Switching from Saxon Math to Teaching Textbooks: which level to check first
Find the last Saxon Math level your child worked in to see where to look in Teaching Textbooks, 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 Teaching Textbooks crosswalk, so we place both programs on one shared grade scale from each publisher's own level guidance. Finishing Math 7/6 in Saxon Math points to Pre-Algebra in Teaching Textbooks, or Math 7 if the placement test shows gaps (Supported by parent reports). Evidence across all 13 Saxon Math levels: 13 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.
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.
Saxon Math to Teaching Textbooks, level by level
| Last Saxon Math level | Finished it: look first at | About halfway: look first at | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Math K | Math 3 (the program starts above this point; use its readiness check) | Math 3 (the program starts above this point; use its readiness check) | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Math 1 | Math 3 | Math 3 (the program starts above this point; use its readiness check) | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Math 2 | Math 4 If the test shows gaps: Math 3 | Math 3 | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Math 3 | Math 5 If the test shows gaps: Math 4 | Math 4 If the test shows gaps: Math 3 | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Math 5/4 | Math 6 If the test shows gaps: Math 5 | Math 5 If the test shows gaps: Math 4 | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Math 6/5 | Math 7 If the test shows gaps: Math 6 | Math 6 If the test shows gaps: Math 5 | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Math 7/6 | Pre-Algebra If the test shows gaps: Math 7 | Math 7 If the test shows gaps: Math 6 | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Math 8/7 | Algebra 1 If the test shows gaps: Pre-Algebra | Pre-Algebra If the test shows gaps: Math 7 | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Algebra 1/2 | Geometry If the test shows gaps: Algebra 1 | Algebra 1 If the test shows gaps: Pre-Algebra | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Algebra 1 | Algebra 2 If the test shows gaps: Geometry | Geometry If the test shows gaps: Algebra 1 | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Algebra 2 | Pre-Calculus If the test shows gaps: Algebra 2 | Algebra 2 If the test shows gaps: Geometry | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Advanced Mathematics | Past Pre-Calculus, the last level | Pre-Calculus If the test shows gaps: Algebra 2 | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Calculus | Past Pre-Calculus, the last level | Past Pre-Calculus, the last level | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
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.
Teaching Textbooks: Cathy Duffy says many students need the Teaching Textbooks level one above their grade, and a parent reports finishing Horizons 2 and placing into TT 4. We treat each TT level as covering about the previous grade. Some parents say the gap is closer to two years: one child halfway through TT 6 placed into The Good and the Beautiful Math 4. Sources: Cathy Duffy Reviews: Teaching Textbooks, Parent comment: finished Horizons 2, placed into TT 4 (yourbesthomeschool.com), r/homeschool: TT "about a year behind", r/homeschool: "Level 4 would be more like grade 2", Parent video (Our HOMEschool Plan, Aug 2022): halfway through Teaching Textbooks 6, placed into The Good and the Beautiful Math 4.
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 Teaching Textbooks placement guidance on a calm day, without helping. Follow the publisher's instructions for scores near a cutoff.
- Compare the Teaching Textbooks 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 Teaching Textbooks usually goes on sale. When Saxon Math usually goes on sale.
Going the other way? See Teaching Textbooks 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 Teaching Textbooks have a placement test?
Teaching Textbooks placement tests: https://www.teachingtextbooks.com/placement. 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.
Is Math 7/6 in Saxon Math the same as Pre-Algebra in Teaching Textbooks?
Not exactly. Programs teach topics in different orders. On our scale, a child who finished Math 7/6 in Saxon Math is at about the point where Pre-Algebra in Teaching Textbooks 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 Teaching Textbooks?
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 Teaching Textbooks: Cathy Duffy says many students need the Teaching Textbooks level one above their grade, and a parent reports finishing Horizons 2 and placing into TT 4. We treat each TT level as covering about the previous grade. Some parents say the gap is closer to two years: one child halfway through TT 6 placed into The Good and the Beautiful Math 4.
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 Teaching Textbooks usually go on sale?
No dated sale found. Standing offer: The first 15 lessons of any grade level free. No payment information collected and no time limit. Details and sources: https://homeschoolhaul.com/sale-calendar/teaching-textbooks/
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