Mental Arithmetic provides rich and varied practice to develop pupils’ essential maths skills and prepare them for all aspects of the Key Stage 2 national tests. It may also be used as preparation for the 11+, and with older students for consolidation and recovery.

Tailored to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum for primary mathematics, each book contains 36 one-page tests designed to build confidence and fluency and keep skills sharp. Each test is presented in a unique three-part format comprising:

Part A: questions where use of language is kept to a minimum
Part B: questions using number vocabulary
Part C: questions focusing on one- and two-step word problems.
Structured according to ability rather than age, the series allows children to work at their own pace, building confidence and fluency. Two Entry Tests are available in the Mental Arithmetic Teacher’s Guide and on the Schofield & Sims website, enabling teachers, parents and tutors to select the appropriate book for each child. All the books can be used flexibly for individual, paired, group or whole-class maths practice, as well as for homework and one-to-one intervention.

Mental Arithmetic 5 is aimed at pupils in upper Key Stage 2 and covers the key subject areas of number, measurement, geometry, statistics, ratio and proportion, and algebra. Topics include negative numbers, composite numbers, BODMAS, simple formulae, converting units of measurement, finding unknown angles, unequal sharing and solving problems using line graphs. Three Progress Charts, together with four topic-based Check-up Tests, are also provided to monitor learning and identify any gaps in understanding. A separate accompanying answer book, Mental Arithmetic Book 5 Answers, contains correct answers to all the questions, making marking quick and easy. Online answers are also available on the Schofield & Sims website.