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.
One printable list of the publisher's own test or level guide for 25 math, reading and language arts programs.
Starting or switching mid-year? Give the publisher's placement test first, then buy the level it points to. Placement tests check skills, not age, so a child placing below or above grade is normal.
Many homeschool math programs publish a placement test. Abeka does not, and Math with Confidence uses an author's level guide instead. Reading programs vary more: some test skills (All About Reading, Logic of English), some place by age or grade (Sonlight, BookShark, Memoria Press). Explode the Code sells its placement test as a book. Every link below goes to the publisher or the page that hosts its test, checked Oct 22, 2026.
Homeschool Haul lists placement tests or level guides for 11 math and 14 reading and language arts programs on this page, each linking to the publisher's own test or guide. See also the per-program pages for Saxon Math, Math-U-See and Singapore Math, plus the mid-year curriculum switch plan.
A sale on the wrong level is still the wrong level. Give the publisher's placement test before you order, then check when that program usually goes on sale.
See Black Friday homeschool dealsSwitching programs? Read the switch guides
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.
Want every test on one page? See every publisher placement test in one list.
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.
Switch guides: from Singapore Math, from Math-U-See, from Teaching Textbooks. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
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.
Switch guides: from Saxon Math. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
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.
Switch guides: from Saxon Math, from Math with Confidence. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
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.
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.
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.
Switch guides: from Singapore Math. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
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).
Switch guides: from Abeka Arithmetic, from Math with Confidence. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
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.
Switch guides: from Singapore Math, from Math with Confidence. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Switch guides: from The Good and the Beautiful Math. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
Faith-neutral
Hands-on math, taught with an abacus and card games. For families who placed a child and want a program that matches the result. Price: $109.25 per level book bundle with e-workbook PDF; manipulatives extra. Worth it because the level bundle arrives as one order, so placing and buying happen the same week.
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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.
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 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.
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.
Switch guides: from All About Reading. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
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.
Switch guides: from All About Reading. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
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!).
Switch guides: from Memoria Press. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
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.
Switch guides: from BookShark. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
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).
Switch guides: from Sonlight. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
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.
Switch guides: from IEW. When it usually goes on sale. Level-by-grade chart.
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.
Switch guides: from All About Reading. When it usually goes on sale.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Faith-neutral
A phonics, spelling, grammar and handwriting curriculum. It comes in two programs, Foundations and Essentials. For families who want reading, spelling and handwriting taught as one connected skill. Price: Foundations level bundles are $81.87 to $114.25 on the publisher's site right now (shown as 10% off; end date not posted). Worth it because a child placed by skill can start where the gaps actually are.
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No. A placement test only shows where your child is secure in that program. Missing problems is the point: it shows where to start.
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.
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.
Yes. Many math programs publish a placement test, and reading programs place by skills, age or grade. Abeka has no placement test, so compare its scope and sequence with what has been finished. Placing first means the sale price goes to a level that fits.
Give the publisher's placement test before you buy. Most tests check skills, not age, so a child may place below or above their grade. Start at the first lesson that shows a gap, and expect a few weeks of review. If you are leaving a school mid-year, check your state's homeschool rules first, because they vary.
Start small: math and reading first, placed with each publisher's test, then add other subjects once the routine works. Open-and-go programs ask the least prep from a parent. Many makers offer free trials or samples, so try before you buy, and check the sale calendar before paying full price.
Yes, if you place first. Math Mammoth's FAQ links placement tests for every grade level. Start at the chapter where the test shows gaps, not at the first page of the grade. Checked Nov 1, 2026.
Math-U-See places by mastery, not by grade, so there is no single 6th grade kit. Its interactive placement tool uses yes or no questions and example problems to find the level, and its Placement Specialists can help if results are unclear. Run the tool first, then buy the kit for the level it points to. Checked Nov 1, 2026 on mathusee.com.
Place each child on their own. Logic of English says Foundations is typically recommended for young learners and Essentials is designed for older, striving readers, and each has its own placement. All About Reading has a pre-reading level and Levels 1 to 4, a placement test for each level, and lessons its maker says take about 20 minutes a day. Siblings two years apart often land in different levels, and that is fine. Checked Nov 1, 2026.
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See also: homeschool math programs side by side · free high school math placement tests · free trials to try before you buy · math switch helper · starting homeschool mid-year: the first 4 weeks.
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A printable for switching curriculum: match your child's level in the new program, list the gaps to fill first, and plan the purchase around its next sale.