Homeschool placement tests and level guides, by program
The publisher's placement test or level guide for 25 math, reading and language arts programs, with what the publisher says about using it and how its levels line up with grades.
In short
Math
- Most major programs publish a free placement test
- Abeka: no placement test
- Math with Confidence: an author's level guide instead
Reading
- Reading programs vary more
- Skills test: All About Reading, Logic of English
- By age or grade: Sonlight, BookShark, Memoria Press
- Explode the Code: placement test sold as a book
Every link below goes to the publisher or the page that hosts its test, checked against the source Oct 17, 2026.
Jump to: Saxon Math · Teaching Textbooks · Math-U-See · Singapore Math · Beast Academy · The Good and the Beautiful Math · Math Mammoth · Math with Confidence · Horizons Math · BJU Press Math · Abeka Arithmetic · All About Reading · All About Spelling · The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts · Logic of English · IEW Structure and Style for Students · Sonlight Language Arts and Readers · BookShark Reading with History and Language Arts · Memoria Press · Explode the Code · Writing With Ease and First Language Lessons · Brave Writer · Moving Beyond the Page · Notgrass History · Master Books Language Lessons for a Living Education
Leaving one program for another? The math and reading switch helpers suggest which test to give first, and the switch guides cover common pairs level by level.
Math
Saxon Math
Saxon placement tests (hosted by Sonlight)
Place by skill, not grade. Saxon K to 3 books work differently from 5/4 and up, so a switch at that point is a bigger change.
Levels: Math K, Math 1, Math 2, Math 3, Math 5/4, Math 6/5, Math 7/6, Math 8/7, Algebra 1/2, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Advanced Mathematics, Calculus.
How the levels line up with grades (Confirmed by publisher): Saxon's placement guide puts most fourth graders in Math 5/4, seventh graders in 8/7 and eighth graders in Algebra 1/2. Sources: Saxon placement tests and guide (Sonlight), Saxon middle grades placement test (PDF), Homeschool Picks, quoting Cathy Duffy on Saxon and Teaching Textbooks levels.Switch guides: from Singapore Math, from Math-U-See, from Teaching Textbooks. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
Teaching Textbooks
Teaching Textbooks placement tests
Teaching Textbooks suggests not dropping a level for a score just under the cutoff. The first 15 lessons of any level are a free trial, which is a second check.
Levels: Math 3, Math 4, Math 5, Math 6, Math 7, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus.
How the levels line up with grades (Supported by parent reports): Cathy Duffy says many students need the Teaching Textbooks level one above their grade, and a parent reports finishing Horizons 2 and placing into TT 4. We treat each TT level as covering about the previous grade. Some parents say the gap is closer to two years: one child halfway through TT 6 placed into The Good and the Beautiful Math 4. Sources: Cathy Duffy Reviews: Teaching Textbooks, Parent comment: finished Horizons 2, placed into TT 4 (yourbesthomeschool.com), r/homeschool: TT "about a year behind", r/homeschool: "Level 4 would be more like grade 2", Parent video (Our HOMEschool Plan, Aug 2022): halfway through Teaching Textbooks 6, placed into The Good and the Beautiful Math 4.Switch guides: from Saxon Math. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
Math-U-See
Math-U-See online placement tool
Levels are named, not numbered, because Math-U-See places by mastery rather than grade. The grade shown here is the typical one, not a rule.
Levels: Primer, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, PreCalculus, Calculus.
How the levels line up with grades (Supported by parent reports for Primer to Zeta; Unverified above): 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.Switch guides: from Saxon Math, from Math with Confidence. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
Singapore Math (Primary Mathematics)
Singapore Math placement tests
Singapore Math says it is common and appropriate for students coming from another curriculum to begin at an earlier level. There is a test for each half level (A and B).
Levels: 1A / 1B, 2A / 2B, 3A / 3B, 4A / 4B, 5A / 5B, 6A / 6B.
How the levels line up with grades (Confirmed by publisher): Singapore Math says its levels align with U.S. grades and that students switching in often start at an earlier level. Sources: Singapore Math placement tests: levels align with U.S. grades; switching students often start earlier, Nicole the Math Lady placement examples (Abeka K to Singapore 1A; part of Saxon 2 to Singapore 2A).Switch guides: from Math with Confidence, from Saxon Math, from Beast Academy, from Math Mammoth. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
Beast Academy
There is one test per book. The online version lets you move up or down at any time.
Levels: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5.
How the levels line up with grades (Confirmed by publisher): Beast Academy recommends starting about one level behind a child's current grade, so Level 2 fits a child entering about grade 3. Its levels cover grade-level standards in more depth, so a child who finishes a level is treated as ready for the next grade, not two. Sources: Beast Academy FAQ: start about a level behind current grade, Beast Academy placement page: level by age.Switch guides: from Singapore Math. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
The Good and the Beautiful Math
The Good and the Beautiful placement test
One placement test covers Math K to Pre-Algebra. If the score is below the cutoff, the publisher suggests reviewing the missed concepts before starting, since the course reviews them too.
