General

Franchise

1. What is UCMAS?
 UCMAS means Universal Concept Mental Arithmetic System.

2. What is Abacus?
Abacus is a calculating tool.  It is a physical object and it is semi abstract and material in representing numbers.  Numbers take the form of rods.

3. How does UCMAS help the children?
The system uses the instrument Abacus to teach children about basic mathematics in Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division.

4.What is the major advantages over using Abacus than learning the above basic mathematics in conventional methods?
a) Removes the fear of Mathematics from the minds of the children.
b) Ensures overall development of the children.

5. How the overall development by the children is ensured?
Through observation and concentration, speed, accuracy, logical reasoning, diligence, sharpened memory, power of applications, analytical thinking, sound judgment, vision, imagination, discovery & self reliance.

6. What is the eligible age group for the children?
4 to 13 years

7. How many levels terms are there for completion of course?
There are 8 levels, level 1 to 8, each level span to three months ( one term)
After completion of 8 levels, Two Grand levels (Level 1 & 2) can be taken.

8. Any initial kit is supplied to children?
Yes, A student kit comprising of an UCMAS Bag, UCMAS T. Shirt, Student Abacus with Box, Pencil, Sharpener and First level Course materials with speed writing book are supplied.

9. What is the cost of student kit & fee payable per student?
Rs.900/- per kit, fee of Rs.600 per month for A class, Rs.450 per month for B class centre and Rs.300 for C Class.

10. How many classes are conducted in a month and what is the duration of the class?
The classes are of 2 hours duration in a week.

11. Whether any home practice is necessary for the children?
Yes, It is a must, Through constant home practice only, a child gains speed and accuracy.  The CBAG CD helps children to do more home practices with eager.

12. What is CABG CD? What are its advantages?
CBAG CD is recently developed by Corporate Office.  CBAG stands for Computer Based Abacus Games.  It help children learn and practice Abacus in computerized environment, which children find it easy and enthusiastic.

13. Whether any certificate is issued after completion of a level?
Yes; On completion of each level and on conducting an examination, a course completion certificate is issued when a child gets a minimum of 70% marks.  The children can go to the next level only after completion of the previous level.

14. Whether a child can enter in any middle level?
No, Any child has to enter in the first level only irrespective of their age in the age group of 4 to 13 years.

15. Whether any Course Completion certificate is issued?
Yes; After  completion of 8 levels, a Course Completion Certificate is issued.  A Graduation Ceremony for those who have completed 8th term is also convened and a Graduation Certificate in Abacus and Mental Arithmetic is issued.

16. Can children participate in any other competitive examination?
Yes, Children can participate annually (i) State level competitions (ii) National level annual competition (iii) International Grading Examination (iv) International Mental Arithmetic Competition.  For international level competition at Malaysia, Corporate office sponsors National champion at each level to Malaysia.

17. Any examination for Grand Levels 1 & 2  are conducted?
No; Level completion certificates are issued after completion of each level.

18. How a Franchisee is appointed?
A Franchisee is appointed on eligible terms and conditions an executing a Franchise Agreement for an initial period of 3 years on payment of prescribed fee which can be renewed for subsequent block  of 3 years on payment of renewal fee.

19. What is the amount of Franchisee fee to be paid?   

20. What right is conferred on the Franchisee after signing the Agreement?
The Franchisee, after signing the Franchise Agreement, becomes the licensed / authorised to conduct the business of UCMAS Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Education for younger children of age group 4 – 13 years.

21.  What is the territory / area of operation for the Franchisee?
The Franchisee can operate up to a maximum distance of 2 to 2.5 km radius.

22.What infrastructure the Franchisee has to provide?
The franchisee has to provide classrooms with good furniture – Benches, Chairs, tables, Display Boards etc. besides an office room and toilet facility.  A parents’ waiting hall and drinking water facilities are also to be provided.

23. What Display materials will be provided to Franchisees?
The Franchisee centres are provided with Display Abacus, for a cost, which should be used for teaching.  The copy of the Franchisee Certificate issued by the Corporate Office has to be displayed in the centre.  The posters and other display materials will be supplied. After signing the Franchisee Agreement, we shall provide advertisement materials such as Course materials, flash cards, Street posters, CBAG CD, Banners, Broachers, Promotional to Artwork, CD, Posters, Stickers, Labels and other promotional materials in the form of a kit.

24. How Course Instructors are appointed and trained?
Eligible Course Instructors can be appointed on payment of training fee of Rs.15,000/- for a period of 5 years by executing an agreement.  It can be renewed after 5 years on payment of prescribed renewal fee.  The course instructor is given a certificate of training which has to be displayed in the centre.

25. Whether the Franchise can open another centre?
A franchisee can open an extension centre is any institution or in any place where a cluster of students are available, within a maximum distance of 1 to 1.25 kms radius.

