Singapore Math
Singapore Math is the Primary Mathematics series sold by Singapore Math Inc.: a print, parent-taught elementary curriculum that moves from hands-on objects to pictures to numbers and leans hard on mental math and word problems.
What is Singapore Math?
Singapore Math is a way of teaching elementary math that grew out of Singapore's national schools. In the U.S., most families mean the Primary Mathematics series sold by Singapore Math Inc., which shares the Singapore Math trademark with Marshall Cavendish Education. The core idea is simple: children handle real objects first, then draw pictures of the quantities (the famous bar models), and only then move to numbers alone.
The result is a program known for strong mental math and unusually good word-problem skills. It is also known for being harder to teach than a workbook you hand to a child.
How it works
Each grade is split into two halves, A and B. For the 2022 Edition, every half uses three books:
- Student Book: the lessons and worked examples, in full color
- Additional Practice: the independent practice pages
- Home Instructor's Guide or Teacher's Guide: lesson plans, teaching steps and answers
A typical lesson starts with the parent. You work a problem together with counters or blocks, look at how the Student Book draws it, then your child practices. Topics are taught thoroughly in units rather than spiraled, with cumulative reviews to keep older skills fresh.
Plan to sit with younger children for most of the lesson. By grades 4 and 5, many students read the examples and work more on their own, but word problems still benefit from talking them through.
What it covers
| Edition | Grades | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Edition | K–5 | All-new content; guides include digital resource codes |
| U.S. Edition | 1–6 | The long-running classic version |
| Standards Edition | 1–6 | Adds probability, negative numbers and more |
| Singapore International | 1–6 | Sold as semester bundles with a digital guide |
Across levels, children move from counting and place value to the four operations, fractions, decimals, ratio, area and volume, with geometry and early algebra thinking showing up earlier than in most U.S. programs. The Common Core editions were removed from the online store on October 31, 2025.
If you want a more guided version with fuller teacher notes and pre-K options, look at Dimensions Math from the same company.
Who it's best for
Singapore Math fits parents who enjoy teaching math, children who like a challenge, and families who want depth over speed. It suits gifted and advanced learners well because it doesn't pad lessons with busywork.
It is a poor fit if you need your child to learn independently from videos, or if your child needs lots of repeated practice. Pair it with a facts app or flash cards if fluency is a struggle.
Pricing at a glance
There is no subscription. You buy the books for each half-year. A 2022 Edition semester with the Home Instructor's Guide is about $53, so roughly $105 for a full grade, plus manipulatives and shipping. Orders of $100 or more ship free in the contiguous U.S. See the full breakdown on the Singapore Math pricing page.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Often, yes. Print curriculum is one of the most commonly allowed expenses in education savings accounts, such as the Arizona ESA and Florida's scholarship programs. Each program sets its own rules and buying process, so check before you order. You can save Singapore Math to your wishlist and apply once on Edulist to the scholarships available in your state.
How it compares
- Math Mammoth is cheaper, more self-teaching and similar in depth. See Math Mammoth vs Singapore Math.
- Saxon Math uses incremental spiral review instead of deep units. See Saxon Math vs Singapore Math.
- Math-U-See teaches with blocks and videos. See Math-U-See vs Singapore Math.
- Beast Academy is even more puzzle-heavy. See Beast Academy vs Singapore Math.
For a wider view, browse homeschool math curriculum or our best homeschool math curriculum picks.
Who Singapore Math is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Parents willing to teach math lessons one-on-one
- Kids who like puzzles and multi-step word problems
- Families who want strong mental math and bar-model problem solving
- Advanced learners who need depth, not busywork
Look elsewhere if
- Families who need an independent, video-led program
- Students who need lots of repetition and drill
- Older students switching in mid-series without placement testing
Singapore Math pros and cons
Pros
- Builds real number sense through a concrete to pictorial to abstract sequence
- Word problems grow steadily harder and are a real strength of the series
- Inexpensive per book, and textbooks are reusable
- Free placement tests for every level and edition
- Several editions, so you can pick a newer or a more traditional version
Cons
- Parent-intensive, especially in the early grades
- Light on math-fact drill, so many families add practice
- Edition choices can confuse first-time buyers
- Students moving in from other programs often place a level or two below grade
- Home Instructor's Guides for some 2022 levels sell out
What’s included
- Concrete, pictorial, abstract teaching sequence
- A and B books for each grade, one per half-year
- Home Instructor's Guides written for one-on-one teaching
- Free placement tests for every level
- Several editions: 2022, U.S., Standards and Singapore International
Singapore Math levels
| Level | Grades | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Mathematics 2022 Edition | K–5 | Entirely new content, not an update. Each half-year uses a Student Book, Additional Practice and a Teacher's or Home Instructor's Guide; guides include one-year codes for digital resources. |
| Primary Mathematics U.S. Edition | 1–6 | The classic version adapted for U.S. spelling and measurement, with textbooks and workbooks for levels 1A to 6B. |
| Primary Mathematics Standards Edition | 1–6 | Aligned to California standards, with added topics such as probability and negative numbers. Costs a bit more than the U.S. Edition. |
| Primary Mathematics Singapore International Edition | 1–6 | Based on Singapore's latest syllabus and sold only as semester bundles that include a digital Teacher's Guide. |
Free, untimed PDF tests for every edition. Don't score them; watch how your child solves problems. For the 2022 and International editions, tests check readiness to begin a level. For the U.S. and Standards editions, they check mastery of a level.
