WHAT IS A GOOD ZETAMAC SCORE?

A Zetamac score on its own doesn't tell you much. Divide 120 by it and you get your average seconds per problem, which shows where the time is going.

Zetamac defaults checked against arithmetic.zetamac.com in September 2026. The default game runs for 120 seconds and mixes all four operations. Addition uses two numbers from 2 to 100. Multiplication uses a factor from 2 to 12 and a factor from 2 to 100. Subtraction and division are those same problems run in reverse. A new problem appears as soon as you type the correct answer, and your score is the number you finish.

Convert the score into time

A 120-second game makes the conversion easy: divide 120 by your score.

The table shows why improvement slows down. Going from 20 to 30 saves two seconds a problem. Going from 50 to 60 saves 0.4 seconds, and part of that is typing.

So what counts as good?

No trading firm publishes a Zetamac cutoff, and none of them use Zetamac as its test. Scores you see on forums are candidate reports for a practice tool, so read them loosely. Many candidates aiming at arithmetic-heavy screens say they train until they sit somewhere in the 40s to 60s on default settings. Treat that as a rough reference, not a bar.

A better question is whether your speed holds up when the format changes. Real assessments can add decimals, fractions, multiple choice, or penalties for wrong answers. A score of 55 built entirely on typing speed may not carry over. A steady 40 with almost no hesitation often does.

Where the seconds actually go

Each problem has three parts: reading it, working it out, and typing the answer. Most people only train the middle part.

• Reading. Look at the operator first. A ÷ means you should be thinking about multiplication.
• Working it out. This is where the shortcuts below help.
• Typing. Use the number row or keypad you will use on test day, and don't switch between them.

Tactics for each operation

Addition

Add the tens first, then the ones. For 67 + 58, think 110, then 125. Type the leading digit while you finish the ones. Zetamac accepts the answer once it is complete, so starting early is free.

Subtraction

Every subtraction problem is an addition problem with a missing number. For 143 − 68, count up: 68 to 70 is 2, 70 to 143 is 73, so 75. Counting up is usually faster than borrowing.

Multiplication

With the default ranges, one factor is at most 12. Split the other factor: 7 × 86 = 560 + 42 = 602. For 11 and 12, use ten times the number plus a correction: 12 × 74 = 740 + 148 = 888. If a two-digit times one-digit product still takes you more than two seconds, practice that before anything else.

Division

Division is where most candidates slow down. 672 ÷ 12 is the question "12 times what is 672?" Start with 12 × 50 = 600, leaving 72, which is 12 × 6. The answer is 56. The answer is always a whole number from 2 to 100, which limits your guesses.

A two-week plan

Days 1–3. Play five default games a day and write down each score. Don't try to go faster yet. Note which operation made you pause.

Days 4–7. Uncheck every operation except your slowest and play short 60-second games of just that one. Your score will drop at first. That is expected.

Days 8–11. Go back to default settings. Play in blocks of three and stop when your scores start falling. Tired practice mostly trains hesitation.

Days 12–14. Practice in the conditions of your actual test: 300-second games if your assessment is long, and larger ranges if it uses harder numbers. Also do some practice where a wrong answer costs you, like the drills in the mental math guide.

If you are stuck

A plateau usually has one specific cause. Check your last ten games for it:

1. One operation, usually division, taking twice as long as the others.
2. Rechecking answers that were already right.
3. Slowing down on times tables from 11 to 12.
4. Moving your eyes between the keyboard and the screen.

Fix the most common cause before you play more full games. The multiplication tricks guide covers the products that come up most.

Zetamac FAQ

Is Zetamac the same as a firm's arithmetic test?

No. It is a free practice tool that isn't affiliated with any firm. Firm formats vary and change over time, so follow the rules in your invitation. The Optiver and general OA guides cover what candidates commonly report.

Should I practice with harder settings?

Only after the defaults feel easy. Harder ranges help once your default score has stopped rising. Before that, they mostly slow you down.

How often should I play?

Short, frequent sessions work better than long ones. Fifteen focused minutes a day usually beats one two-hour session on the weekend.