I was given a two week trial membership (as part of the TOS Crew) of Math Score to try out with my three children.  Math Score’s purpose is to use an online system to help improve your child’s math scores as well as ability to grasp and retain math concepts (grades 2 through Algebra 1).  They begin with a recommendation for your child to practice basic keyboarding skills so that they can master typing in their answers without looking at the keyboard.  This helps greatly in their progress in using the system.

You set up the account and enter your child’s name and age so you can customize their level of skill.  Then you choose where you want to begin.  For instance, for a third grader, here are some of the topics, beginning at the easier scope of skill sets:

Fast Addition

Fast Subtraction

Understanding Multiplication

Fast Division, etc.

The worksheet drills are timed, so they are to type in the answers as quickly as possible.  The system keeps track of their time as well as their answers, and the questions get more difficult as mastery  is achieved.  On the other hand, it can be slowed down if it is not giving your child enough time and you can always back up to a less difficult topic should you jump ahead too quickly.

What I do like about this system is that these worksheets are very similar in nature to the daily drills we do with our Saxon Math program, only it is more exciting to do it on a computer that grades you, gives you online trophies for accomplishing mastery of the goals and so forth.  I also like that each worksheet comes with an option for a Mini Lesson.  This is really nice because it will explain the concept if your child doesn’t quite understand what to do. While I would not use this system as a stand-alone for math, I do like that it has my back on the teach side, in case my explanations aren’t getting through.

What I do not like about the software is that it is pretty bland.  My kids do not clamor to use the software (although they prefer this to math drills on paper).  There are some worksheets that utilize color, but mostly it is just black and white problems.  I wish they could “spice it up” a little to make it more visually interesting to the child, especially with some of the word problems and younger grades, too.

All in all, if your child enjoys computers and you are looking for a supplement to your math program emphasizing on math drills, I think your child would enjoy Math Score. They do have a free trial available.  Definitely check this out and try it with your kids. The cost once you sign up is $14.95 per month (per child), with discounts for additional children.

Math Score provided me a free trial through TOS in exchange for my honest opinion about their product.