Abacus & Mental Maths Competition Sample Questions
Free practice questions for ages 5–13+
Explore sample questions from all five Abacus World Championship levels. Practise calculation speed and accuracy using mental maths or an abacus where permitted, and discover the types of challenges students can expect in the competition. Each sum is read from top to bottom; tap “Show answer” to check.
LEVEL 1 · AGES 5–6
Sprout sample questions: mental maths for 5–6 year olds
First steps in mental maths: single-digit addition and subtraction. Children may use an abacus or work it out in their head in every round. Sprout is ranked on accuracy alone.
| Round | Type | Questions | Time | Calculation method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Accuracy | 1-digit, 2–3 numbers | 10 | 3 min | Abacus or Mental |
| 2 · Speed Sums | 1-digit, 3 numbers | 30 | 3 min | Abacus or Mental |
Q1ACCURACY
2
+ 3
− 1
Show answer
= 4
Q2ACCURACY
7
− 5
Show answer
= 2
Q3ACCURACY
9
− 3
+ 7
Show answer
= 13
Q4ACCURACY
8
+ 5
+ 6
Show answer
= 19
Q5ACCURACY
7
− 4
+ 9
Show answer
= 12
Q6SPEED SUMS
3
+ 8
+ 1
Show answer
= 12
Q7SPEED SUMS
4
+ 8
+ 9
Show answer
= 21
Q8SPEED SUMS
4
+ 6
− 3
Show answer
= 7
LEVEL 2 · AGES 7–8
Riser sample questions: mental maths for 7–8 year olds
Two-digit addition and subtraction, plus a first Flash round solved purely in the head.
| Round | Type | Questions | Time | Calculation method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Core Calculation | 2-digit, 3–4 numbers | 15 | 5 min | Abacus or Mental |
| 2 · Flash | 2-digit, 3 numbers | 10 | 3 min | Mental only |
| 3 · Speed Sums | 1-digit, 5 numbers | 50 | 4 min | Abacus or Mental |
Q1CORE CALCULATION
20
+ 56
+ 84
Show answer
= 160
Q2CORE CALCULATION
12
+ 94
+ 76
Show answer
= 182
Q3CORE CALCULATION
68
− 44
+ 87
+ 49
Show answer
= 160
Q4FLASH
86
− 64
+ 36
Show answer
= 58
Q5FLASH
71
+ 77
− 75
Show answer
= 73
Q6SPEED SUMS
3
+ 9
− 5
+ 8
− 7
Show answer
= 8
Q7SPEED SUMS
5
− 3
− 2
+ 6
+ 7
Show answer
= 13
Q8SPEED SUMS
8
+ 3
− 6
+ 9
− 2
Show answer
= 12
LEVEL 3 · AGES 9–10
Sprinter sample questions: mental maths for 9–10 year olds
Longer chains of two-digit numbers at real competition pace, with a mental-only Flash round.
| Round | Type | Questions | Time | Calculation method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Core Calculation | 2-digit, 5–6 numbers | 15 | 5 min | Abacus or Mental |
| 2 · Flash | 2-digit, 5 numbers | 15 | 4 min | Mental only |
| 3 · Speed Sums | 2-digit, 3 numbers | 60 | 4 min | Abacus or Mental |
Q1CORE CALCULATION
22
+ 10
+ 63
− 62
− 25
+ 96
Show answer
= 104
Q2CORE CALCULATION
18
+ 55
+ 63
− 49
+ 17
Show answer
= 104
Q3CORE CALCULATION
57
+ 96
+ 33
− 58
− 14
Show answer
= 114
Q4FLASH
70
+ 84
+ 77
− 36
− 63
Show answer
= 132
Q5FLASH
53
− 17
− 32
+ 64
+ 77
Show answer
= 145
Q6SPEED SUMS
81
− 75
+ 44
Show answer
= 50
Q7SPEED SUMS
86
− 59
+ 47
Show answer
= 74
Q8SPEED SUMS
74
− 51
− 17
Show answer
= 6
LEVEL 4 · AGES 11–12
Ace sample questions: mental maths for 11–12 year olds
Every round is mental only: long chains, multiplication, division and multi-step problems. Multi-step questions are worked from top to bottom, one step at a time (→ means “then”, using the answer so far).
