Beginners do not need complicated drills to improve on the soroban. Simple, well-chosen exercises are more effective: they build finger control, quick bead reading and number sense without overwhelming the learner. A child who practises easy movements correctly usually progresses faster than one who jumps into difficult sums.
The 10 exercises below follow the natural order of soroban learning. You can do them on a real abacus or on the free virtual soroban, then continue with our interactive exercises and printable worksheets.
Before you begin: three rules
Set the soroban flat on the table and start each exercise from zero: all beads away from the beam. Remember the beginner fingering: the thumb pushes lower beads up, the index finger pushes lower beads down and moves the upper bead. Finally, accuracy first — a timer comes later.
Level 1: showing numbers (exercises 1–4)
These exercises make the shape of each digit automatic, so the child stops counting beads one by one.
- Exercise 1 — Lower beads only. Show 1, 2, 3, 4, then clear. Repeat in random order: 3, 1, 4, 2. Goal: each number in one movement of the thumb.
- Exercise 2 — The 5 bead. Show 5 with the upper bead alone, clear, show 5 again. Then alternate 4 and 5. Goal: the child understands that 5 is one bead, not five.
- Exercise 3 — Digits 6 to 9. Show 6, 7, 8, 9 (upper bead + 1 to 4 lower beads), then clear them in reverse order. Goal: no hesitation on 8 and 9.
- Exercise 4 — Random digits. You call out ten digits from 0 to 9; the child shows each one and clears. Goal: 10 correct digits in a row.
Level 2: place value (exercises 5–6)
Now the child uses two rods. Choose a rod with a dot as the ones rod and keep it the same every day.
- Exercise 5 — Two-digit numbers. Show 12, 21, 30, 47, 59, 86, 99. Ask: “How many tens? How many ones?”. Goal: tens and ones never swapped.
- Exercise 6 — Read the soroban. You set a number (for example 63) and the child reads it aloud, then they swap roles. Goal: reading as fast as showing.
Level 3: direct addition and subtraction (exercises 7–8)
“Direct” means there are always enough beads available: you just add or remove them. These problems teach calculation without any special rule.
- Exercise 7 — Direct addition: 1 + 2, 3 + 1, 5 + 2, 6 + 3, 2 + 5, 11 + 6, 21 + 16, 52 + 36.
- Exercise 8 — Direct subtraction: 4 − 3, 7 − 2, 9 − 5, 8 − 6, 19 − 7, 38 − 15, 77 − 52, 99 − 46.
For multi-digit problems, show the first number, then add or subtract from left to right: tens first, then ones. This is the standard soroban order and it prepares for larger numbers.
Level 4: first friends of 5 (exercises 9–10)
When there are not enough lower beads, the child uses the upper bead and a “friend of 5” (1 and 4, 2 and 3). For example, 3 + 4: only one lower bead is free, so bring down the 5 and remove 1. The rod shows 7.
- Exercise 9 — Adding with friends of 5: 4 + 1, 3 + 2, 2 + 4, 4 + 3, 1 + 4, 3 + 3, 14 + 2, 23 + 4.
- Exercise 10 — Subtracting with friends of 5: 5 − 1, 5 − 3, 6 − 2, 7 − 4, 5 − 4, 8 − 4, 16 − 3, 25 − 2.
For subtraction, it is the reverse: to take away 3 from 5, add 2 and remove the 5. All the rules are explained in friends of 5 and friends of 10.
Summary of the 10 exercises
Use this table to choose today’s exercises and to know when to move on.
| No. | Skill | Mastered when… |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Show 1–4 | One thumb movement per number |
| 2 | Show 5 | Alternates 4 and 5 without errors |
| 3 | Show 6–9 | No hesitation on 8 and 9 |
| 4 | Random digits | 10 correct in a row |
| 5 | Two-digit numbers | Tens and ones never swapped |
| 6 | Reading numbers | Reads as fast as they show |
| 7 | Direct addition | 8 out of 8 correct |
| 8 | Direct subtraction | 8 out of 8 correct |
| 9 | Addition with friends of 5 | Uses “+5 −x” without hints |
| 10 | Subtraction with friends of 5 | Uses “+x −5” without hints |
Turning the exercises into a weekly routine
Do not try all ten in one session. A good routine is: one quick warm-up exercise (1 to 4), one exercise at the current level and one “review” exercise from the previous level. Repeat the same set for several days, then rotate.
Example week for a child working on level 3: Monday 4, 6, 7 — Tuesday 3, 5, 7 — Wednesday 4, 6, 8 — Thursday 5, 7, 8 — Friday a timed training round with direct problems. For more ideas, see the 10-minute daily routine.
Answer key
Exercise 7: 3, 4, 7, 9, 7, 17, 37, 88. Exercise 8: 1, 5, 4, 2, 12, 23, 25, 53. Exercise 9: 5, 5, 6, 7, 5, 6, 16, 27. Exercise 10: 4, 2, 4, 3, 1, 4, 13, 23.
Conclusion
Easy soroban exercises are not “too basic” for beginners — they are exactly what beginners need. When children can show any number instantly, handle place value and do direct calculations, the friends of 5 and 10 become much easier. Keep sessions short, repeat what works and move on only when the success criterion is met.
Next step: follow the learning path, which builds on these exercises one rule at a time.
Frequently asked questions
What are good soroban exercises for beginners?
Showing digits 0–9, two-digit numbers, direct addition and subtraction, then simple friends-of-5 problems such as 4 + 3 or 7 − 4.
How long should beginners practise each day?
For most children, 5 to 10 minutes of focused practice is enough. Consistency matters more than long sessions.
Is it okay to repeat the same exercises every day?
Yes. Repeating a small set until it feels easy builds confidence and automatic movements. Rotate once the success criterion is met.
When should we start using a timer?
Only after the child can complete an exercise accurately and calmly. Timing too early encourages careless finger movements.
What if my child gets bored?
Shorten the session, let the child call out numbers for you, or switch between the real abacus, worksheets and online exercises.