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

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

In short

No publisher we found publishes a direct Math with Confidence to Math-U-See crosswalk, so we place both programs on one shared grade scale from each publisher's own level guidance. Finishing 2nd Grade in Math with Confidence points to Gamma in Math-U-See, or Beta if the placement test shows gaps (Supported by parent reports). Evidence across all 5 Math with Confidence levels: 5 Supported by parent reports. The placement test is the real answer.

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

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.

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

Last Math with Confidence level	Finished it: look first at	About halfway: look first at	Evidence
Kindergarten	Alpha If the test shows gaps: Primer	Primer	Supported by parent reports	Open in the helper
1st Grade	Beta If the test shows gaps: Alpha	Alpha If the test shows gaps: Primer	Supported by parent reports	Open in the helper
2nd Grade	Gamma If the test shows gaps: Beta	Beta If the test shows gaps: Alpha	Supported by parent reports	Open in the helper
3rd Grade	Delta If the test shows gaps: Gamma	Gamma If the test shows gaps: Beta	Supported by parent reports	Open in the helper
4th Grade	Epsilon If the test shows gaps: Delta	Delta If the test shows gaps: Gamma	Supported by parent reports	Open in the helper

Why these levels

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.

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.

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 with Confidence level your child worked in and whether they finished it.
Find it in the table above and note the evidence level.
Give the Math-U-See placement guidance on a calm day, without helping. Follow the publisher's instructions for scores near a cutoff.
Compare the Math-U-See 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-U-See usually goes on sale. When Math with Confidence usually goes on sale.

Going the other way? See Math-U-See to Math with Confidence. 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-U-See have a placement test?

Math-U-See online placement tool: https://placement.mathusee.com/. 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.

Is 2nd Grade in Math with Confidence the same as Gamma in Math-U-See?

Not exactly. Programs teach topics in different orders. On our scale, a child who finished 2nd Grade in Math with Confidence is at about the point where Gamma in Math-U-See 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-U-See?

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. 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.

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-U-See usually go on sale?

No dated sale found. Standing offer: Clearance items (older editions or minor cosmetic flaws) at a discount. Final sale. Details and sources: https://homeschoolhaul.com/sale-calendar/math-u-see/

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