XtraMath: A Comprehensive Guide for Students

XtraMath is a free online service designed to help students master basic math facts. It provides a structured environment for practice and assessment, allowing students to develop fluency and automaticity in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of XtraMath, including its features, benefits, and how to use it effectively.

What is XtraMath?

XtraMath is a supplementary tool, not a replacement for direct instruction from teachers and parents. It is designed to reinforce math facts through short, daily sessions that include assessment, targeted practice, and progress tracking. The program adapts to each student’s skill level, reinforcing quick recall and automaticity while keeping them engaged.

Student Sign-In Options

XtraMath offers multiple ways for students to sign in, catering to different learning environments:

Student Sign In

This page allows students to sign in using their name and PIN. Students are assigned random PINs by default. Next time, the student can just click their name to sign in. The Student Sign In page also has Clever and Google SSO (Single Sign On) buttons.

Classroom Sign In

If students use shared classroom devices, Classroom Sign In pages can be set up. Students select their name from a list, enter their PIN, and the program picks another student to go next, making it easy for students to take turns. The Classroom Sign In page relies on the browser’s LocalStorage to work.

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To set up Classroom Sign In, follow these steps:

Go to the classroom view and click Change Class to go back to the overview.
On subsequent computers, just click the (+) button to the right of your name, then click Done.
When you’re setting up the last computer, click Forget my network before clicking Done.

Clever

XtraMath integrates with Clever via an app in the Clever Library. Once an account is linked with Clever, students can sign in using either the XtraMath app within their Clever Portal or the Clever button on the Student Sign In page. This option is ideal if students are already signed into Clever. It’s not recommended if your class is using shared devices, because students may sign into the wrong account accidentally.

ClassLink

XtraMath also integrates with ClassLink, set up at the district or school level. Once an account is linked with ClassLink, students can sign in through ClassLink directly or by using the ClassLink button on the Student Sign In page. Similar to Clever, this is best for students already using ClassLink and not recommended for shared devices.

Google SSO

Students can sign into XtraMath using Google accounts. Note that XtraMath does not currently have an integration with Google Classroom, so each student account must be linked individually. The first time a student clicks the Google button on the Student Sign In page, they will need to provide their XtraMath credentials to link their Google account. This option is suitable for students who typically sign into Google, such as those using individual Chromebooks, but not recommended for shared devices.

Finding Student PINs

There are several ways to find a student's PIN:

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PDF Printout

When setting up student accounts, a PDF is generated with each student's name and PIN. The second part of the PDF is designed to be cut up or printed on address label stickers for easy distribution to students.

Individual Student Report

A student's PIN is always shown near the top of their online student report. Sign in to the family or educator account and go to the student report to find the PIN.

"Forgot Your PIN" Option

On the student sign-in page, there is a "Forgot your PIN" option.

Customizing XtraMath with Premium Features

With XtraMath Premium, educators can tailor fluency practice to their students’ exact needs instead of following the standard XtraMath sequence.

Custom Program: Operations

In a custom program, you can choose which operations will be included in the assigned program. The operations are completed one by one, in order, so if you choose Multiplication the student will just do multiplication, but if you choose Multiplication & Division they will do multiplication and, once they complete it, move on to division.

Operation options are currently:

Addition
Subtraction
Multiplication
Division
Addition & Subtraction
Addition, Subtraction & Multiplication
Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication & Division
Multiplication & Division

Custom Program: Problem Set

The problem set determines which facts will be practiced within each operation.

Problem set options are currently:

Beginning (currently for Addition and Subtraction only, includes facts that sum to 10 and their inverse)
Regular (all operations, facts up to 9’s)
Expanded (all operations, facts up to 12’s)

Custom Program: Fluency Threshold

The fluency threshold controls how long the student has to answer each problem. A smaller number means a more difficult program, as the student has less time to enter a fluent response. The timeout threshold is when the correct answer is shown during a quiz if the student has not entered a response yet.

Fluency threshold options are currently:

6 seconds (20 second timeout)
3 seconds (10 second timeout)
2 seconds (~7 second timeout)
1.5 seconds (5 second timeout)

Custom Program: Assessment Only Option

If you apply the Assessment Only setting to a student program, they will proceed from one operation’s placement quiz to the next. They will not do practices or progress quizzes, just placement quizzes.

Changing Programs for Students

Changing Programs for a Whole Class

Go to your class report and click on Change programs on the left side of the page.
In the Select Program dropdown, select the new program for the students. If you do not see your desired program in the dropdown list, select Custom Program and more options will appear. (If you do not see the Custom Program option, double-check your license status.)
Select the students who will be assigned the new program.
Click Change to assign programs. If changes to other students’ programs are still needed, make those changes. Otherwise, click Done.

XtraMath Programs by Grade Level

XtraMath offers suggested programs that align with both Common Core and Texas TEKS, following a developmentally appropriate progression from kindergarten through middle school, K-6. The structure builds fluency, fact mastery, and confidence while gradually reducing response time to strengthen automatic recall.

Kindergarten - First Grade (Ages 5-6)

Program: Beginning Addition & Beginning Subtraction
Timer Threshold: 12-second timer threshold
Practice: Adaptative Practice

Early learners focus on developing foundational skills in addition and subtraction. The "Beginning" problem set level introduces facts that sum up to 10. The 12-second fluency threshold allows them to practice without pressure, ensuring they have enough time to process number relationships, learn, and recall basic facts. This extended response time is particularly helpful as they develop number sense, processing speed, and fine motor skills for entering answers.

