The Learning Method
SpeedSum is built on a well-established principle in educational research: retrieval practice under mild time pressure accelerates fact fluency. When children answer arithmetic questions against the clock, they practise retrieving number facts from memory — not working them out each time. Over repeated sessions, those facts become automatic.
This matters because automaticity in basic number facts (knowing that 6 × 7 = 42 instantly) frees up working memory for harder problems — fractions, algebra, long division. Children who arrive at Year 7 with fluent recall have a measurable advantage over those who still count on their fingers.
SpeedSum sessions are designed to be short and frequent rather than long and occasional. Five to ten minutes per day, every day, delivers better results than an hour once a week. The 90-second challenge format is intentional — it is long enough to practise, short enough to maintain focus, and fast enough to feel like a game rather than homework.
Adaptive Difficulty
SpeedSum does not give every child the same questions. Each game mode has three difficulty levels — Beginner, Intermediate, and Expert — that target different curriculum stages:
- Beginner — KS1 level. Simple addition and subtraction within 20. Single-digit multiplication. Ideal for Years 1–2 or children building confidence.
- Intermediate — Lower KS2. Two-digit arithmetic, times tables up to 10×10, and mixed operations. Ideal for Years 3–4.
- Expert — Upper KS2. Full 12×12 times tables, harder division, multi-step problems, and mixed operations. Ideal for Years 5–6 preparing for SATs.
Children choose their level at the start of each session. Parents can guide this choice via Coach Mode — setting specific targets aligned with what their child is currently studying at school.
How a Child Uses SpeedSum
Log in with a PIN
Children sign in using the parent's email address and their own four-digit PIN — no passwords to remember. The PIN is set by the parent when creating the child's profile.
Pick a game mode
From the child dashboard, they choose one of five game modes. Each mode targets different skills. The Times Table Tower unlocks after a 3-day practice streak as an extra incentive.
Choose difficulty
Beginner, Intermediate, or Expert. Children can challenge themselves by moving up a level, or consolidate at their current level. The choice is theirs — with parental guidance available via Coach Mode.
Play and score
The game starts immediately. Timed challenges run for 90 seconds (or until a score target is reached). Correct answers score points; wrong answers are shown immediately so children learn on the spot.
See results and earn rewards
After each session, children see their score, accuracy, and how it compares to their personal best. Badges unlock for milestones — first 10, first 20, streak shields, and more.
Build their streak
Playing on consecutive days builds a practice streak. Streaks unlock the bonus Times Table Tower game mode and motivate children to return the next day.
How a Parent Uses SpeedSum
Create a free parent account
Sign up with your email at speedsum.co.uk/parent/signup. No credit card required. Takes under two minutes.
Add your children
From your parent dashboard, add each child by name and age. SpeedSum creates a separate profile for each child with their own PIN, avatar, badge collection, and progress history. Free accounts support up to five children.
View the progress dashboard
After each session your child plays, their results are recorded. You can see session history, accuracy by operation (e.g. "multiplication: 78% correct"), personal bests, and streak records. Premium accounts unlock AI-generated performance summaries.
Use Coach Mode to guide learning
Coach Mode lets you set a personalised challenge for your child: a specific game mode, a target score, and a custom reward (e.g. "beat 25 questions in 90 seconds, win 30 minutes of screen time"). Premium users get AI-suggested missions based on recent performance data.
Progress Tracking
Every session a child completes is saved to their profile. The parent dashboard shows:
Session history
Date, game mode, score, and accuracy for every session played.
Operation accuracy
Breakdown of correct vs incorrect by operation — addition, subtraction, multiplication, division.
Personal bests
Highest score ever achieved in each game mode and difficulty level.
Practice streak
Current streak and longest streak — key motivators for daily habit formation.
Badges earned
Every badge the child has unlocked, with the date it was achieved.
AI performance summary (Premium)
AI-generated insight highlighting strengths, areas to focus on, and suggested next steps.
Ideal Usage Guide
For most children aged 5–11, the following routine produces the best results:
- → Daily practice — even just one 90-second session counts toward the streak and builds recall.
- → Same time each day — habit stacking (e.g. "after breakfast, before school") reduces friction.
- → Match difficulty to curriculum — check what your child is currently doing in school and align the game mode and level accordingly.
- → Use Coach Mode monthly — review the dashboard once a month and set a new challenge to keep motivation fresh.
- → Celebrate milestones — when a child hits a new personal best or earns a badge, acknowledge it. Extrinsic recognition reinforces the habit until it becomes intrinsic.
Most children show measurable improvement in speed and accuracy within two to three weeks of consistent daily practice. By six to eight weeks, many parents report their child answering times tables questions without hesitation.
Ready to see it in action?
Create a free account and add your first child in under two minutes. No credit card required.