The single biggest predictor of 11+ maths speed isn't problem-solving — it's instant recall of number facts. Times tables, doubles, halves, decimal-fraction equivalents.
Why?
Because every multi-step problem uses these facts as building blocks. A child who has to work out 7 × 8 each time loses seconds that compound across the paper.
Building fluency at home
Five-minute drills, not hour-long sessions. A simple parent-and-child quiz at the breakfast table beats any app. Practice now with the maths bank to see speed in context.
The "magic" fact for the 11+
If your child knows that ⅛ = 0.125 = 12.5%, they'll save 15 seconds on at least one question in every paper. Pattern-spot the equivalents that keep coming up.