Selective Mathematical Reasoning Accelerator (Year 5 Selective Test)

The Selective Test Mathematical Reasoning paper isn’t just a maths test, it’s a high-speed modelling and decision-making test where efficiency is paramount. We know that schedules are tighter than ever during the Summer Holidays, which is why we created the Mathematical Reasoning Accelerator: a flexible, elite programme designed for peak performance on your terms. This isn’t a live course with rigid timings; it’s a collection of 10 intensive, 30-minute on-demand masterclasses that install the elite-level schemas your child needs to dominate the paper. Your child can integrate these powerful lessons into their existing study routine, whenever it works best.

Our Guiding Philosophy: Schemas, Not Sums

Top marks are not earned by just “doing sums.” They are earned by applying the correct mental model (schema) to each problem type. Our methodology is designed to transform your child from a passive calculator into an active problem-solver who can instantly categorise a question and deploy the most efficient strategy.

A Deep Dive into the Core Mathematical Disciplines

Our curriculum is built around the key mathematical strands that consistently appear in the Selective Test. Each module provides specific, actionable strategies for each one.

1. Ratio, Rate, and Proportion Mastery

• The Pain Point: Confusing part-part with part-whole ratios, or getting stuck on complex mixture problems.
• Our Solution: We install the tape diagram and ratio table schemas, making complex relationships visual and intuitive. For mixture problems, we teach a limiting-ingredient checklist to instantly identify the constraint.

2. Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages at Speed

• The Pain Point: Misinterpreting “percent change” vs. “percentage points,” leading to critical errors.
• Our Solution: We use the Tri-bridge (fraction ↔ decimal ↔ percent) to build fluency and provide a dual-track language to distinguish between absolute and relative changes.

3. Geometric Reasoning and Measurement

• The Pain Point: Losing marks on composite shapes due to missed edges or incorrect units.
• Our Solution: Our edge-audit protocol (expose/shared/hidden) ensures every side is accounted for. The unit sentinel (cm vs cm² vs cm³) is a pre-computation check that prevents unit-based errors.

4. Spatial Reasoning

• The Pain Point: Getting confused by 3D rotations and nets, or miscounting unseen faces.
• Our Solution: We teach the opposites-invariant rule for cube nets and an exposure-occlusion heuristic for accurately counting unseen faces.

5. Data & Graph Interpretation

• The Pain Point: Reading a graph correctly but failing to perform the required calculation to answer the question.
• Our Solution: The to-beat protocol turns data into decisions. Students learn to calculate the target, distribute the delta, and perform one-sweep aggregation before even looking at the options.

The Ultimate Advantage: A Time-Based Strategy

Speed without accuracy is useless. Our system is designed for both. We teach a skip-flag-return protocol that empowers students to:

1. Harvest single-step and estimation-friendly questions on the first pass.
2. Bank time for more complex problems like multi-ratio chains or composite area.
3. Estimate first to eliminate options, then compute exactly only when necessary.

This is more than preparation; it is a fundamental upgrade to your child’s mathematical reasoning abilities. The Selective Test rewards strategic thinking, not just calculation. Enrol in the Mathematical Reasoning Accelerator today and equip your child with the schemas for success.