Times tables is a personalised practice feature in Sparx Maths that helps students build fluency and confidence with multiplication facts. It is a task that can be practised independently at any time or can be added as part of compulsory homework.

How students access time tables

Via compulsory homework

When you set a times tables tasks for students as part of their compulsory homework, it will show alongside the other tasks in their compulsory homework
To complete this task, students will need to answer 50 questions correctly
Any time it takes to complete times tables tasks will be in addition to the homework length that you've set for the class/homework, but it usually only takes students a few minutes to complete.
Students will be notified when they have completed the compulsory 50 questions, but they can continue to work on times tables after this if they choose.

Via Independent Learning

Students can choose to practice times tables at any time by clicking on 'Independent Learning' and then choosing 'Times tables practice'.
This is especially useful for students who are set to optional-only homework.
If students have outstanding times tables tasks in their compulsory homework, Sparx Maths will encourage them to complete those tasks before practicing times tables in Independent Learning

How to set times tables tasks in compulsory homework

Enabling times tables for a single class

Go to 'Management' → 'Class Manager'
Click the pencil next to the class that you want to work with
In the 'Homework details' section → 'Times tables task in homework' drop-down, select 'On'
Click 'Save'

Enabling times tables for multiple classes at once

Go to 'Management' → 'Class Manager'
Tick the classes that you want to edit
Click 'Edit selected classes' at the top of the screen
Change the 'Times tables task in homework' drop-down to 'On'
Click 'Save'

Enabling times tables for a single student

If you change a student's times tables settings, these will always override the settings for the student's class. So if the student's time tables setting is 'Off' and the class is 'On', they won't be set a times tables task.

Go to 'Management' → 'Student Manager'
Click the pencil next to the student that you want to work with
In the 'Homework details' section → 'Times tables task in homework' drop-down, select 'On'
Click 'Save'

Enabling times tables for multiple students at once

If you change students' times tables settings, these will always override the settings for the students' class. So if the students' time tables setting is 'Off' and the class is 'On', they won't be set a times tables task.

If you want to change times tables settings for every student in a class, see the 'Enabling times tables for a single class' section of this article instead.

Go to 'Management' → 'Student Manager'
Tick the students that you want to edit
Click 'Edit selected students' at the top of the screen
Change the 'Times tables task in homework' drop-down to 'On'
Click 'Save'

How times tables works

Initial assessment ('100 Club Check')

Students have to complete an initial '100 Club Check' to assess their level.

This gives an indication of which tables they are able to fluently and confidently answer in good time (under 6 seconds).
Based on the assessment, students will have the option to play games to complete their future times tables tasks.

Students can retake the 100 Club Check periodically to update their level.

If a student has recently completed a 100 Club Check, they won't be able to complete another for a while. They can still complete their homework task by playing times tables games.

100 Club levels

10 Club	10 times tables (60-second timer)
20 Club Bronze	Early 2 times tables (60-second timer) Progressed once most are answered in less than 10 seconds, and all are correct.
20 Club Silver	Early 2 times tables (10-second timer) Progressed once most are answered in less than 6 seconds, and all are correct.
20 Club Gold	Early 2 times tables (6-second timer) Progressed once all questions are correct within the timer.
30 Club	Late 2 times tables and early 5 times tables
40 Club	11 times tables
50 Club	Some 3 times tables and 5 times tables
60 Club	Remaining 5 times tables, later 3 times tables and squares
70 Club	Easier 9 times tables and 7 times tables, harder 4 times tables
80 Club	Harder 6 times tables, 7 times tables, 8 times tables and 9 times tables
90 Club	Hardest tables below 10 and easy 12 times tables
100 Club	Harder 12 times tables
Speed Challenge	The student will be given a fast timer, which increases in speed each time they get a perfect score.
Full Knowledge	Once they have achieved a perfect score with the fastest timer (3 seconds), their club will be displayed as Full Knowledge.

Target tables

Once students complete their initial assessment, they will be shown target tables that they need to practice.
They will also see tasks that are available, which will ask them a variety of questions designed to teach and practise these targets, whilst also mixing in some short, engaging games.
Once students have practised enough, they will be given a new assessment, where they have the opportunity to move up in their 100 club and generate new targets to practice.

Tokens

When students first start on times tables, they will have access to a couple of default games.
Some games will be locked until students have earned a certain number of tokens.

Students earn 1 token if they answer 30 correct answers in a day.
They can only earn 1 token a day - this is to encourage regular times tables practice throughout the week.
The more students play times tables games, the more choice of games they will have.

Monitoring students' times tables progress

Via times tables insights

The times tables insights page shows you each student's 100 Club level; the amount of XP they've earned through times tables completion; and their target times tables. To access the times tables insights page:
1. Go to 'Insights'
2. Click on the 'Times tables insights' button at the top of the screen

Via the times tables report

The downloadable times tables report shows you year group and class-level progress; individual student progress history; students who may be being "held back" by their times tables ability. To download the times tables report:
1. Go to 'Reporting' → 'Downloadable reports'
2. Under the 'Times tables report' section, click on 'Download report'

Frequently asked questions

How long does the times tables task take?

The task typically takes just a few minutes to complete as part of the student's homework. Students need to answer 50 questions correctly to complete the task.

Can I turn the times tables task in homework off for one student, even if it's on for their class?

Yes, even if times tables is on for a class, you can turn it off for an individual student by going to Student Manager, finding the student and editing their details so that it's off.

Can students practice times tables outside of their homework?

Yes, students can access Times Tables practice anytime through Independent Learning, even if they are set to Optional Only homework.

Can I turn off the timer in times tables for SEND students?

Yes, we can disable the timer for the games portion of times tables for students with special educational needs. However, the timer will remain active for the 100 Club assessment. Please contact us using the 'Help & Support' option in your Sparx Maths site to request this for individual students.

Can I reset a student's times tables history?

If a student has had help on times tables and you wish to reset their history, you can do this:

Visit the Insights Page
Select the class
Click on Times Tables Insights top right
Click on the Reset button next to the student's level and targets.

Please note once you reset a student, you cannot undo this.

Key concepts of a Sparx Maths homework

Independent Learning

Setting or changing the default homework settings for a class

Changing homework for an individual student

Accessing and interpreting reports

Times tables explained