Finding a starting stage

How to place a student

1. Pick a stage to try. Use the grade guide below as a first guess. If in doubt, pick the lower stage.
2. Print its placement check. Create a free account, add the student, and make the placement check for that stage. Placement checks are free for all 22 stages.
3. Time it and mark it with the answer key, then enter the score and time in Math Ladder.
4. Follow the result:
   • Passed: the student already knows this stage. Try the next stage's placement check, or start the next stage.
   • Not passed, but half or more right: start this stage at Step 1.
   • Less than half right: this looks like a big jump. Try the placement check one stage lower.

Starting a little too easy is better than starting too hard. Early steps that are easy go quickly: a student who passes each checkpoint moves on after five sheets.

Grade guide

The grades are where each stage's skills are usually taught. Students who need fluency practice often start a stage or two below their grade, and that is fine.