MCQ Maths Technique

The SET Stage 1 maths paper is entirely multiple-choice. This means your approach should be different from a standard written paper. This lesson teaches you specific techniques for tackling multiple-choice maths questions efficiently and accurately.

---

Understanding the SET Stage 1 Format

The Stage 1 maths paper typically contains around 50 questions to be completed in 45 minutes. That gives you roughly 54 seconds per question on average.

Key facts about Stage 1:

• There is no penalty for wrong answers — so never leave a question blank.
• You select one answer from four or five options.
• The questions cover the KS2 National Curriculum — number, measurement, geometry, and statistics.
• Questions get harder as the paper progresses.

Important: The SET is a two-stage exam for Sutton grammar schools. Stage 1 is used to create a shortlist. Only students who score highly enough on Stage 1 are invited to sit Stage 2, which is a written paper. Doing well on Stage 1 is therefore critical.

---

Technique 1: Read the Question Carefully

This might sound obvious, but under time pressure many students misread questions. Watch out for:

• "Not" — "Which of these is NOT a factor of 24?"
• Units — Is the answer in cm, m, kg, or litres?
• "Estimate" — You do not need an exact answer.
• "Simplest form" — Your fraction must be fully simplified.

SET Tip: Underline or circle the key word in each question before you start calculating. This takes one second and prevents many errors.

---

Technique 2: Estimation and Elimination

Before doing a full calculation, estimate the answer and eliminate options that are clearly wrong.

Worked Example

What is 389 × 21?

Options: A) 8,169 B) 7,269 C) 81,69 D) 6,169

Quick estimate: 400 × 20 = 8,000. The answer should be close to 8,000. Option C is not a valid number. Option D (6,169) is too small. Option B (7,269) is possible but low. Option A (8,169) is closest to 8,000.

Answer: A) 8,169

You did not need to do the full multiplication — estimation was enough!

---

Technique 3: Work Backwards from the Options

Sometimes it is faster to test the answer options than to solve the question from scratch.

Worked Example

A number is multiplied by 6, then 15 is added. The result is 57. What is the number?

Instead of setting up an equation, test the options:

• If the number is 5: 5 × 6 + 15 = 45. No.
• If the number is 7: 7 × 6 + 15 = 57. Yes!

Answer: 7

---

Technique 4: Use the Last Digit

The last digit of your answer must match the last digit of the correct calculation. This is a powerful way to eliminate wrong options.

Worked Example

What is 473 × 6?

The last digit: 3 × 6 = 18, so the answer ends in 8.

Options: A) 2,828 B) 2,838 C) 2,848 D) 2,738

Only option B ends in 8.

Answer: B) 2,838

---

Technique 5: Time Management

The three-pass approach