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Reasons to try the National Numeracy Challenge!

19 Sep 2023

With the ongoing cost-of-living crisis there’s never been a better time to improve your numeracy skills and confidence with our free online tool, the National Numeracy Challenge.  

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Regardless of your past experiences with maths, it’s not too late to improve your numeracy skills and confidence

Do you ever find yourself saying things like: “I’m not a maths person,” “I hated maths at school,” or “I don’t have a maths brain”?

However you feel about maths, you’re certainly not alone, and if you feel like you’ve been held back in life due to a lack of numeracy skills and confidence, then the National Numeracy Challenge can help.

Improve your everyday numeracy with our free online tool

Rather than asking questions about ‘school maths’ – such as algebra and trigonometry – the National Numeracy Challenge is based on everyday maths – the kind of numeracy we use all the time, even when we don’t necessarily realise it.

It’s cleverly developed to work out the user’s level of maths ability and if you get any incorrect answers it not only tells you, but explains how to get the answer right next time.

In addition, when signing up to the National Numeracy Challenge, you also get free access to exclusive financial education app, nudge.

Find out more 

With over 500,000 people now signed up, the National Numeracy Challenge is a great way to improve your numeracy skills and confidence in your own time and at your own pace so you can get on with numbers at work, home and in life.

But don’t just take our word for it! Here's what people who have tried the National Numeracy Challenge have to say...

Alma, Curriculum and Delivery manager, London:

“I found the concept of the National Numeracy Challenge amazing. I liked it that you were not being timed or put under pressure, which eased the tension and focused the mind more on solving the problem, rather than feeling like you are in a race as I did when I was at school.

“If you get any questions wrong it tells you how to figure out the correct answer and I like the information given after the quick check, telling you what level you’re at and what it means. You have the chance to do more practice and there are useful links and resources to help continue your learning.

“It’s important to feel confident with numbers. One should never say they are too old or busy to learn or relearn. It’s a lifelong journey.”

Read Alma’s full story
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Chris, Adult Education manager, Cheshire:

“That’s the hurdle we really want to get over: people who hate maths because of school, we want to get them back in and that’s an easy way of doing it – in their own time, at their own speed, when they want and in their own environment. 

“To anyone thinking of trying the National Numeracy Challenge, I would say it’s a no-lose situation so just give it a go. Don’t be embarrassed, you’re not going to have a teacher from way back when saying: ‘That wasn’t very good, 3 out of 10. Must do better, stay behind.’ None of that! It’s very affirmative. It is approachable and friendly, just get stuck in.”
 

Read Chris’s full story
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Peter, retired graphic designer who runs his own DIY business, Norfolk:

“After doing the Challenge I feel quite confident in whatever I'm doing; if there's anything that I know that I'm being challenged with I'll look into it and see what’s missing in my knowledge.

“I also feel comfortable controlling my money and accounts. This is really important because there's only so much money coming in and there's a lot going out. I’m working out what I've got, projecting what I think I'm going to need, and reconciling my bank account with what I'm spending. I’m now able to help friends and colleagues with their everyday maths too. 

“I think what this has done is highlighted for me just how important being numerate is, because we do use it every day. I tend to not think about it, I just automatically do it. But doing the National Numeracy Challenge, and talking about it, highlights the fact that we can't live each day without being numerate.”
 

Read Peter’s full story
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Joanna, NHS worker, Bognor Regis:

“When I started I was surprised that it was so easy, the questions were primary school level. Then the questions got harder but I really enjoy challenging myself. I was doing really well and I was proud of myself. I think the key is do it on a regular basis. 

“I would recommend for everyone to try to challenge themselves and take the National Numeracy Challenge. It’s not so difficult.

“Then they’ll maybe notice there’s something different they’d like to try in their life, a better quality of life, and they’ll need to develop their maths skills for that. For me, I hope it’ll improve my job opportunities. It also helps with daily life skills like helping children with their homework, doing shopping or managing pocket money.”
 

Read Joanna’s full story
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Maria, a treasury worker, Oxfordshire:

“At the beginning I was so ashamed of my results, but the messages that come up are really encouraging, so you persevere. I did notice that I got better quite quickly! I realised that I’m not that damaged piece of trash that I had been told I was, and then told myself I was all my life. I just needed to carve a new memory into my mind that said, ‘When I do a maths exercise, a good thing happens.’

“The National Numeracy Challenge is a positive message; it’s not demanding of anyone, and it’s not judging anyone. It was the fear of judgement that was getting to me before. And when you’re acting out of fear and doing things to compensate for this worry that everyone thinks you’re stupid, you do really obsessive things. National Numeracy’s positive messaging makes you think, ‘Somebody cares. Somebody’s cared enough to produce this.’ So, thank you!”
 

Read Maria’s full story
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