Using and handling Maths is a very important skill - one that we all need. It is important for you to encourage your children to think of themselves as mathematicians who can reason and solve problems.

A great deal of mathematical learning takes places during Years 7 to 9. The SATs tests are only a 'snapshot' of what pupils learn during this time in school.

Today, Maths is more about understanding and dealing with the concepts or ideas and less about doing as many sums as possible in the shortest time. Many of the problems that are set in the SATs, test your child's ability to think as well as their ability to calculate accurately - this is particularly true of the higher level papers.

Key Points

1. Maths at this age, is often done as part of time-tabled homework. Make sure your son or daughter has somewhere to work that is reasonably quiet, where they are comfortable and where there aren't too many distractions!
2. Check homework diaries, if the school provides them, so that you know how much has to be done and when it has to be done.
3. It can become harder to help your child with individual Maths problems as they move through secondary school - particularly if you have trouble with Maths yourself - but your attitude should always be positive and patient. Encourage your child to think through a problem, double checking any answers if necessary.
4. If your child is having difficulty, make sure they understand the question. May be they have read it wrongly or misinterpreted what is being asked. Ask him/ her to explain how they think the problem should be solved. Their answer might help you discover if your child needs help with the procedures (working out how to tackle the problem), handling the numbers (multiplying, dividing, adding or subtracting) or understanding the the concept and ideas behind the questions.

5. Try to avoid taking your child out of school during term time. The steps in Maths are like building blocks. You need good foundations to build on. If your son/ daughter misses one or two lessons at the start of a new topic, it can cause problems later. Absence because of illness is unavoidable but you should encourage your son/ daughter to ask the class teacher what they have missed and use friends' books to catch up.
6. If you feel your son/ daughter is experiencing a great deal of difficulty and it is causing distress, then contact the school. They may be aware of the problems and may be dealing with them, but they will also advise you what you can do at home.
7. Use computers, CD-ROMs, games, calculators or other resources. These all add to the fun of learning.
8. There are many ways that you can encourage the practical use of Maths at home without making it seem like Maths! Handling pocket money, shopping, using bus and railways timetables, reading and analysing sports tables, measuring ingredients for cooking are just a few examples.

The Exercises

The questions are graded so that the easiest questions are first. Remember this Key Stage covers three school years so you should not expect your child to be able to tackle all the questions if they are in Years 7 or 8.

At this age, pupils are often put into Maths sets according to their ability. The SATs reflect this and are graded into four ability levels - levels 3 - 5, 4 - 6, 5 - 7 and 6 - 8. Pupils are entered for the most appropriate test that matches their ability. If your child is in a higher Maths set, they will be expected to attempt level 5 - 7 or 6 - 8.

The practise exercises on this site are graded in the same way as the SATs. Pupils working in higher Maths sets should try all the example questions using the earlier levels as useful revision. Pupils working at the lower levels should attempt questions up to level 4 - 6 or beyond if possible.

Print out the questions to use away from the computer.

Go to the Exercises

The Answers

Go to the Exercises

Resources

Useful items of equipment include: A calculator, pencils, paper, graph paper

Books

Longmans Test Practice Kits For KS3 Maths - Pub. Longmans
ISBN 0-582-31572-7

Longmans Homework Handbook
For KS3 Maths - Pub. Longmans
ISBN 0-582-29328-6

CD-ROMs

SATs Tests: Maths - Europress

Test for Success: Maths - Dorling Kindersley

Suppliers and Publishers

LONGMANS
http://www.awl-he.com/studyguides/
Check out the Parents Page for advice and info about Test Kits.

Web Links

The BBC Learning Station
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/schools/
This is a service for children, teachers and parents at school and at home.

Maths Net
http://www.paston.co.uk/users/mathsnet/
Mathematics, education, information technology and some straightforward 'sums'.

You will find other Web Links on Maths Learning Exchange at BT Home Campus