Watch first-graders discover their inner mathematician by performing mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in one’s mind. This skill of solving maths problems without the use of paper or a calculator is a great skill to have and can be developed by learning Mental Maths from Class 1.
One of the most significant advantages to learn Mental Maths for grade 1 students is that it enhances the ability to think mathematically. It involves the use of visualization and problem-solving skills, which help students to understand mathematical concepts and procedures.
The subject also promotes the development of number sense, the ability to estimate and perform quick calculations. This skill is essential for children as they need to be able to make quick decisions, judge the results of their calculations, and adjust their methods if needed. The ultimate goal of practicing Mental Maths for grade 1 students is to help them increase speed and accuracy in mathematical calculations and to develop a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts in students.
By considering the importance of learning Mental Maths for class 1 students, CREST Olympiads (World’s Most Innovative Olympiad Exams) took an initiative for school students by introducing the competition of Mental Maths for class 1 by the name of CREST Mental Maths Olympiad (CMMO). The exam is conducted at an international level with students participating from 60+ countries & 6000+ schools.
The test intends to test students’ logical skills, aptitude, ability to perform mathematical operations, and much more. Additionally, it aims to instill a sense of confidence and competitiveness in students, motivating them to work harder and perform better in other academic areas as well.
Other Important Information:
| Mode of Examination | Online |
| Mode of Registration | Individual and through schools |
| Exam Duration | 1 hour (60 minutes) |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Levels of Examination | 2 Levels |
| Marking Scheme | Mental Maths Olympiad marking scheme |
>> Join CREST Olympiads WhatsApp Channel for latest updates.
a. Class 1 children can sit the CREST Mental Maths Olympiad for class 1 whatever their school follows, be it CBSE, ICSE, IB or a state syllabus, and in any country.
b. Entry is either through a school that runs CREST exams or by signing up as an individual on the website.
c. This is the final year in which an adult may sit beside the child. A parent or teacher may explain what a question means but the answer chosen must be your child's own.
d. Everything happens at home with the camera switched on. Use a desktop, a laptop or a tablet larger than 11.5 inches; a mobile cannot run the test, and a Windows machine should be on Windows 8 or a newer version, while a Mac or an iPad is fine. Open it in the latest Google Chrome (or Edge or Firefox; Safari will not work) and keep the internet connection stable.
e. The bridge from Level 1 to Level 2 in Class 1 is a Level 1 score of 60% or more.
f. You can look around in the free trial before registering. Once you pay, two online practice tests are part of the fee; taking them is optional.
1. Times tables arrive. Multiplication and Division is on the Class 1 list, and no Senior KG section covers it. CREST's Class 1 prep guide treats multiplication as repeated addition and works with the tables from 2 to 10.
2. Money, length and time. Measurement, says the prep guide, covers changing units of length, weight, capacity and time, and money as well, and each of these makes a handy question for a car ride or a shop queue.
3. Confidence in front of a computer. Thanks to CREST the child grew in confidence and got used to computer skills, one Class 1 testimonial reports, and it adds a word of praise for how easy the application was.
4. No travel, no exam hall. Because the paper is online and sat at home, another Class 1 review says, little ones can try an Olympiad early with very little fuss.
Following are the steps to register for class 1 CREST Mental Maths Olympiad (CMMO) -
Step 1: Visit the Olympiad registration link.
Step 2: The registration form opens up.
Step 3: Fill in all the registration form details.
Step 4: Select the subject(s).
Step 5: Read the instructions carefully.
Step 6: Proceed to make the payment.
Step 7: Registration is complete.
Note: Schools looking to conduct the CREST Mental Maths Olympiad (CMMO) for class 1 can email us at info@crestolympiads.com or call/WhatsApp on +91-98182-94134.
There are five topics in the Mental Maths Olympiad syllabus for class 1: Number and Number Names, Addition and Subtraction, Multiplication and Division, Measurement and Geometry.
After the playful section names of Senior KG come these broader, school-style headings, and Multiplication and Division is the one with no Senior KG counterpart at all.
