimetres and from pounds to pence needs to be second nature.

Reply 5

Hannah-star

Original post by davros

I'm not familiar with the specifics of the QTS tests - what sort of things are you expected to be able to do as part of the mental maths section?

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• addition, subtraction, multiplication and division

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• time

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• fractions, decimals and percentages

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• proportions involving fractions, decimals and percentages

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• measurement, including money, distance, area and volume

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conversions

Simple enough but the actual questions in the time limit of 18 secs is hard.

Reply 6