Placement guide, math
Which level of Thinkwell should my child start?
How Thinkwell levels line up with school grades, how its placement test works, what to do if your child lands between two levels, and the mistakes parents most often make.
The short answer. Prealgebra is Thinkwell's 8th Grade Math, not an extra course after 8th grade. Each placement test is named for the course it checks readiness for, so the Algebra 1 test is taken by a student finishing 8th grade math, and a low score sends them back to Prealgebra.
Use the publisher's own placement tool to choose the level (free, PDF and online). If you are not sure where your child really is, or the result surprises you, check the level first: it is quicker than a wrong book.
Thinkwell levels and the grades they usually suit
| Level | Usually suits grade | Main topics |
|---|---|---|
| 6th Grade Math | 6 | Its placement test checks integers on a number line, rounding, order of operations, decimals, adding fractions with unlike denominators, ordering fractions, decimals and percents, proportions, unit conversion, elapsed time, perimeter, area and volume, one-step equations and inequalities, powers. |
| Honors 6th Grade Math | 6 | Faster, more rigorous version of 6th Grade Math with more topics and harder assessments. |
| 7th Grade Math | 7 | Its placement test checks prime factorization, fractions, mean, median, mode and range, linear equations and inequalities, rates, unit conversion, area of composite figures, volume and surface area, graphing linear functions, sequences, probability, the coordinate plane. |
| Honors 7th Grade Math | 7 | Faster, more rigorous version of 7th Grade Math. |
| Prealgebra (8th Grade Math) | 8 | Prepares for Algebra 1. Its placement test checks order of operations, prime factorization, percents, one-step equations, the coordinate plane, perimeter, cylinder volume, line graphs, simple interest, fraction operations, ratios, translating expressions into words. |
| Honors Prealgebra (8th Grade Math) | 8 | Faster, more rigorous version of Prealgebra with more advanced concepts. |
| 30 Days to Algebra 1 Readiness | Not given by the publisher | Condensed, summer-friendly course on the numerical skills needed for Algebra 1. |
| Algebra 1 | 9 | First-year algebra. Its placement test checks powers, integer and fraction arithmetic, order of operations, inequalities, absolute value, expressions, solving linear equations, sequences, graphs. |
| Honors Algebra 1 | 9 | Faster, more rigorous version of Algebra 1. |
| Geometry | 10 | High school geometry, including proofs and logical reasoning. |
| Honors Geometry | 10 | Faster, more rigorous version of Geometry. |
| Algebra 2 | 11 | Functions, polynomials, logarithms, sequences and other second-year algebra topics. |
Grades are the publisher's own guide. Many children sit a level above or below, especially after switching programs.
How Thinkwell placement works
- Six free tests, each for the course it is named after: 6th Grade Math (20 questions), 7th Grade Math (25), Prealgebra (16), Algebra 1 (25), Geometry (25), Algebra 2 (25).
- Untimed, usually an hour to an hour and a half, pencil and paper, and the child skips any question they cannot do.
- Scoring by number correct.
- 6th: 5 or less, contact Thinkwell, 6-15 6th Grade Math, 16 or more Honors 6th.
- 7th: 7 or less 6th Grade Math, 8-20 7th Grade Math, 21 or more Honors 7th.
- Prealgebra: 7 or less 7th Grade Math, 6-11 Prealgebra, 12 or more Honors Prealgebra, 15 or more Algebra 1.
- Algebra 1: 7 or less Grade 8 or Prealgebra, 8-20 Algebra 1, 21 or more Honors Algebra 1.
- Geometry: 7 or less Algebra 1, 8-20 Geometry, 21 or more Honors Geometry.
- Algebra 2: 7 or less Algebra 1 or Geometry, 8-20 Algebra 2, 21 or more Honors Algebra 2.
- Thinkwell says the score should not be the only factor and that the student's experience in math courses already completed also counts.
Open the publisher's placement page
If your child lands between two levels
Thinkwell says to begin with the end in mind. The typical sequence is 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Math, then Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 and Precalculus or Trigonometry. The accelerated sequence starts middle school with 7th Grade Math and reaches Algebra 1 in the third middle school year, for students who want Calculus before college. Thinkwell recommends the standard courses unless the student needs Honors on the transcript or plans a math or science path. The 30 Days to Algebra 1 Readiness course is the short bridge into Algebra 1.
Problems parents often run into
- The Prealgebra scoring guide has overlapping bands as printed: 6 or 7 correct falls in both '7 or less' and '6-11', and 15 or 16 falls in both Honors Prealgebra and Algebra 1. Thinkwell's advice for unclear results is to contact support.
- Families with a child in grades 3 to 5 find no course, because Thinkwell math starts at 6th Grade Math.
- Choosing between a standard and an Honors course after a high score. Thinkwell says Honors is faster, covers more and has harder tests, and recommends standard unless Honors recognition or a math or science path is the goal.
Point of Progress in 20 seconds
Ready to see where your child stands?
See where they stand →Switching to Thinkwell from another program
- Families coming from another curriculum, or wanting to skip a year, are asked to contact a Thinkwell advisor for a custom course plan.
- Courses can start anytime. A subscription runs 12 months from when the course is assigned to a student.
- Thinkwell's test scoring guides say to weigh the placement score together with the grade level of math courses the student has already completed.
When you don't need a whole level
A placement test answers one question: which book. If your child is mostly on track but shaky in one area, say fractions or paragraph writing, a full lower level means months of review they do not need. Practising just the gaps is faster, and keeps them in the book that fits the rest of their skills.
Questions parents ask
How long is a Thinkwell lesson?
Average video per daily lesson, publisher-stated: 6th Grade Math 12 minutes (81 lessons), Honors 6th 16 (107), 7th Grade Math 5 (94), Honors 7th 6 (109), Prealgebra 10 (93), Honors Prealgebra 12 (114), Algebra 1 10 (77), Honors Algebra 1 15 (103), Geometry 7 (83), Honors Geometry 9 (104), Algebra 2 7 (67), Honors Algebra 2 11 (102). Practice time is not stated.
Is it bad if my child places below their grade?
No. Programs pace topics differently, so a lower level often reflects the order things were taught, not how able a child is. What matters is starting where the work makes sense.
Do I need a placement test at all?
If you are switching programs or your child has had a hard year, yes. Starting too high is the most common reason a new curriculum stalls in the first month.
Keep reading
Curriculum finder
Match math and reading programs to your child, your faith and your state.
Which level of ShillerMath?
Levels, grades and how to place.
Which level of Math for Young Catholics?
Levels, grades and how to place.
Which level of Saxon Math?
Levels, grades and how to place.
Which level of Teaching Textbooks?
Levels, grades and how to place.
Best secular math curricula
Every secular math program for grades 3 to 10, compared.
Best Christian math curricula
Christian and Catholic math programs, grades 3 to 10.
Sources
- thinkwellhomeschool.com/pages/placement-tests
- cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0016/3774/4687/files/Thinkwell_Prealgebra_Pl
- cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0016/3774/4687/files/Thinkwell_Grade_6_Place
- cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0016/3774/4687/files/Thinkwell_Grade_7_Place
- cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0016/3774/4687/files/Thinkwells_Algebra_1_Pl
- cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0016/3774/4687/files/Thinkwells_Geometry_Pla
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.