Levels: Math K, Math 1, Math 2, Math 3, Math 4, Math 5, Math 6, Math 7, Pre-Algebra (Math 8).
How the levels line up with grades (Confirmed by publisher): The Good and the Beautiful says its math aligns closely with standard grade levels and lists Math 3 for grade 3. Sources: The Good and the Beautiful placement page: math aligns closely with standard grade levels, The Good and the Beautiful shopping guide (PDF): grade-by-grade levels, Parent video (Gathered & Grounded, Sep 2022): fourth grader moved from The Good and the Beautiful Math 4 to Saxon 5/4.Switch guides: from Abeka Arithmetic, from Math with Confidence. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
Math Mammoth
The placement tests are end-of-grade tests, so they also show which specific topics are missing. Parents use them to check readiness for other programs too.
Levels: Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8.
How the levels line up with grades (Confirmed by publisher): Math Mammoth's Light Blue Series is organized by grade level, with a grade-level book and end-of-year placement test for each of grades 1 to 8. Sources: Math Mammoth Light Blue Series: complete curriculum by grade level, Math Mammoth placement tests for grades 1-8 (end-of-year tests).Switch guides: from Singapore Math, from Math with Confidence. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
Math with Confidence
There is no formal test. The author's guide says most children start at their grade level. Check the publisher for newer levels.
Levels: Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade.
How the levels line up with grades (Confirmed by publisher): 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.Switch guides: from Singapore Math, from Math-U-See, from The Good and the Beautiful Math, from Math Mammoth. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
Horizons Math (AOP)
Horizons readiness evaluations
Readiness evaluations cover grades 1 to 6 and take about 30 to 60 minutes each.
Levels: Math K, Math 1, Math 2, Math 3, Math 4, Math 5, Math 6.
How the levels line up with grades (Confirmed by publisher): Horizons readiness tests are written per grade. One parent switching from school Saxon found her child about a grade behind on the Horizons test; another's Horizons-to-TT placement fits grade labels. Sources: Horizons readiness evaluations (Sonlight): grade-level tests, remediate instead of dropping a level, Parent comment: finished Horizons 2, placed into TT 4 (yourbesthomeschool.com), Parent blog: switching from Saxon at school, about a grade behind on the Horizons test.BJU Press Math
BJU's free skill assessments are meant for families switching in from another program.
Levels: Math K5, Math 1, Math 2, Math 3, Math 4, Math 5, Math 6.
How the levels line up with grades (Supported by parent reports): BJU Press math is sold by grade, and parents describe the big traditional publishers as fairly consistent with each other by grade. Sources: BJU Press skill assessments, Rainbow Resource math curriculum comparison chart (grades by program, PDF), r/homeschool: big publishers (BJUP, Abeka) are fairly consistent in what grade levels cover.Abeka Arithmetic
Abeka scope and sequence (no placement test)
Abeka has no placement test. Compare its scope and sequence with what your child has finished.
Levels: Arithmetic K5, Arithmetic 1, Arithmetic 2, Arithmetic 3, Arithmetic 4, Arithmetic 5, Arithmetic 6.
How the levels line up with grades (Supported by parent reports): Abeka is sold by grade and has no placement test. A placement example (Abeka K to Singapore 1A) fits grade labels, while one parent says Abeka runs about a year ahead, so a child leaving Abeka may place higher. Sources: Abeka scope and sequence, Nicole the Math Lady placement examples (Abeka K to Singapore 1A; part of Saxon 2 to Singapore 2A), Parent review: Abeka is known for being about a year above grade level, r/homeschool: big publishers (BJUP, Abeka) are fairly consistent in what grade levels cover.Switch guides: from The Good and the Beautiful Math. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
Reading and language arts
All About Reading
All About Reading placement test (Levels 1 to 4) and Pre-reading checklist
The publisher says its level numbers do not correspond with grade levels. A parent gives the test with the child; the child should not work alone.
Levels: Pre-reading, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4. Covers: phonics and reading.
How the levels line up with grades: All About Reading places by skill. Its Level 1 test checks letter knowledge and blending, and Level 2 adds silent E and longer words. A parent review lines Level 3 up with second-grade reading; the publisher says Level 4 is not fourth grade. Sources: All About Reading placement page: level numbers do not match grades, All About Reading Level 1 placement test (PDF): readiness skills, All About Reading level descriptions, All About Learning Press: Level 4 is not fourth grade, Parent review: Level 1 kindergarten, Level 2 first grade, Level 3 second grade skills.Switch guides: from Logic of English, from The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts, from Explode the Code. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
All About Spelling
All About Spelling placement (linked from the publisher's placement page)
The publisher says most students, regardless of age or grade, should start with Level 1, and some with a phonics background may begin with Level 2. Expect to start lower here than in reading.