Official Singapore Math placement test ↗How much does Singapore Math cost?
You buy books, not a subscription. Each grade has an A and a B half. For the 2022 Edition, each half needs a Student Book ($13.60), an Additional Practice book ($13.60) and either a Home Instructor's Guide ($25.50) or a Teacher's Guide ($58.00). With the home guide, a full year is about $105 before manipulatives and shipping. Older U.S. Edition textbooks list at $16.90 and Standards Edition textbooks at $20.60 per half. Prices checked October 2026.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Edition Student Book 1A | $13.60 | One-time | — |
| 2022 Edition Home Instructor's Guide 1A | $25.50 | One-time | — |
| 2022 Edition Teacher's Guide 1A | $58 | One-time | — |
| U.S. Edition Textbook 1A | $16.90 | One-time | — |
| Standards Edition Textbook 1A | $20.60 | One-time | — |
Free trial: No trial. Free placement tests and scope and sequence documents let you check the fit before you buy.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
Applications are not open on Edulist. Saving a product does not subscribe you or establish eligibility. Visit your wishlist to opt in for updates.
View wishlistWhat parents say
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
Homeschool reviewers consistently credit the program with strong mental math and confident word-problem solving. The most common caution is that it takes real teaching time and has little built-in repetition.
Common praise
- Kids learn to do arithmetic in their heads and think flexibly
- Bar models make word problems approachable
- Works well for both math-loving and math-reluctant children when taught well
Common complaints
- Very little repetition or cycling back
- Requires a parent to teach and assist
- Teaching it well can be harder than parents expect
Sources: thehomeschoolmom.com · singapore math · cathyduffyreviews.com · singapore math primary mathematics
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Singapore Math FAQs
What is Singapore Math?
It is an approach to elementary math that started in Singapore's schools. In the U.S., the name usually means the Primary Mathematics books sold by Singapore Math Inc. Lessons move from objects to pictures to numbers, with a big focus on mental math and word problems.
Which Singapore Math edition should I buy?
New families often choose the 2022 Edition (K–5) because it is the newest Primary Mathematics. Families who prefer the long-running classic pick the U.S. Edition. The Standards Edition adds a few topics, and the Common Core editions left the online store on October 31, 2025. Dimensions Math is a separate, more guided series from the same company.
Is Singapore Math good for homeschooling?
Yes, if a parent can teach. The Home Instructor's Guides are written for one-on-one teaching and cost less than the classroom Teacher's Guides. Children rarely work through it alone in the early grades.
Is Singapore Math Christian or secular?
Secular. There is no religious content, and it is widely used by both secular and Christian homeschoolers.
Do I need the Home Instructor's Guide or the Teacher's Guide?
You need one, not both. Homeschoolers usually choose the Home Instructor's Guide because it is written for teaching one child and costs about half as much. Both include lesson plans and answers.
Is Singapore Math ahead of grade level?
Generally, yes. Reviewers describe it as more advanced than most U.S. programs. That is why the publisher says starting at an earlier level is common and perfectly appropriate for students switching in.
Can an ESA or scholarship pay for Singapore Math?
Often, because it is standard curriculum. Each program sets its own rules, so check your state's program page and buy through the program's approved method. You can save it to an Edulist wishlist and apply to scholarships once.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources:
- singaporemath.com · faq
- singaporemath.com · placement tests
- singaporemath.com · primary mathematics 2022 edition
- singaporemath.com · primary mathematics student book 1a 2022 edition
- singaporemath.com · primary mathematics u s edition textbook 1a
- singaporemath.com · primary mathematics standards edition textbook 1a
- cathyduffyreviews.com · singapore math primary mathematics
- cathyduffyreviews.com · primary mathematics 2022 editions
- thehomeschoolmom.com · singapore math