I am not the Math/Science type. I am more the Literature/History kind of girl. All of these math drill programs have actually been great for forcing me to force my kids to do more math practice. The bad thing about reviewing multiple math practice programs is that trying not to compare them is impossible. The great thing about reviewing multiple math practice programs is that trying not to compare them is impossible. If the last two sentences made no sense to you, then this particular math practice should be right up your alley. If it made sense, this one may not be the best fit.
Mathscore.com is great in that it adapts to what your children have already grasped. They won't need to continue to drill concepts and facts they have down pat, the program will adapt the difficulty of the topic based on the student. It was very easy to set up and very logical in it's presentation. The student begins with an assessment test, which will allow you to see their strengths and weaknesses. Topics in which the student is below grade level are highlighted in red and the program will suggest which topics with which to begin working. While I see it as more of a math practice site, it could be used as a full curriculum as it does cover 2nd grade math through Algebra I.
The site is very simply done and uncluttered. While trophies are awarded, they are not flashy. I didn't find it to be very visually appealing, as I personally like bright colors and cheery graphics. This seemed like a site created by someone with an engineer's brain, made for others with an engineer's brain (If you know an engineer, you know exactly what I am talking about). I have to give this a mixed review, as it is not a good fit for my artsy fartsy family but I know would be wonderful for a family who needs or enjoys things kept simple. The meat of the program is wonderful and I would recommend it highly to those students who either don't like or can't handle a lot of "stuff" on their page while working. This would be a perfect fit for them!
The pricing for Mathscore is very reasonable, if a little complicated. The basic pricing has you paying $14.95 a month for the first child, $5 a month for the second, and $3.95 for each child after that. Right now the first child is only $9.95 for the first two months. There is a free trial available, which lasts half a month (which is a great way to find out if this is a good fit for your family). A 9-month subscription is also available, which reduces the first child price to $9.95. After the 9 months, the price is locked in and it becomes $9.95 month by month. He also offers lump sum payments; you prepay $50 and get $60 account credit or prepay $100 and get $140 account credit. You may also freeze your account when vacationing and not waste any credit on your subscription.
If the pricing info all made sense to you, then you should head right over to Mathscore.com and sign up (because I wrote it and don't get it)! Even if it didn't but you'd like an uncluttered math program, try the free trial. Each family's different and this may be a perfect fit for you, even if it wasn't for us.
*Our family tried out the free trial for this review.*
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