| Round | Type | Questions | Time | Calculation method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Mental Arithmetic | 2-digit, 6–7 numbers | 15 | 4 min | Mental only |
| 2 · Mult. / Div. | 2d × 1d, 3d ÷ 1d | 10 | 4 min | Mental only |
| 3 · Multi-step | 2-digit start, 2–3 steps | 5 | 2.5 min | Mental only |
| 4 · Speed Sums | 2-digit, 4 numbers | 80 | 4 min | Mental only |
Q1MENTAL ARITHMETIC
98
− 46
+ 68
− 90
+ 35
+ 93
+ 84
Show answer
= 242
Q2MENTAL ARITHMETIC
49
+ 52
− 51
+ 63
− 55
+ 19
+ 81
Show answer
= 158
Q3MULT. / DIV.
86
× 2
Show answer
= 172
Q4MULT. / DIV.
475
÷ 5
Show answer
= 95
Q5MULTI-STEP
62
− 27
→ × 8
Show answer
62 − 27 = 35, then 35 × 8= 280
Q6MULTI-STEP
65
+ 18
→ × 9
→ ÷ 9
Show answer
65 + 18 = 83, then × 9 = 747, then ÷ 9= 83
Q7SPEED SUMS
96
− 69
+ 22
− 24
Show answer
= 25
Q8SPEED SUMS
11
+ 47
+ 61
+ 12
Show answer
= 131
LEVEL 5 · AGES 13+
Grandmaster sample questions: mental maths for 13+ year olds
The top level: decimals, two-digit multiplication and division, and a 90-second Lightning Round. Four mental-only rounds against the clock.
| Round | Type | Questions | Time | Calculation method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Speed Mental | 2-digit, 7–8 numbers, half with decimals | 20 | 4 min | Mental only |
| 2 · Mult. / Div. | 2d × 2d, 3d ÷ 2d | 15 | 3 min | Mental only |
| 3 · Lightning Round | Chains and mult. / div. mixed | 10 | 1.5 min | Mental only |
| 4 · Speed Sums | 2-digit, 5 numbers | 100 | 5 min | Mental only |
Q1SPEED MENTAL
69
+ 37
+ 82
+ 98
+ 54
+ 50
+ 90
+ 10
Show answer
= 490
Q2SPEED MENTAL
58.94
+ 69.94
+ 43.10
+ 33.33
+ 12.70
+ 72.12
− 16.91
+ 53.97
Show answer
= 327.19
Q3MULT. / DIV.
31
× 74
Show answer
= 2294
Q4MULT. / DIV.
210
÷ 14
Show answer
= 15
Q5LIGHTNING ROUND
32
+ 76
− 25
+ 89
+ 99
− 58
Show answer
= 213
Q6LIGHTNING ROUND
54
× 9
Show answer
= 486
Q7SPEED SUMS
24
+ 39
+ 96
+ 58
+ 21
Show answer
= 238
Q8SPEED SUMS
82
− 42
+ 54
+ 51
− 25
Show answer
= 120
Sample questions: common questions from parents
Are these the real championship questions?
+
No. Every child gets a different paper on championship day, generated at random, but it follows exactly this format: the same number sizes, number of lines and time limits for their level.
Can my child solve these without an abacus?
+
Yes. Every question can be solved mentally. Children who learn abacus may use one in rounds marked “Abacus or Mental”; rounds marked “Mental only” are solved in the head by everyone.
How do I know which level my child is in?
+
Levels follow the child’s age on 31 December 2026: Sprout 5–6, Riser 7–8, Sprinter 9–10, Ace 11–12 and Grandmaster 13+. Families can request a level review from their account.
Where can my child practise more questions?
+
In the free Practice Arena: unlimited timed rounds in the real exam format, scored the moment you submit. Register once and practise as often as you like until 16–17 January 2027. Want a simple practice plan before competition day? Read our guide on how to prepare for a mental maths competition.