SmartAZ CORE™ Mathematics
Fix the basics first.
SmartAZ CORE tests your child’s maths recall, finds the facts holding them back, strengthens them through focused repetition and tracks every improvement for you.
SmartAZ CORE promotes a 100% mentality.
Download SmartAZ for Android. Selected CORE topics are free.
Cognitive Optimised Recall Education
What is SmartAZ CORE™ Mathematics?
CORE stands for Cognitive Optimised Recall Education.
SmartAZ CORE Mathematics specialises in the essential maths facts and number relationships learners repeatedly need for multiplication, division, fractions, percentages, algebra and problem-solving.
A learner may understand the mathematics being taught but still struggle when basic facts are recalled too slowly or inaccurately.
When a learner has to count, guess or calculate a basic fact every time it is needed, more time and mental effort are used on the smaller parts of the problem. This leaves less attention available for understanding and solving the larger problem.
Fixing the factual foundation is often the first practical step towards improving mathematical fluency.
At the heart of CORE is automaticity
Automaticity is the ability to recall essential maths facts quickly and accurately without having to work them out each time.
For example, knowing that 3 × 7 = 21 helps a learner recognise the relationship in 3x = 21 and solve that x = 7.
Similarly, knowing that 12 × 12 = 144 helps a learner recognise the square-number relationship in x² = 144.
However, recall is only part of the solution. Mathematical reasoning is still required to recognise that the equation has two real solutions: x = 12 and x = −12.
This distinction is important. CORE does not replace mathematical teaching, understanding or reasoning. It strengthens the factual knowledge that learners need to apply those abilities effectively.
When the basic facts are already known, the learner can give more attention to recognising relationships, choosing the correct method and solving the complete problem.
The two-second recall target
SmartAZ handles the repetitive work for you
Testing your child’s maths recall manually takes time.
You would need to prepare questions, ask them repeatedly, check every answer, measure how long each answer takes and maintain a record of progress.
SmartAZ handles that repetitive work for you.
Each CORE question cycle records:
- Correct and incorrect answers
- The response time for every answer
- Which facts need more attention
- Progress through the topic
- Best score
- Best time
The ideal CORE recall target is an accurate answer within two seconds.
Facts answered incorrectly or too slowly are identified and returned for focused practice.
Your child practises while SmartAZ tests, times, scores and tracks the results for you.
Master the topic
Grow a 100% mentality
At the level of essential maths facts, mastery should be the goal.
A partial score shows that some required facts still need attention. Getting 10 out of 10 once is encouraging, but one successful result does not prove that the complete topic has been mastered.
SmartAZ builds mastery through multiple practice cycles.
When SmartAZ shows 100% mastery, the learner has answered every required fact in that defined topic accurately, within the target response time and across repeated cycles.
This does not mean that the learner has mastered all of mathematics.
It means that the factual foundation for that particular topic is secure and ready to support the next level of work.
Essential maths fact recall
What does CORE Mathematics cover?
CORE Mathematics concentrates on essential facts and number relationships that learners repeatedly need in later mathematics.
- Focus and speed
- Add/Subtract to 20
- Multiplication tables from 2 to 12
- Related division facts
- Squares and square roots
- Powers of ten
- Common fraction, decimal and percentage equivalents
A clear finishing point
Once all the required CORE Mathematics topics have been mastered, the learner earns a certificate of completion.
The certificate gives the learner a clear goal and provides a record that the complete CORE Mathematics programme has been completed.
How can stronger recall help your child?
Parents may notice:
- Homework taking too long
- Repeated mistakes in basic calculations
- Counting to find answers
- Guessing facts the learner should already know
- Difficulty remembering multiplication or division facts
- Problems working with fractions, percentages or algebra
- A lack of confidence when answering maths questions
- Struggling to complete tests or examinations within the available time
Stronger recall does not guarantee a higher mark. Mathematics still requires understanding, reasoning and the correct application of methods.
However, stronger recall can remove one common source of slow and inconsistent performance.
When essential facts can be recalled quickly and accurately, the learner has more time and attention available to understand the question, apply the correct method and complete the remaining work.
SmartAZ gives parents a practical starting point:
Measure the recall. Find what is weak. Strengthen the facts. Monitor the improvement.
SmartAZ CORE™ Mathematics
Fix the basics first.
Find the maths facts holding your child back and start strengthening them through focused, measurable practice.