Switching from Teaching Textbooks to Saxon Math: which level to check first
Find the last Teaching Textbooks level your child worked in to see where to look in Saxon Math, how strong the evidence is, and the free placement test to give next.
In short
No publisher we found publishes a direct Teaching Textbooks to Saxon Math crosswalk, so we place both programs on one shared grade scale from each publisher's own level guidance. Finishing Pre-Algebra in Teaching Textbooks points to Algebra 1/2 in Saxon Math, or Math 8/7 if the placement test shows gaps (Supported by parent reports). Evidence across all 10 Teaching Textbooks levels: 10 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.
Saxon placement tests (hosted by Sonlight)
Place by skill, not grade. Saxon K to 3 books work differently from 5/4 and up, so a switch at that point is a bigger change.
Teaching Textbooks to Saxon Math, level by level
| Last Teaching Textbooks level | Finished it: look first at | About halfway: look first at | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Math 3 | Math 3 If the test shows gaps: Math 2 | Math 2 If the test shows gaps: Math 1 | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Math 4 | Math 5/4 If the test shows gaps: Math 3 | Math 3 If the test shows gaps: Math 2 | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Math 5 | Math 6/5 If the test shows gaps: Math 5/4 | Math 5/4 If the test shows gaps: Math 3 | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Math 6 | Math 7/6 If the test shows gaps: Math 6/5 | Math 6/5 If the test shows gaps: Math 5/4 | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Math 7 | Math 8/7 If the test shows gaps: Math 7/6 | Math 7/6 If the test shows gaps: Math 6/5 | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Pre-Algebra | Algebra 1/2 If the test shows gaps: Math 8/7 | Math 8/7 If the test shows gaps: Math 7/6 | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Algebra 1 | Algebra 1 If the test shows gaps: Algebra 1/2 | Algebra 1/2 If the test shows gaps: Math 8/7 | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Geometry | Algebra 2 If the test shows gaps: Algebra 1 | Algebra 1 If the test shows gaps: Algebra 1/2 | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Algebra 2 | Advanced Mathematics If the test shows gaps: Algebra 2 | Algebra 2 If the test shows gaps: Algebra 1 | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
| Pre-Calculus | Calculus If the test shows gaps: Advanced Mathematics | Advanced Mathematics If the test shows gaps: Algebra 2 | Supported by parent reports | Open in the helper |
Why these 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.
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.
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 Teaching Textbooks level your child worked in and whether they finished it.
- Find it in the table above and note the evidence level.
- Give the Saxon Math placement guidance on a calm day, without helping. Follow the publisher's instructions for scores near a cutoff.
- Compare the Saxon Math 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 Saxon Math usually goes on sale. When Teaching Textbooks usually goes on sale.
Going the other way? See Saxon Math to Teaching Textbooks. 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 Saxon Math have a placement test?
Saxon placement tests (hosted by Sonlight): https://www.sonlight.com/pages/saxon-placement-tests. Place by skill, not grade. Saxon K to 3 books work differently from 5/4 and up, so a switch at that point is a bigger change.
Is Pre-Algebra in Teaching Textbooks the same as Algebra 1/2 in Saxon Math?
Not exactly. Programs teach topics in different orders. On our scale, a child who finished Pre-Algebra in Teaching Textbooks is at about the point where Algebra 1/2 in Saxon Math 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 Saxon Math?
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. 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.
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 Saxon Math usually go on sale?
No published sale dates, discounts or free trials were found on the brand's own site when we checked. Details and sources: https://homeschoolhaul.com/sale-calendar/saxon-math/
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