Switching from Saxon Math to Math-U-See: which level to check first
Find the last Saxon Math 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 Saxon Math to Math-U-See crosswalk, so we place both programs on one shared grade scale from each publisher's own level guidance. Finishing Math 3 in Saxon Math points to Delta in Math-U-See, or Gamma if the placement test shows gaps (Supported by parent reports). Evidence across all 13 Saxon Math levels: 6 Supported by parent reports and 7 Unverified. 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.
Saxon Math to Math-U-See, level by level
| Last Saxon Math level | Finished it: look first at | About halfway: look first at | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Math K | Alpha If the test shows gaps: Primer | Primer | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Math 1 | Beta If the test shows gaps: Alpha | Alpha If the test shows gaps: Primer | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Math 2 | Gamma If the test shows gaps: Beta | Beta If the test shows gaps: Alpha | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Math 3 | Delta If the test shows gaps: Gamma | Gamma If the test shows gaps: Beta | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Math 5/4 | Epsilon If the test shows gaps: Delta | Delta If the test shows gaps: Gamma | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Math 6/5 | Zeta If the test shows gaps: Epsilon | Epsilon If the test shows gaps: Delta | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Math 7/6 | Pre-Algebra If the test shows gaps: Zeta | Zeta If the test shows gaps: Epsilon | Unverified | Open in the helper |
| Math 8/7 | Algebra 1 If the test shows gaps: Pre-Algebra | Pre-Algebra If the test shows gaps: Zeta | Unverified | Open in the helper |
| Algebra 1/2 | Geometry If the test shows gaps: Algebra 1 | Algebra 1 If the test shows gaps: Pre-Algebra | Unverified | Open in the helper |
| Algebra 1 | Algebra 2 If the test shows gaps: Geometry | Geometry If the test shows gaps: Algebra 1 | Unverified | Open in the helper |
| Algebra 2 | PreCalculus If the test shows gaps: Algebra 2 | Algebra 2 If the test shows gaps: Geometry | Unverified | Open in the helper |
| Advanced Mathematics | Calculus If the test shows gaps: PreCalculus | PreCalculus If the test shows gaps: Algebra 2 | Unverified | Open in the helper |
| Calculus | Past Calculus, the last level | Calculus If the test shows gaps: PreCalculus | Unverified | Open in the helper |
Greyed rows are Unverified: we found no publisher or parent source for at least one side, so treat that level as a guess and rely on the placement test.
Why these levels
Saxon Math: 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.
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 Saxon Math 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 Saxon Math usually goes on sale.
Going the other way? See Math-U-See to Saxon Math. 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 Math 3 in Saxon Math the same as Delta in Math-U-See?
Not exactly. Programs teach topics in different orders. On our scale, a child who finished Math 3 in Saxon Math is at about the point where Delta 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 Saxon Math: Saxon's placement guide puts most fourth graders in Math 5/4, seventh graders in 8/7 and eighth graders in Algebra 1/2. 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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