Levels: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5, Level 6, Level 7. Covers: spelling only.
How the levels line up with grades: All About Spelling says most students start with Level 1, and some with a phonics background begin at Level 2, so we only ever suggest those two. Sources: Every Homeschool directory quoting All About Spelling: most students start with Level 1, All About Reading placement page: level numbers do not match grades.The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts
The Good and the Beautiful placement tests (language arts, math, reading)
Levels follow grade labels. Parents report a jump in expectations between Levels 3 and 4, so the placement test matters most there.
Levels: Pre-K, Kindergarten, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5, Level 6, Level 7. Covers: phonics, reading, spelling, grammar, writing.
How the levels line up with grades: The Good and the Beautiful says its language arts levels are slightly advanced and most children can begin on grade level. Sources: The Good and the Beautiful shopping guide (PDF): language arts slightly advanced; most begin on grade level.Switch guides: from All About Reading. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
Logic of English
Logic of English Where to Start page (Foundations B assessment and Essentials placement test)
Placement is by skill, not grade. Foundations B is for children who know the sounds of A to Z and can blend one-syllable words. All Essentials students start at Unit 1; the placement test picks the A, B or C spelling and vocabulary track.
Levels: Foundations A, Foundations B, Foundations C, Foundations D, Essentials, Level A track, Essentials, Level B track, Essentials, Level C track. Covers: phonics, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, handwriting.
How the levels line up with grades: Logic of English defines Foundations A (starting to read) and B (knows A to Z sounds, blends one-syllable words). It does not tie Foundations C, D or the Essentials tracks to a reading stage, so those are our estimate. Sources: Logic of English: Where to Start (Foundations A and B, Essentials placement), Logic of English Essentials: Level A, B and C tracks.Switch guides: from All About Reading. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
IEW Structure and Style for Students
IEW guide: where to start in Structure and Style
IEW places by reading level and writing experience. If a student has struggled with writing or reads below grade level, IEW says to begin at a lower level, and it advises against skipping ahead in the sequence.
Levels: SSS Year 1 Level A, SSS Year 2 Level A, SSS Year 1 Level B, SSS Year 2 Level B, SSS Year 3 Level B, SSS Year 1 Level C, SSS Year 2 Level C. Covers: writing (grammar sold separately as Fix It!).
How the levels line up with grades: IEW places Structure and Style by reading level: Level A for grades 3 to 5, B for 6 to 8, C for 9 and up. Sources: IEW: How to progress in Structure and Style (grade and reading-level bands), IEW FAQ: Level A 3rd to 5th, B 6th to 8th, C 9th to 12th.Switch guides: from Memoria Press. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
Sonlight Language Arts and Readers
Sonlight reading and language arts assessments
On the language arts assessment, a child who gets 8 of 10 right moves on to the next level's test, and 3 or fewer means trying the previous level. From Level D, language arts is matched to the History/Bible/Literature level.
Levels: Language Arts K, Language Arts 1, Language Arts 2, Language Arts 3, Language Arts 4, Level D (ages 9 to 12), Level E (ages 10 to 13), Level F (ages 11 to 14), Level G (ages 12 to 14), Level H (ages 13 to 15), 200 (ages 14 to 17), 300 (ages 16 to 18). Covers: phonics, reading, spelling, grammar, writing; literature through History/Bible/Literature.
How the levels line up with grades: Sonlight publishes a language arts assessment for each grade K to 4 and an age and grade range for every later level. Sources: Sonlight language arts assessments by grade, K to 4, Sonlight levels by age and grade.Switch guides: from BookShark. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
BookShark Reading with History and Language Arts
BookShark reading and language arts placement tests
The tests cover Readers and Language Arts for Levels A to C. From Level D, BookShark recommends matching Language Arts to the Reading with History level.
Levels: Level K (ages 5 to 7), Level A (ages 6 to 8), Level B (ages 7 to 9), Level C (ages 8 to 10), Level D (ages 9 to 11), Level E (ages 10 to 12), Level F (ages 11 to 13), Level G (ages 12 to 14), Level H (ages 13 to 15). Covers: reading, language arts, literature (secular).
How the levels line up with grades: BookShark lists an age range for each level and suggests the middle level for a child's age. Sources: BookShark choosing guide: levels by age, BookShark reading and language arts placement tests.Switch guides: from Sonlight. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
Memoria Press (core literature and language arts)
Memoria Press readiness assessments (Simply Classical); core placement is by phone
Memoria Press has no placement tests for its core curriculum and suggests choosing literature by reading level: if a book is too hard to read alone, back up a grade. A child starting First Grade should be fluent with short words like cat. Free readiness assessments exist for the Simply Classical line.
