More than any other subject, math builds the mind like exercise builds the body. But is the math course your child is taking rigorous in name only?

Most colleges demand that students complete Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. Many will also demand a fourth year of math (Trigonometry, Statistics, pre-Calculus, or Calculus). And many colleges will not simply accept what your child’s transcript lists as courses completed or grades earned. Most colleges, regardless of your child’s selected major, will test incoming students to ensure that they have at least a twelfth grade understanding of key mathematics concepts. Even after being accepted into college, your child will probably be given a battery of tests to measure knowledge in language and mathematics.

If your child does not do well in those tests, she may be scheduled into remedial, or make-up, courses. These courses will not be credit-bearing (that means they will not count toward graduation), but they will cost as much as credit-bearing courses.

And, unfortunately, even one remedial course makes it six times less likely that a college student will graduate. That will cost you a lot of money and your child will be wasting a lot of time.

Employers often use math tests as well.

There is only one way to make sure that your child is fully prepared for college or work – she needs to complete rigorous academic courses – especially in mathematics – in high school.

But research shows that there is a considerable degree of variability in content matter even when the name of the course is the same. In some schools, Algebra I is a truly rigorous course with content appropriate to the course name, but in others, Algebra I is a less-demanding general math course that will not prepare your child for college or work.

In other cases, the courses offered by your child’s school may be demanding, but perhaps your child has not worked as hard as she should have and hasn’t learned as much as she will need to know.
For all these reasons, we’re pleased to provide you with a series of benchmark exercises in key subject areas that have been developed by teachers with mathematics degrees who teach in top-performing high schools. The problems presented in these exercises are problems that students in their math classes are expected to be able to solve.

These students will be competing with your child for admittance to college and for good jobs. Shouldn’t you make sure that your child has the mathematics knowledge that will allow her to enter and complete college in a timely (and less expensive) manner? Shouldn’t she be ready to compete with the same level of skills other students have?

Make sure your child can do the math. Have her take our online Math Challenge Benchmark Exercises to make sure she knows the math she will need.