Placement Tests

Our grades align with U.S. schools. For example, Dimensions Math® 1A and 1B cover Grade 1. 1A is the material for the first half of the year, and 1B is the material for the second half of the year. However, it is common for students to begin at a slightly different grade level if they transition from another program. Your second grade student might start with level 1B.

Suggested time for taking tests: These tests are not supposed to be timed. Allow at least an hour for each test.

The placement test is not the only factor in deciding where to place students. Educators should not base their placements solely on scores but should consider how students worked the problems and where they had trouble. For example, a student might do computation correctly but struggle with word problems. Educators can look at textbook tables of contents and go over parts of a corresponding chapter from previous levels to help students with specific topics. These tests were not designed to be exit tests.

How to Use Placement Tests

Placement tests for these series are set up to see if a student has mastered the material taught at that level. If a student successfully completes the 2A test, then they have likely mastered the material in 2A, and should take the 2B  placement test to see if they have mastered that material. If they do poorly on the 2B test, they could start with 2B. If they do well on the 2B test, they could take the 3A test to see if they have mastered that material. 

Unlike the other tests, the placement tests for Primary Mathematics 2022 are set up to see if a student is ready to enter that grade level. So for example, if a student successfully completes the 2A test, then they have are likely ready to begin with the material in 2A, and should also take the 2B  placement test to see if they are ready to begin with that material. If they do poorly on the 2B test, they could start with 2A. If they do well on the 2B test, they could take the 3A test to see if they are ready to learn that material. 

We do not have placement tests for Grades 7 and 8. If your student has completed any Grade 5 program, start with Dimensions Math 6. If your student has finished any Grade 6 program, with solid understanding, start with Dimensions Math 7. However, if your student struggled with a Grade 6 program, start with Dimensions Math 6. Together, Dimensions Math 7 and 8 constitute a solid pre-algebra and algebra 1 program, with some geometry and other topics. If your student has done a pre-algebra program, review the Scope and Sequence for Dimensions Math 7. If there are any topics they did not cover in their pre-algebra program, or if they struggled at all, consider starting with Dimensions Math 7 to cover those topics, even if you don’t need to cover all the topics; they are not repeated in Dimensions Math 8. Otherwise, start with Dimensions Math 8.

After your student has taken a placement test, check out our programs by grade level.

Shop All Products