Switching from Math-U-See to Math with Confidence: which level to check first

Find the last Math-U-See level your child worked in to see where to look in Math with Confidence, how strong the evidence is, and the free placement test to give next.

In short

No direct crosswalk: no publisher we found publishes one from Math-U-See to Math with Confidence
How we place them: both programs on one shared grade scale, from each publisher's own level guidance
Example: finishing Beta in Math-U-See points to 3rd Grade in Math with Confidence, or 2nd Grade if the placement test shows gaps (Supported by parent reports)
Evidence: across all 13 Math-U-See levels, 7 Supported by parent reports and 6 Unverified
The real answer: the placement test

Checked Oct 17, 2026. Built from the same table as our math switch helper and methodology page.

Author's level guide

There is no formal test. The author's guide says most children start at their grade level. Check the publisher for newer levels.

Math-U-See to Math with Confidence, level by level

Last Math-U-See level	Finished it: look first at	About halfway: look first at	Evidence
Primer	1st Grade If the test shows gaps: Kindergarten	Kindergarten	Supported by parent reports	Open in the helper
Alpha	2nd Grade If the test shows gaps: 1st Grade	1st Grade If the test shows gaps: Kindergarten	Supported by parent reports	Open in the helper
Beta	3rd Grade If the test shows gaps: 2nd Grade	2nd Grade If the test shows gaps: 1st Grade	Supported by parent reports	Open in the helper
Gamma	4th Grade If the test shows gaps: 3rd Grade	3rd Grade If the test shows gaps: 2nd Grade	Supported by parent reports	Open in the helper
Delta	Past 4th Grade, the last level	4th Grade If the test shows gaps: 3rd Grade	Supported by parent reports	Open in the helper
Epsilon	Past 4th Grade, the last level	Past 4th Grade, the last level	Supported by parent reports	Open in the helper
Zeta	Past 4th Grade, the last level	Past 4th Grade, the last level	Supported by parent reports	Open in the helper
Pre-Algebra	Past 4th Grade, the last level	Past 4th Grade, the last level	Unverified	Open in the helper
Algebra 1	Past 4th Grade, the last level	Past 4th Grade, the last level	Unverified	Open in the helper
Geometry	Past 4th Grade, the last level	Past 4th Grade, the last level	Unverified	Open in the helper
Algebra 2	Past 4th Grade, the last level	Past 4th Grade, the last level	Unverified	Open in the helper
PreCalculus	Past 4th Grade, the last level	Past 4th Grade, the last level	Unverified	Open in the helper
Calculus	Past 4th Grade, the last level	Past 4th Grade, the last level	Unverified	Open in the helper

Greyed rows are Unverified: we found no publisher or parent source for at least one side, so treat that level as a guess and rely on the placement test.

Why these levels

Math-U-See: Math-U-See says its levels are skills, not grades, and Cathy Duffy notes it does not follow other programs' grade order. The typical grades shown come from its topic list (Gamma multiplication, Delta division, Epsilon fractions, Zeta decimals). Parent placement reports fit them from Primer to Zeta: one family used Primer in kindergarten, multiplication in third grade, division in fourth and Epsilon in fifth; two first graders placed into Alpha; a child leaving Saxon 6/5 placed between Epsilon and Zeta. We found no parent reports for Pre-Algebra and above, so those stay Unverified. Sources: Math-U-See placement page: skills-based, levels are not grades, Math-U-See curriculum sequence (topics by level), Cathy Duffy Reviews: Math-U-See does not correlate to grade levels, Parent video (Our Homeschool Table, Feb 2025): Math-U-See Primer in kindergarten, multiplication in third grade, division in fourth, Epsilon in fifth, Parent video (Heavenly Homeschool, Jul 2023): finished The Good and the Beautiful Math K, Math-U-See placement put her in Alpha for first grade, Parent video (At the Starlings, Jan 2022): first grader placed in Math-U-See Alpha, kindergartner in Primer, Parent video (Brittany Olga, Jan 2023): after Saxon 6/5 and part of 7/6, Math-U-See placement fell between Epsilon and Zeta; placed in Epsilon.

Math with Confidence: The author says most children start Math with Confidence at their grade level, and each level is a full grade. Sources: Math with Confidence author's level guide: most children start at grade level, Fourth Grade Math with Confidence: a complete fourth-grade program.

A match is only as strong as its weaker side. Confirmed by publisher means both publishers state the level we used, not that they confirmed the pairing. Supported by parent reports means at least one side rests on reviewers or parents. Unverified means we found no source for at least one side.

How to make the switch

Note the last Math-U-See level your child worked in and whether they finished it.
Find it in the table above and note the evidence level.
Give the Math with Confidence placement guidance on a calm day, without helping. Follow the publisher's instructions for scores near a cutoff.
Compare the Math with Confidence level's scope and sequence with what your child already covered.
Use free samples or trial lessons for a week before buying the full level.
Check the sale timing before you buy. When Math with Confidence usually goes on sale. When Math-U-See usually goes on sale.

Going the other way? See Math with Confidence to Math-U-See. Comparing more programs, or not sure a switch will help? The math switch helper starts with that question.

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Questions parents ask

Does Math with Confidence have a placement test?

Author's level guide: https://kateshomeschoolmath.com/how-to-choose-the-right-level-of-math-with-confidence-for-your-child/. There is no formal test. The author's guide says most children start at their grade level. Check the publisher for newer levels.

Is Beta in Math-U-See the same as 3rd Grade in Math with Confidence?

Not exactly. Programs teach topics in different orders. On our scale, a child who finished Beta in Math-U-See is at about the point where 3rd Grade in Math with Confidence begins, so that is the level to check first. Evidence level: Supported by parent reports. No publisher publishes a crosswalk between these two programs.

Why might my child place differently in Math with Confidence?

How we placed Math-U-See: Math-U-See says its levels are skills, not grades, and Cathy Duffy notes it does not follow other programs' grade order. The typical grades shown come from its topic list (Gamma multiplication, Delta division, Epsilon fractions, Zeta decimals). Parent placement reports fit them from Primer to Zeta: one family used Primer in kindergarten, multiplication in third grade, division in fourth and Epsilon in fifth; two first graders placed into Alpha; a child leaving Saxon 6/5 placed between Epsilon and Zeta. We found no parent reports for Pre-Algebra and above, so those stay Unverified. How we placed Math with Confidence: The author says most children start Math with Confidence at their grade level, and each level is a full grade.

Should we switch at all?

Often a pacing change in the program you own works first: slow down, review, skip ahead or trim problems. A switch makes the most sense when the format or content does not fit your child or family. The switch helper walks through this first.

When does Math with Confidence usually go on sale?

No published sale dates, discounts or free trials were found on the brand's own site when we checked. Details and sources: https://homeschoolhaul.com/sale-calendar/math-with-confidence/

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