Number Sense

Number Sense is a high speed contest where students use mental math tricks to solve problems. Given 80 problems, contestants solve math problems mentally in the order in which they appear. Students are not allowed to write anything down except the answer. Erasing and mark-overs are not permitted.
Availability and Grade Levels
Since different organizations break Elementary and Junior High tests at different grade levels, this chart gives the appropriate Dr Numsen tests for your students based on the organization. For example, a sixth grader participating in UIL should get the Dr Numsen Elementary Number Sense tests; but a sixth grader in PSIA should get the Dr Numsen Junior High Number Sense tests.
Organization 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9-12
UIL Elementary Tests Junior High Tests High School Tests
PSIA Grades 2-3 Tests Grades 4-5 Tests Junior High Tests
TMSCA Elementary Tests Junior High Tests High School Tests
TAPPS High School Tests
Workbooks, Practice Tests, and Online Resources
  • Mastering Number Sense Workbooks 1 and 2 -- These workbooks were written for Elementary and Junior High students of Number Sense. Great for first-time learners and advancing students. Basically, Workbook 1 is for Elementary and Workbook 2 is for Junior High; however, there are many cross-over topics both ways. Both first-time Junior High students will need the first workbook to learn the basics. But also, super-star Elementary students will get far enough into the Number Sense test as to need the resources from the second workbook. Each workbook comes will practice problems in each section and a review at the end of each chapter.
  • Mastering Number Sense -- Drill Master -- Online software for students to practice the problems found on Number Sense contests. The program allows coaches to create accounts for students. Under student accounts, the program keeps track of student progress.
  • Mastering Number Sense -- Trick Center -- a subscription service from Dr Numsen at www.academicmeet.com, the Trick Center contains many of the tricks used on the Number Sense test. A listing shows which tricks are appropriate for each grade level and the difficulty of the tricks. Tricks are presented in pdf format for easy downloading. Some videos are presented. More videos are scheduled to be developed in 2019-2020. A sample of the Trick Center can be found here.
  • Mastering Number Sense -- Flashcards -- a subscription-based online-service of virtual flashcards. These flashcards teach and quiz students over the common facts that all students in Number Sense should know by heart. The cards cover everything from squares and cubes, fraction-to/from-percentage conversions, to unit conversions. Additionally, when purchasing both the Drill Master and Trick Center, sponsors receive the Flashcards for free. Click here for a video demonstration of the Flashcard program.
  • Elements of Number Sense and Elements of Number Sense Companion Workbook -- Written for a first-time coach of Number Sense, this manual breaks down the contest and gives helpful hints on how to coach the contest, how the contest is to be graded, and strategies to use with your students. Comes with starter tricks for both Elementary and Junior High Number Sense. The Companion Workbook features the practice problems in worksheet format.
  • Practice Tests -- New tests for Elementary and Junior High are available each year. Tests from previous years are available and are great resources for building up your Number Sense library (especially since the Number Sense does not change much from year to year). Tests for High School are also available.
  • High School Number Sense Workbooks -- Workbook 21, Workbook 41, and Workbook 61+ provide tricks and practice problems for questions that are typically asked around those problem numbers. The newest workbook is Workbook 61+ and features questions found at the end of the High School Number Sense test. These tricks are scheduled to be incorporated into the Trick Center.

Description
UIL -- Grades 4-6 (Elem); 7-8 (Jr. High); and 9-12 (High)
TMSCA
PSIA -- Grades 4-5 (Elem); 6-8 (Jr. High)
ACA -- Grades 4-5 (Elem); 6-8 (Jr. High)
TAPPS -- Grades 9-12 (High)
Dr Numsen Products/Services Offered
  • Mastering Number Sense Workbooks 1 and 2 -- These workbooks were written for Elementary and Junior High students of Number Sense. Great for first-time learners and advancing students. Basically, Workbook 1 is for Elementary and Workbook 2 is for Junior High; however, there are many cross-over topics both ways. As first time Junior High student will also need the first workbook, and an super-star Elementary student will get far enough into the Number Sense test to need the resources from the second workbook. Each workbook comes will practice problems in each section and a review at the end of each chapter.
  • Mastering Number Sense Drill Master -- Online software for students to practice the problems found on Number Sense contests. The program is currently undergoing a make-over and the new version will be released in Fall 2012.
  • Elements of Number Sense and Elements of Number Sense Companion Workbook -- Written for a first-time coach of Number Sense, this manual breaks down the contest and gives helpful hints on how to coach the contest, how the contest is to be graded, and strategies to use with your students. Comes with starter tricks for both Elementary and Junior High Number Sense. The Companion Workbook features the practice problems in worksheet format.
  • Practice Tests -- For elementary and junior high, one new sets for 2012-2013 (12 different tests per set) are available along with archived tests from previous years. For high school, the Daily Online Number Sense Test provides a new test Tuesday through Friday for high school students in a tiered format.
  • High School Number Sense Workbooks -- Workbook 21, Workbook 41, and Workbook 61+ provide tricks and practice problems for questions that are typically asked around those problem numbers. The newest workbook is Workbook 61+ and features questions found at the end of the High School Number Sense test. It will be available late Fall 2012.
  • Trick Center -- a subscription service from Dr Numsen at www.academicmeet.com, the Trick Center contains many of the tricks used on the Number Sense test. A listing shows which tricks are appropriate for each grade level and the difficulty of the tricks. Tricks are presented in pdf format (download Adobe Acrobat Reader to view).