Multiplication tables check: IT guidance

Preparing1. for check administration Introduction

It is a statutory requirement for schools to administer the multiplication tables check (MTC). (MTC).

Section 2 of this guidance is designed to help IT support staff who manage the school’s ICT network prepare for check administration. We recommend reviewing thistechnical guidancerequirements in advance of the MTC service opening, to ensure sufficient time to resolve any compatibility issues if they occur.  occur.

Section 3 recommends actions that IT support staff and check administrators should completetake checks to ensure pupil devices are ready before pupils take the MTC.  check.

YouSchools can findaccess importantthe MTC datesservice to enable access arrangements and allow pupils to familiarise themselves with the check from Monday 8 April.

The official check administration window in section2024 is 2 ofweeks, from Monday 3 June to Friday 14 June.

Schools can use the 2025following keyweek, stageMonday 2:17 assessmentJune andto reportingFriday arrangements21 (ARA).June, to administer the check to any pupils who were absent during the first 2 weeks or in case of any delays to the administration of the check due to technical difficulties.

2. Essential technical requirements requirements

The MTC service is intended for use on modern operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, iOS* and Android. It is suitable for desktop, laptop and tablet devices. Where pupil devices have restrictions applied to limited trusted websites, you should ensure the MTC service links below are accessible.

*The MTC will onlynot work on iOS16,iOS12, or moreearlier, recent versions, due to the age and limitations of this technology. If your iPad still uses an older operating system, we recommend updating it to the latest operating system available.

MTC service firewall requirements requirements

School staff will access the MTC service via via DfE Sign-in.

Where pupil devices have restrictions applied to limited trusted websites, you should ensure the MTC service links below are accessible.

The links below are included to support early accessibility checks,checks and you should ensure they are in your network’s list of allowed websites:  websites:

• once staff have signed in to DfE Sign-in, they will select the ‘multiplication tables check’* from their list of ‘services’. This will direct to: to: https://admin.multiplication-tables-check.service.gov.uk  

• pupils will access the ‘try it out’ check and official check at: at: https://pupil.multiplication-tables-check.service.gov.uk

*If you access the ‘multiplication tables check’ service link before itMonday opens8 April you will see a service closure message. This is correct and means your early accessibility check is successful.

Supporting services

The MTC service and pupil application needs to communicate with supporting services.  services.

It is important that you ensure the following services are within your school’s allowed list:  list:

• https://auth.multiplication-tables- check.service.gov.uk – for  pupil authentication

• *.windows.net – for data submission  
  submission

• *.msecnd.net – for Microsoft Telemetry, which is mandatory to support users 

  users

• *.googletagmanager.com – for Google analytics,Analytics, which is optional and can be switched on or off in the cookie policy

YouIT support staff should also enable the school’s network and internet browser to communicate securely over the ‘TLS 1.2’ protocol and ensure secure browsing over HTTPS is permitted – by default, this usually takes place on port 443.

Recommended browsers

The MTC washas been designed to support common browsers, such as:  as:

• Chrome 

  Chrome

• Safari 

  Safari

• Edge 

  Edge

• Brave 

  Brave

• Firefox

Other browsers may also work with the MTC service, but we suggest you use the ‘try it out’ checkcheck, available from Monday 8 April, to ensure your browser can communicate with the supporting services listed above. We recommend that you update your chosen browser to the latest version before pupils take the official check in June.

The MTC will not work on Internet Explorer due to the age and limitations of this browser technology. If your device still uses Internet Explorer, we recommend updating to Microsoft Edge or one of the other recommended browsers that are free to download.

Browser versions can commonly be identified in the ‘Help’ section in your browser settings.

Using the audio version of the check: question reader

Check administrators can enable an audio version of the check as an access arrangement to meet a pupil’s specific needs. TheAs audio version of the checkpupil application is not designed to be compatible with thethird timingparty ofscreen readers, the questions,audio asversion thewas pupilspecifically applicationdesigned isto notbe compatible with thirdthe partytiming screenof readers.the questions. However, the MTC audio will not work on any version of Internet Explorer or old versions of Microsoft Edge, before version 14, due to the technical limitations of these browsers.

New browsers may also offer text-to-speech services that are an inbuilt option or downloadable extension. These services should be switched off or disabled, to ensure they do not disrupt the pupil’s check.

3. Recommended actions before check administration

We recommend IT staff and check administrators complete the activities below to ensure all pupil devices are prepared for the check and to minimise the risk of disruption.

CheckAre your devices are ready to useuse?

You should ensure that: that:

• all devices and hardware with a battery are fully charged 

  charged

• all devices are tested to ensure there are no issues – for example,example: slow running, sticky or missing keys on the keyboard 

  keyboard

• you have disabled standby, hibernate or sleep mode 

  mode

• if the device requires a mouse, it is tested to ensure it is fully charged and functioning with the device 

  device

• if using a keyboard, all number keys work correctly 

  correctly

• if using a keyboard with a number pad, the number lock is switched on 

  on

• if using the audio version of the check, headphones are tested to ensure the sound is at an appropriate level for the pupil 

  pupil

• if using the QR code on the printed PIN slips to access the pupil app URL, your device has a working camera with a minimum resolution of 480*320 pixels

UpdateIs your operating system up to date?

You should ensure pupil devices have recently been updated with the latest operating system and that there are no scheduled or automatic updates on the day of the check.

SecureIs your internet connectionworking?

You should ensure your internet connection is working and stable at the start of each day you plan to administer checks.

PrepareIs your internet browser ready to use?

You should: should:

• close any unnecessary tabs on the browser and any other applications being used by the device, before the pupil starts taking the check  

  check

• ensure the browser is not in privacy or incognito mode  

  mode

• ensure cookies are enabled  

  enabled

• ensure your browser has local storage access enabled  

  enabled

• ensure pop-up blocker software is disabled

4. Further supportassistance

For further IT support,assistance, you can contact the national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013.

When contacting the helpline, they will ask for information about your device to assist troubleshooting. Please ensure you can confirm the:

• type of device you are using – for example,example: desktop, laptop, tablet or iPad 

  iPad

• operating system – for example,example: Windows, macOS, iOS or Android 

  Android

• browser you are using – for example,example: Edge or Chrome 

  Chrome

• issue with as much detail as possible – if possible, we recommend taking a screenshot

For information about accessing accessing DfE Sign-in, including how to manage users, select DfEthe Sign-in ‘Help’ page available when you are signed inin. or ask the DfE Sign-in help assistant. If required, you can also submit a a ‘contact us’ form.

Further information about the MTC is available in section 910 of the 2025the 2024 key stage 2: assessment and reporting arrangements (ARA).

Information about administering the check is available in the the MTC administration guidance.