Beast Academy math curriculum is organized into five levels, each roughly corresponding to a grade level. Whether you're purchasing books or a subscription to Beast Academy Online (BA Online), you'll need to select a starting level for your student.
This guide covers the importance of selecting the right level for your student to start at and how to do so.
Note:
- We currently only have placement tests for math.
- If you've ordered books in the past 30 days but realized that you need a different level for your student, you can exchange qualified Bundle books or return qualified books.
Why Determine Your Student's Level
There are two main reasons why it's important to select the right Beast Academy starting level for your student:
- Initial placement in the right level can help to ensure they find early success before advancing to more challenging content.
- Even though you can change your student's BA Online level at any time, book orders require that you commit to a level during purchase.
How to Determine Your Student's Level
Because of the challenge level offered within Beast Academy, the appropriate starting level isn't always the student's current grade level. The below steps will help you determine the right level for your student.
1. Estimate Your Student's Level
You'll first need to estimate your student's level to determine the placement test to administer. When estimating your student's level, their age or grade level are a good starting point even though each student's individual skills are different.
By Age
The table below illustrates how ages typically align with Beast Academy levels:
|
Student’s Age |
Beast Academy Level |
| Between 6–8 | Level 1 |
| Between 7–9 |
Level 2 |
| Between 8–10 |
Level 3 |
| Between 9–12 |
Level 4 |
| Between 10–13 |
Level 5 |
By Grade
Our levels tend to be slightly more difficult than grade level. Therefore, if you're selecting your student's placement test by grade level, you'll want to select the grade level they most recently completed, not the grade level they're in.
The table below illustrates how grade levels typically align with Beast Academy levels:
| Most Recently Completed Grade Level |
Beast Academy Level |
| First Grade | Level 1 |
| Second Grade | Level 2 |
| Third Grade | Level 3 |
| Fourth Grade | Level 4 |
| Fifth Grade | Level 5 |
2. Visit Placement Tests Page
Visit the Placement Test page on our website and review the instructions at the top of the page.
3. Select Placement Test
Note: We currently only have placement tests for math.
On the Placement Test page:
- Locate the level you estimate your student to be at.
- Select the placement test for the first unit (A) in that level.
- Review the instructions at the top of the placement test.
- Print the placement test, keeping the solutions page separate from the rest of the test pages.
4. Administer the Test
Tip: For younger students, it may be helpful to read the instructions and problems to them.
When you're ready to administer the placement test:
- Allow your student a quiet environment with ample time to complete the test.
- Ensure that you don't provide your student with the solutions page.
5. Review the Test Results and Determine Starting Level
Once your student completes the test, review the results against the recommended score at the top of the printed Placement Test page. This will help you determine if the level is correct for your student. Remember, it's best to start your student at a level that's challenging for them yet not too difficult.
6. Re-Test Again, if Necessary
If your student didn't score within the range recommended at the top of the page, or if you felt the placement test was too easy or difficult for them, move up or down a test unit or level.
Still Not Sure? Give BA Online a Try
Enrolling in BA Online will provide your student with the flexibility to try different levels. We offer a 14-day cancellation period for a full refund on Monthly and Yearly Subscriptions, which gives students two weeks to ensure the program is a good fit and time to find the best level for them.
If you determine that Beast Academy is the right curriculum for your student and you would like to add a full level of printed books to their subscription, you have 30 days after date of purchase to upgrade your Monthly or Yearly Subscription to a Bundle.
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