26. All the amounts mentioned above are exclusive of Service Tax.  Service Tax at applicable rate (at present @10.3%) is to be added.
27. The Corporate Office (Phone No: 044 – 26182396 / 944952532, Email ID: admin@ucmasindia.com Website: www.ucmasindia.com) can be contacted for any further clarifications.
Why does U C MAS admit children only in the age group of 4 to 12 years?
It is scientifically proved that the growth of nerves and tissues is rapid only in this specific age group. Further it is also observed that 80 - 85 % of brain development happens only during this period. The U C MAS Mental Arithmetic programme, which is designed for whole brain development, works extremely well for children in this age group.
A child less than 4 years cannot be admitted because the program requires a student to be able to identify 1 to 9 objects.   Similarly a 16-year child may not be able to appreciate the concept of thinking in pictures because he or she will be so used to looking at numbers the conventional way.

Does the U C MAS programme  affect the school curriculum?
NO, the U C  MAS program, at all times, is designed to help the students. It, in no way, disturbs the school curriculum . A U C MAS child would be able to verify the answers using Mental Arithmetic. Also the program is conducted during the weekends and imparts the skill at a consistent and steady speed which will ensure that the students can attend to regular school schedule without any disturbance.

Is there a crash course / summer course / correspondence course?
NO, the key to this program lies in consistent and steady home  practice. Though it is only one class per week, a student is expected to practice this everyday for about 10 to 15 minutes. This implies that the course can't be completed in a shorter span or without the presence of a course instructor

How does the U C MAS Mental Arithmetic Programme  ensure the overall academic proficiency?
The result of the U C MAS Mental Arithmetic Programme  is not confined to arithmetic only. The concept of thinking in pictures leads to better understanding and enhanced memory, which is  basic for all academic studies. Thus the results of this program can be witnessed in all subjects.

How does this program help children face competition?
The basis of any competition is only speed and accuracy. Our programme  helps the student achieve consistent accuracy and once this is achieved through constant practice the speed is improved. The accuracy and speed reflects on the memory of a child, which ensures that the child is accurate and fast in whatever he or she does.

What is "image abacus"?
Image Abacus is a method of mental calculation based on the principles of abacus calculation.  A virtual image of the abacus is formed in the mind and used to perform calculations at highly accelerated speed.

Does my child require an abacus to make calculation?
No, an abacus is not required. However, the concept of the abacus is used as described above and only an image of the abacus is required.

How long does it take to learn?
The Image Abacus System consists of ten levels.  Level 10 is the novice level, and level 1 is the most advanced.  The training takes approximately 4 - 5 years to complete.  Normally, dramatic improvement in math capability is evident after only the first year, when the student has achieved level 8 or 7.

Is there a grading standard?  What is it?
Yes, there is a grading standard.  The 10 levels of the image abacus system are themselves indicative of the grade achieved.  This is a system, over 150 years old, inherited from the Japanese and now in use internationally.

How does image abacus differ from the arithmetic traditionally taught in school?
The difference between image abacus calculation and traditional methods is profound, but difficult to summarize.  Image abacus calculation relies upon the manipulation of an image rather than the arithmetic processes with which we are familiar.  Thus it is able to draw upon right-brain resources, resulting in dramatically increased speeds.  Details of the process are best understood by attending one of our seminars.

Will this training conflict with the school's method of teaching math?
Yes and no.  There are distinct differences in the two methods.  However, if a child is able to start the program prior to or concurrent with being taught traditional methods, there is minimal conflict and the child will easily work within both systems.  If a child starts the program later, having already received traditional foundations, there may be a slightly extended learning period (approximately 3 months) for the child to accept and integrate the image abacus method.

We are not Asian.  Will this training be more difficult for my kid?
No, all training materials and instructions are offered in the English language.  A cultural understanding of abacus principles may assist you in understanding the system; however, it is not required for the student's success in this program.  In addition, unique amongst its competitors, ABS actively encourages parents to participate in the novice training period (level 10), thus both assisting the parent in understanding the system and enabling the parent to support his or her child in the early training stages. 

What is the best age to start?
Most children start this program between ages 6 - 10. The optimal age to start is 6 or 7, because the brain cells are vigorously learning which connections to keep and which to discard. As well, between the ages of 4 to 10, the brain is super active. At about age 10 or so, half the connections will have died off, leaving about 500 trillion that remain fairly constant through most of our life spans. Also, children over the age of 10 may have a steeper learning curve before experiencing the full benefits of our system.   
  
My child is not good at math at all.  What kind of improvement can I expect?
Because the training method of image abacus differs so greatly from that of traditional mathematics, a lack of ability in traditional math does not predict any less success in the program.  On the contrary, some of the most successful students have been those who previously experienced difficulty in this subject.  If a student is dedicated to the program, receives strong parental support and encouragement, and persists through the initial training period, then dramatic improvement is guaranteed.
Our confidence in the program we offer is supported by a guarantee.  For details, please contact an ABS location.

My child is an A student in math.  Is there a benefit to his learning image abacus?
A student who has already demonstrated advanced ability in mathematics will benefit greatly from learning the image abacus method.  Relieved of the mechanics of arithmetic calculation, the student will be able to devote full attention to more advanced concepts both in mathematics and in other subject areas.

How challenging is this program? How much effort will be required from my child?
To put it simply, this is a challenging program.  However, history has shown that very few students withdraw from the program until a basic proficiency, and the associated dramatic improvement in ability, is achieved.  This is largely due to the extremely positive reinforcement that a child receives as the program begins to take effect. A positive cycle of achievement and the enhanced self-esteem that comes from accomplishment begins early and sustains the child through the significant effort that is required.