10 Best Abacus Classes in Singapore (2026)
Compare 10 of the best abacus and mental arithmetic classes in Singapore for kids, from established franchises to small-group centres, with levels and locations.
- Edited by
- Amir Wahab
- Published
- Reading time
- 5 min read
AI image by LocalRankAbacus and mental arithmetic classes teach children to calculate on a bead frame and then to picture that abacus in their heads, working sums out mentally at speed. Singapore has a good spread of providers, from global franchises to home-grown specialists and preschool add-ons, each with its own abacus style, grading system and class sizes. The ten centres below all run genuine abacus or mental-arithmetic programmes and were checked against their own websites, so you can shortlist by age fit, method and location.
1. CMA (Complete Mental Arithmetic)
CMA teaches abacus mental arithmetic to children from around age three, running separate Kindy, Kinder and Primary tracks that move from a physical abacus toward calculating mentally by visualising the beads. The centre says classes are capped at eight students and run weekly in roughly ten-week terms, with pupils progressing through foundation, intermediate and advanced stages up to Dan levels. Led by CEO Chen Ching, CMA operates as a franchise with several centres across Singapore and trains its own certified instructors. A structured choice for parents starting young.
2. UCMAS Singapore
UCMAS (Universal Concept of Mental Arithmetic System) is a globally franchised programme, founded in 1993 and now present in dozens of countries, that trains children from about age four in abacus-based mental calculation. It uses a two-hand, six-finger technique the provider says stimulates the whole brain, and structures learning into Foundation, Construction and Advanced modules spanning roughly ten graded levels, with promotion based on examinations rather than time. UCMAS runs classes across Singapore and regularly enters students in internal and international mental-arithmetic competitions. Suited to families wanting an internationally standardised curriculum.
3. 3G Abacus
3G Abacus teaches abacus mental arithmetic using a simplified nine-bead abacus that the centre says makes the system easier for beginners to grasp. Its children's course runs three levels, elementary, intermediate and advanced, alongside preparatory classes and even courses pitched at senior citizens, and students sit international grading examinations. Founded by Mdm Chee, who the centre says has over two decades of abacus-teaching experience, it offers group classes, private home tuition and e-learning, and operates from a base in the Jurong East area with additional outlets. A good option for families drawn to the nine-bead method.
4. E&P Learning Place
E&P Learning Place, established in 1991, is one of Singapore's longer-running mental-arithmetic specialists and says it was among the first abacus and mental-arithmetic centres registered with the Ministry of Education. Its M.Arithmetic programme trains children from around age three to twelve to picture an imaginary abacus and solve multi-digit sums mentally, taught in small classes. The centre, based on Orchard Road, also offers cognitive-development and mainstream maths programmes and provides psychological assessment services. Worth considering for parents who value an established, long-accredited provider.
Orchard
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5. SIP Brain Power
SIP runs an abacus-based whole-brain development programme for pre-schoolers and primary-age children, pairing mental-arithmetic training with what it calls its Achiever's Mind and Attitude component aimed at concentration and behaviour. Lessons use two-hand finger movement on the abacus alongside Brain Gym-style activities, and the provider positions the course as skills and confidence building rather than exam drilling. SIP lists centres in several heartland areas including Upper Serangoon, Simei and Punggol. A choice for parents wanting abacus work combined with an explicit focus on learning attitude and focus.
6. Crestar Learning Centre
Crestar's abacus and mental arithmetic course, developed for it by abacus specialists from Taiwan, teaches children from age four to calculate on a five-bead abacus and then visualise it mentally. The programme runs five sequenced levels, with every child starting at the fundamental level, and uses weekly sixty-minute lessons at a one-to-eight teacher ratio, with annual grading benchmarked to the International Abacus Mathematics Association. Part of the wider Crestar Education Group, it operates centres in areas including Jurong East, Woodlands, Hougang and Marine Parade. Suited to families wanting a graded five-bead curriculum.
7. Mentalmatics
Mentalmatics offers abacus and mental arithmetic for pre-primary and primary children, built around a two-hand, four-finger abacus technique and lessons that fold in songs, music and games. The provider structures learning from a Foundation programme, where children learn the abacus formulae, up through combined intermediate and advanced levels, and also runs an online practice portal for self-paced work. It delivers classes both at its own centre and through partnerships with kindergartens and primary schools. A reasonable fit for younger children, with the school-based tie-ups a convenient route for some families.
8. Shenmo Education
Shenmo Education is the Singapore arm of an abacus and mental-arithmetic brand that began in China in 1998 and belongs to the World Association of Abacus and Mental Arithmetic. Its programme, taught in both English and Chinese, uses two-hand abacus training the provider says develops both brain hemispheres, and progresses through several levels covering addition, subtraction, multiplication and division using flashcards, activity booklets and games. Geared at all ages but especially primary-school children, it lists a learning centre at Bukit Merah. Worth a look for bilingual families wanting a China-origin curriculum.
Bukit Merah
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9. Superman Mental Arithmetic
Superman Mental Arithmetic, which operates as Superman School, trains children to solve arithmetic using a physical abacus and then mentally, so they can visualise the beads and calculate without any tool. Lessons run about ninety minutes and the school places a strong emphasis on speed and on entering pupils in mental-arithmetic competitions, where it says its students have collected many awards and trophies. It lists several class locations across Singapore. A fit for children who enjoy a competitive, speed-focused approach to mental calculation rather than a purely recreational one.
10. Fun with Abacus
Fun with Abacus teaches abacus mental arithmetic through a nine-bead syllabus, taking children from around age four through visualisation, mental-maths and speed-response training with multimedia support. The centre says classes are capped at six students, with an extra trained facilitator added for larger groups, and pupils sit annual international grading examinations accredited to the Taiwan-based International Abacus and Mathematics Association. It reports over a decade of teaching in Singapore and runs several centres, including Mountbatten, West Coast, Bishan, Yishun and Hougang. A convenient pick for families near its heartland outlets.
How to choose
- Match the class to your child's age and readiness: most centres start from around four with play-based preparation, while the full mental-arithmetic syllabus usually suits children who are comfortable with numbers from about age six or seven.
- Decide how much you care about the mental-arithmetic end goal versus abacus handling, and ask how long the programme takes to move a child from the physical bead frame to visualising and calculating mentally.
- Check the class size and teacher ratio, since caps of six to eight students are common and a lower ratio means more individual correction of finger technique.
- Look at the curriculum and grading: ask how many levels there are, whether progression is by examination, and which body accredits the grading, as several centres use IAMA-benchmarked exams.
- Weigh outlet convenience against fit, because abacus works best with consistent weekly attendance over two to three years, so a nearby centre often matters more than a marginally preferred method.
- Sit in on or request a trial lesson, and confirm the syllabus, term length, materials and fees directly with the centre before committing, treating any competition results or testimonials as the provider's own claims.
. No changes recorded since.
Founder and Editor
Amir Wahab is the founder and editor of LocalRank, an independent Singapore rankings and local guides publication.
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