Detail comes from the Class 1 prep guide: numbers up to 100, number names below 100, step counting in 2s, 3s, 5s and 10s, the abacus, place value, half and one-half, and reading a ruler, a weighing balance and a clock shown in pictures.
The Class 1 paper is an hour long and has 60 multiple-choice questions worth 80 marks: the Basique section's 40 questions score a mark each and the Avance section's 20 score two each. That is well over twice the 25 questions of Senior KG. Level 2 has this very layout and a mistaken answer is never marked down.
Every sub-topic is in the Class 1 Mental Maths prep guide, and you can line classes up side by side on the CREST Mental Maths syllabus page.
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Exam Dates |
Practice Test 2 Dates: 23rd and 24th June 2026 Level 1 Dates: 9th and 14th July 2026 Level 2 Dates: 7th and 8th August 2026 |
| Fee | INR 275 (India-based candidates)/ USD 15 (International candidates) |
Short, cheerful practice suits Class 1. A quarter of an hour at most on most days of the week is plenty, and it should end before it feels like homework.
Build the habit of answering without writing. Ask your child to add the prices of two toys in a shop, count in 5s up the stairs, or work out 3 times 7 on a walk. Show repeated addition with groups of spoons: six groups of 3 is 3 x 6.
Real questions come next. Among the class 1 Mental Maths sample papers is one that rewrites 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 as 3 x ___ and another that measures a crayon in paper clips. Longer word problems were the one complaint in a Class 1 review, so read those aloud slowly and let your child picture them.
Sixty questions against an hour on the clock works out at one minute each. Play a few rounds of ten questions in ten minutes with a kitchen timer and then sit down together for the free trial. Grades 1 to 10 each have a CREST Mental Maths workbook on the Olympiad books page, and CREST's free Class 1 resources are listed below:
Free practice for Class 1 Mental Maths Olympiad
Mental Maths Olympiad for other classes
Other olympiads for Class 1
CREST Mental Maths Olympiad (CMMO) answer key dates can be checked on the website. Answer keys are released on the answer key dates shown on the exam schedule. Students who all appeared for the exam can only check the answer key.
Cut-off for class 1 CREST Mental Maths Olympiad (CMMO) can be checked by candidates online on the website.
Watch for the answer key first. It comes out on the answer key dates shown on the exam schedule page and stays viewable only on those dates; an answer that looks wrong can be challenged for Rs. 125 per question and CREST refunds that fee when the challenge proves correct.
The Class 1 Mental Maths Olympiad Level 1 results follow within 10 days of the last Level 1 answer key date and the Level 2 results within a month of the last Level 2 answer key date; both open with your registration login.
Class 1 carries no ranks at all, so the numbers that matter are two 60% marks: 60% or more in Level 1 to reach Level 2 and 60% or more in Level 2 for a Star Medal with a Merit Certificate. A digital participation certificate goes to every Class 1 child who takes part. Next year's Class 2 report is the first to show a rank.
a. Students scoring 60% or more in Level 2 will be awarded a Star Medal along with a Merit Certificate.
b. Other participants will receive a Digital Participation Certificate, accessible through their dashboard.
c. No ranking system is followed for students of Classes Senior KG and 1.
d. Check Olympiad Awards & Prizes in detail now.
1. What is Mental Maths for 1st grade?
Answer: Mental Maths for 1st grade is a process of solving mathematical problems and solving arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) in one's head, without the use of a pencil and paper. This helps class 1 students to improve their mental arithmetic skills, speed and accuracy. This is an essential skill for everyday life and helps to build confidence in children as they begin their journey in Mathematics from 1st grade.
2. Why do we need Mental Maths for grade 1?
Answer: Mental Maths helps students develop a rapid recall of basic number facts and develops their mental calculation skills which become essential for early grades students, especially for grade 1. Mental Maths exercises require students to concentrate and focus on the task at hand, which can help to develop attention and focus skills which will also help them by being disciplined towards life.