Comparison, math
Beast Academy vs Singapore Math (Dimensions Math): which one suits your child?
Beast Academy teaches through comic-book lessons and hard puzzles meant to make children struggle productively, while Singapore Math is a parent-taught grade-by-grade program that builds understanding step by step with bar models.
The short answer. Neither is better for every child. Choose Beast Academy if your child loves puzzles and enjoys being stuck for a while on a hard problem. Choose Singapore Math (Dimensions Math) if your child gets discouraged when a problem takes a long time. Whichever you pick, the level matters more than the brand, so find out where your child is before you buy.
At a glance
| Beast Academy | Singapore Math (Dimensions Math) | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | 1 to 5 | Pre-K to 8 |
| Faith content | Secular | Secular |
| Teaching style | Mastery, Problem solving, Games | Mastery, Singapore style, Problem solving |
| Format | Textbook, Workbook, Online | Textbook, Workbook |
| Parent time | Some | Plenty |
| Price | Low cost | Mid price |
| Placement test | Yes | Yes |
| Often chosen for | Advanced children, visual learners | Advanced children, visual learners |
How they differ
| Beast Academy | Singapore Math (Dimensions Math) | |
|---|---|---|
| How a lesson runs | The child reads a comic-style guide chapter, then works practice book or online problems; plan by time, not pages, with 12-15 days per chapter. | Parent leads a discussion of an opening problem, the textbook shows solutions, then the child practices in the workbook. |
| How new topics are introduced | Characters in the guide books discover ideas through puzzles and conversation; the online version adds videos and lets the child learn self-paced. | Concrete materials first, then pictures and bar models, then numbers, guided by the parent from the Home Instructor's Guide. |
| Word problems | Contest-style puzzles where some problems take a long time and starred problems are deliberately hard. | Multi-step word problems solved with bar models; challenging but more predictable in structure. |
| How independent the child can be | Many children work independently, especially online, which grades itself; some need help on new topics and hard problems. | Not designed for independent use in the early grades; grades 4-5 students do more alone. |
| Screen time | Can be fully online, fully in printed books, or a mix. | Print based; optional lesson videos for grades 1-6. |
| Pace against school grades | Levels 1-5, ages 6-13, deliberately harder than grade level, so the publisher advises starting about one level behind the child's grade. | Grades PK to 8, more advanced than typical US standards, with levels named after US grades. |
Which one suits your child
Choose Beast Academy if
- Your child loves puzzles and enjoys being stuck for a while on a hard problem
- Your child reads comics happily and is motivated by characters and story
- Your child is ahead in math and bored by routine practice
- You want a program your child can largely run on their own online
Choose Singapore Math (Dimensions Math) if
- Your child gets discouraged when a problem takes a long time
- You want one program that runs from preschool to grade 8
- You want to teach math yourself with a guide that walks you through each lesson
- Your child's reading is behind their math, so long comic pages would slow them
Why parents choose Beast Academy
- Comic-book guides make hard ideas fun
- Builds persistence on genuinely hard puzzles
- Online version grades itself
Why parents choose Singapore Math (Dimensions Math)
- Strong number sense through bar models
- Teacher guides walk the parent through each concept
- Rigorous word problems
Watch out for, Beast Academy
- Too steep for kids who dislike struggle
- Covers fewer years than full K-8 programs
Watch out for, Singapore Math (Dimensions Math)
- Needs active parent teaching in the early grades
- Students switching in often need to drop a level
Switching between Beast Academy and Singapore Math (Dimensions Math)
From Beast Academy to Singapore Math (Dimensions Math)
Beast Academy stops at Level 5, so many families move on to Dimensions Math 6; Singapore Math says Dimensions 6 can follow any grade 5 program. Earlier than that, take the Singapore placement test for the half level you think is done. Children from Beast Academy are usually strong problem solvers but may meet Singapore-specific methods, such as number bonds and bar models, for the first time.
From Singapore Math (Dimensions Math) to Beast Academy
Take the free AoPS adaptive placement test rather than going by grade, since Beast Academy levels run harder than school grades. Children coming from Singapore Math are often placed about a level below their Singapore grade and may need time to get used to long struggles and the reading load of the comic guides.
Which level of Beast Academy? → Which level of Singapore Math (Dimensions Math)? →
What parents often say
- Many families use Singapore Math as the main program and add Beast Academy as an enrichment supplement.
- Placing at the child's school grade in Beast Academy often leads to frustration, and parents commonly drop back a level.
- Children who love puzzles call Beast Academy fun, while children who shut down on hard problems struggle with it as their only program.
- The online version of Beast Academy is seen as more engaging and independent than Singapore's teacher-led videos.
Point of Progress in 20 seconds
Ready to see where your child stands?
See where they stand →Questions parents ask
Is Beast Academy harder than Singapore Math?
Beast Academy is generally harder at the same level number, which is why the publisher advises starting about a level behind. Singapore Math is also above typical US standards but builds up more gradually.
Can Beast Academy be a full curriculum?
The publisher says it can be used on its own or as a supplement, and it covers grade 1-5 topics in more depth. Many families still pair it with a more traditional program, and it ends at Level 5.
Can you use Beast Academy and Singapore Math together?
Yes, this is one of the most common pairings. Place the child in each program with its own placement test, which often puts Beast Academy a level below the Singapore grade.
Which level should my child start in?
Use the publisher's placement guidance for the program you choose; levels rarely line up one to one between programs. If you are not sure where your child stands, an independent adaptive test such as Point of Progress (grades 3 to 10, about forty minutes at home) shows their level and the skills that need work.
Keep reading
Curriculum finder
Match math and reading programs to your child, your faith and your state.
Saxon Math vs Singapore Math (Dimensions Math)
Saxon teaches procedures in small steps and reviews them every day, while Dimensions Math teaches fewer ideas...
Singapore Math (Dimensions Math) vs Math Mammoth
Both teach math for understanding with bar models and mental math, but Singapore Math is taught by the parent...
Math-U-See vs Singapore Math (Dimensions Math)
Math-U-See teaches one main operation per level with blocks and short videos until it is mastered, while...
Sources
- beastacademy.com/faq
- artofproblemsolving.com/placement
- help.beastacademy.com/a/1861864-how-to-determine-your-student-s-level
- help.beastacademy.com/a/1799483-frequently-asked-curriculum-questions
- singaporemath.com/pages/faq
- singaporemath.com/pages/program-comparison
- singaporemath.com/pages/placement-tests
- cathyduffyreviews.com/homeschool-reviews-core-curricula/math/prek-k/di
Know where they stand before you buy the book.
About forty minutes at home, math and reading & writing, grades 3 to 10. The report is ready as soon as the test finishes.
Test your child, $9.99 →or with the ten-week workbook, $19.99This page is Point of Progress's own research, compiled in November 2026 from publishers' websites, placement materials and parent reviews. Publishers update their products, levels, placement tests and prices from time to time, so please verify all information with the provider before you buy. Point of Progress is independent and is not affiliated with any publisher named here.