Multiplication tables check: IT guidance
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-03)

This guidance supports IT staff who manage the school's ICT network in preparation for check administration.

Preparing for check administration

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

We recommend reviewing this guidance before the MTC service opens to ensure sufficient time to resolve any compatibility issues, if they occur.

IT support staff and check administrators should complete the recommended actions within this guidance to ensure pupil devices are ready before pupils take the MTC.

You can find important MTC dates in the ‘Important dates’ section of the 2026 key stage 2 (KS2) assessment and reporting arrangements (ARA) (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-stage-2-assessment-and-reporting-arrangements-ara).

Essential technical 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.

The MTC will only work on iOS16, or more 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 available version.

MTC service firewall requirements

School staff will access the MTC service using DfE Sign-in (https://services.signin.education.gov.uk/).

Where pupil devices have restrictions applied, limiting access to trusted websites, you should ensure the MTC service links below are accessible. The following links are included to support early accessibility checks, and you should ensure they are in your network’s list of allowed websites:
- Once staff have signed into DfE Sign-in, they will select the ‘Multiplication tables check’ from their list of ‘Services’ – this will direct them to: https://admin.multiplication-tables-check.service.gov.uk (https://admin.multiplication-tables-check.service.gov.uk/)
- Pupils will access the ‘try it out’ check and official check at: https://pupil.multiplication-tables-check.service.gov.uk (https://pupil.multiplication-tables-check.service.gov.uk/)
If you access the ‘Multiplication tables check’ service link before it opens, you will see a service closure message. This is correct and means your early accessibility check is successful.

Allowing supporting services

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

It is important that you ensure the following services are within your school’s allowed list:
- *.windows.net – for data submission
- *.msecnd.net – for Microsoft Telemetry, which is mandatory to support users
- *.googletagmanager.com – for Google analytics, which is optional and can be switched on or off in the cookie policy
You 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 was designed to support common browsers, such as:
- Chrome
- Safari
- Edge
- Brave
- Firefox
Other browsers may also work with the MTC service, but we suggest you use the ‘try it out’ check 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 technology. If your device still uses Internet Explorer, we recommend updating to Microsoft Edge or one of the other recommended browsers above that are free to download.

You can usually identify your browser versions in the ‘Help’ section within your browser settings.

Using the audio version of the check (question reader)

The pupil application is not compatible with third party screen readers. However, check administrators can enable an audio version of the MTC, designed to work within the timings of the questions, as an access arrangement to meet a pupil’s specific needs.

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.

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.

Check your devices are ready to use

You should ensure that:
- all devices and hardware with batteries are fully charged
- all 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
- all devices are tested to ensure there are no issues – for example, slow running, sticky or missing keys on the keyboard
- you have disabled standby, hibernate or sleep mode
- if the device requires a mouse, it is tested to ensure it is fully charged and functioning with the device
- if using a keyboard, all number keys work correctly
- if using a keyboard with a number pad, the ‘NUM Lock’ is switched on
- if using the audio version of the check, headphones are tested to ensure the sound is at an appropriate level for the 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 480x320 pixels
Secure your internet connection

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

Prepare your internet browser

You should:
- close any unnecessary tabs on the browser and any other applications being used by the device, before the pupil starts taking the check
- ensure the browser is not in privacy or incognito mode
- ensure cookies are enabled
- ensure your browser has local storage access enabled
- ensure pop-up blocker software is disabled
- ensure any text-to-speech services are disabled
Further support

For further IT support, you can
- visit our MTC help centre (https://help.multiplicationtablescheckservice.education.gov.uk/hc/en-gb)
- use our virtual assistant (https://askonline.education.gov.uk/chatbot/davina?regional=true)
- contact us (https://help.multiplicationtablescheckservice.education.gov.uk/hc/en-gb/requests/new?ticket_form_id=) directly
If you are unable to find an answer to your question, you can contact the national curriculum assessments helpline on xx-xxxx-xxxx, selecting the option for MTC.

When contacting the helpline, they will ask for information about your device to help with troubleshooting. Please ensure you can confirm the:
- type of device you are using – for example, desktop, laptop, tablet or iPad
- operating system – for example, Windows, macOS, iOS or Android
- browser you are using – for example, Edge or Chrome
- issue with as much detail as possible – we recommend taking a screenshot
For information about accessing DfE Sign-in, including how to manage users, select DfE Sign-in ‘Help’ (https://help.signin.education.gov.uk/), which is available when you are signed in, or ask the DfE Sign-in virtual assistant (https://askonline.education.gov.uk/chatbot/davina). If required, you can also submit a DfE Sign-in ‘contact us’ form (https://help.signin.education.gov.uk/contact-us).

You can find more information about the MTC and how to administer it in the 2026 KS2 ARA (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-stage-2-assessment-and-reporting-arrangements-ara) and MTC administration guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/multiplication-tables-check-administration-guidance).