Levels: Junior Kindergarten, Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade, Fifth Grade, Sixth Grade, Seventh Grade, Eighth Grade. Covers: phonics (early), literature, spelling, grammar, composition.
How the levels line up with grades: Memoria Press sells its core curriculum by grade and advises choosing literature by reading level. Its staff say a child starting First Grade should be fluent with short words. Sources: Memoria Press staff: no placement tests; choose literature by reading level, Memoria Press staff: first grade starts with real books; fluent with short words.Switch guides: from IEW. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
Explode the Code
Explode the Code placement test book (sold by the publisher, not free)
The placement test is a printed book that covers A to C and 1 to 8. Half books (1 1/2 and so on) add practice at the same level.
Levels: Get Ready, Get Set, Go for the Code (A to C), Book 1, Book 2, Book 3, Book 4, Book 5, Book 6, Book 7, Book 8. Covers: phonics workbooks.
How the levels line up with grades: Explode the Code sells a printed placement test. We found no free publisher source tying each book to a reading stage. Sources: Explode the Code placement test book (publisher).Switch guides: from All About Reading. When it usually goes on sale.
Writing With Ease and First Language Lessons
Well-Trained Mind Press (WWE level guidance; FLL has no test)
Writing With Ease Level 1 is meant for first grade. The publisher says older beginners can start at Level 2 and offers a diagnostic for placement by skill. First Language Lessons is sequential with no test.
Levels: WWE Level 1 / FLL Level 1, WWE Level 2 / FLL Level 2, WWE Level 3 / FLL Level 3, WWE Level 4 / FLL Level 4. Covers: writing (WWE) and grammar (FLL).
How the levels line up with grades: Writing With Ease Level 1 is meant for first grade, and older beginners can start at Level 2. Later levels follow grade numbers, which we could not confirm against a publisher source. Sources: Homeschool Shortlist: Writing With Ease Level 1 is first grade; older beginners can start at Level 2.Brave Writer
Brave Writer: choose by age (no placement test)
There is no test. Brave Writer groups products by age, and parents choose within that group by the product descriptions.
Levels: Beginning Writers (ages 5 to 7), Emerging Writers (ages 8 to 10), Middle School Writers (ages 11 to 12), High School Writers (ages 13 to 14), College Prep Writers (ages 15 to 18). Covers: writing and literature discussion.
How the levels line up with grades: Brave Writer groups its products by age: 5 to 7, 8 to 10, 11 to 12, 13 to 14 and 15 to 18. Sources: Brave Writer: products by age (Beginning 5 to 7, Emerging 8 to 10, Middle School 11 to 12, High School 13 to 14, College Prep 15 to 18).Moving Beyond the Page
Moving Beyond the Page age-level pages (placement questionnaires are linked there)
Levels are age bands that overlap on purpose. The publisher's questionnaires help choose between two bands.
Levels: Age 5 to 7, Age 6 to 8, Age 7 to 9, Age 8 to 10, Age 9 to 11, Age 10 to 12, Age 11 to 13, Age 12 to 14. Covers: literature-based language arts with science and social studies.
How the levels line up with grades: Moving Beyond the Page uses overlapping age bands. We could not load its placement questionnaires to check them. Sources: Moving Beyond the Page age-level pages.Notgrass History (literature included)
Notgrass guide to choosing a curriculum
Notgrass pairs history with literature. Pair it with a phonics, spelling or grammar program if your child still needs those skills.
Levels: Elementary titles (about grades 1 to 4), Middle school titles (about grades 5 to 8), High school courses with literature (grades 9 to 12). Covers: history with assigned literature, not a reading program.
How the levels line up with grades: Notgrass is history with literature. We only mapped broad grade bands. Sources: Notgrass: which curriculum.Master Books Language Lessons for a Living Education
Master Books assessment and placement tests
Levels follow grade labels. Check the publisher's placement page for language arts readiness checks and for kindergarten and upper levels.
Levels: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5, Level 6. Covers: phonics (early levels), reading, grammar, writing.
How the levels line up with grades: We could not confirm Master Books language arts levels against a publisher grade or placement source. Sources: Master Books assessment and placement tests.
Questions parents ask
Can my child fail a placement test?
No. A placement test only shows where your child is secure in that program. Missing problems is the point: it shows where to start.
Should I help during the test?
No. Give it on a calm day and let your child skip problems they do not recognize, so the result shows what they know now.
Can I use another publisher's test as a check?
Yes. Many parents give a free test from a different publisher, such as the Math Mammoth end-of-year tests or the Singapore Math tests, as a quick check before deciding to switch.
Disclosure: No links on this page are affiliate links, and no brand paid to be listed. Some third-party pages we cite as sources use their own affiliate links. Read our disclosure.