Teacher Tip: Before using XtraMath for fluency practice, students should first develop a strong conceptual understanding of basic math operations. Engaging in hands-on activities and teacher-led instruction helps build this foundation. Allowing students to solve problems without time pressure fosters confidence and prepares them for success with XtraMath.

First Grade Guide (Ages 6-7)

Program: Beginning Addition & Beginning Subtraction and/ or Regular Addition & Subtraction
Timer Threshold: 12-second timer threshold
Practice: Adaptative Practice

Students strengthen their fact fluency by mastering addition and subtraction facts with the "Beginning" problem set level, which introduces facts that sum up to 10. XtraMath follows a structured progression, first building confidence in addition before introducing subtraction as the inverse operation. This approach reinforces fact families, helping students recognize patterns and deepen their number sense. The 6-second fluency threshold encourages students to recall facts more quickly, moving beyond counting strategies and start developing fluency.

Teacher Tip: Reinforce fact families with visual models or number bonds and celebrate milestones by printing certificates or digital trophies for coloring.

Second Grade Guide (Ages 7-8)

Program: Regular Addition & Subtraction and/or Regular Subtraction (only)
Timer Threshold: 12-second timer threshold, gradually progressing to the 6-second timer threshold, or challenge gifted students with the 3-second threshold for automatic recall
Practice: Adaptative Practice

Students achieve automaticity with all addition and subtraction facts within 20, including fact families. Building on first-grade strategies, students focus on mastering subtraction while reinforcing their addition fluency. The 3-second threshold promotes true fluency, supporting one- and two-step word problems, mental math, and preparation for early multiplication.

Teacher Tip: Integrate fact families, visual strategies, and manipulatives. Use small-group rotations to target students at different levels and celebrate progress with a “Wall of Fame.”

Third Grade Guide (Ages 8-9)

Program: Beginning Multiplication & Division and/or Regular Multiplication & Division
Timer Threshold: 6-second timer threshold, progressing to 3-second timer threshold for automatic recall
Practice: Adaptative Practice

At this stage, students transition from basic fact fluency to mastering all four operations. Students refine multiplication and division fluency while reviewing addition and subtraction as needed. Fluency supports multi-digit calculations, problem-solving with larger numbers, and fractions introduction. Students apply automatic recall to more complex, multi-step word problems.

Teacher Tip: Use fact fluency to accelerate learning of fractions, decimals, and early algebra concepts. Differentiated small-group instruction ensures all learners remain challenged.

Fourth Grade (Age 9-10)

Program: Regular Multiplication & Division, Optional Regular Addition & Subtraction Review
Timer Threshold: 6-second timer threshold, progressing to 3-second timer threshold for true fluency
Practice: Adaptative Practice

Teacher Tip: Use fact fluency to accelerate learning of fractions, decimals, and early algebra concepts. Differentiated small-group instruction ensures all learners remain challenged.

Fifth Grade Guide (Ages 10-11)

Program: Expanded Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication & Division
Timer Threshold: 6-second timer threshold, progressing to 3-second timer threshold for true fluency
Practice: Adaptative Practice

Students consolidate all basic math facts across addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, including fact families and extended problem sets (up to 12s). Building on prior fluency, students focus on automatic recall, which supports multi-step word problems, fractions, decimals, and early pre-algebra concepts. XtraMath follows a structured progression, ensuring accuracy first with the 6-second threshold, then strengthening true fluency with the 3-second threshold. This fluency frees working memory for higher-order thinking, problem-solving, and real-world applications.

Teacher Tip: Pair fluency practice with multi-step problems, fraction exercises, or real-world scenarios available in the teacher’s resources page. Plus, celebrate milestones with digital trophies and certificates to boost engagement. Use the XtraMath Wall of Fame in your classroom or school hallway.

6th Grade & Middle School Guide (Ages 11-14+)

For students in 6th grade and above, XtraMath remains highly valuable, even after they have mastered the 5th-grade “Expanded” program. At this level, the focus shifts from maintaining fluency, building speed, and applying automatic recall to more complex math tasks.

Program: Use the Assessment-Only Program to identify any remaining gaps or weaknesses in basic facts. Expanded Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication & Division or Expanded Multiplication and Division (only)
Timer Threshold: 3-second timer threshold, progressing to 2-second timer threshold for true fluency
Practice: Adaptative Practice

Teacher Tip: Have students use their fluent math skills for real-world scenarios, such as calculating discounts, scaling recipes, or comparing quantities. Applying math facts in context reinforces relevance and builds confidence. Or Integrate activities that require using known facts for unknowns, like finding missing factors or solving simple equations.

XtraMath Terms Explained

Fluency: a student’s progress toward completing an operation in XtraMath.
Fluency Threshold: the amount of time students have to answer a problem.
Timeout: refers to the total amount of time the student has to enter the answer to a problem. Upon timeout, the answer is shown with an hourglass icon. The student must enter the answer to continue on to the next problem. The default six-second programs have a timeout of 20 seconds.
Operation: a mathematical process such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.
Beginning: A program containing a limited set of facts. Beginning Addition has only problems that add up to 10 or less, such as 3 + 7. Beginning Subtraction has their inverses, such as 10 − 3. Beginning Multiplication starts by multiplying by 0, 1, and 2 (doubling). Then, briefly explore multiplying numbers by 3 to 9 for the first few multiples, laying the groundwork for multiplication. Beginning Division focuses on dividing by 1 and 2, along with basic division using divisors up to 9. This helps students understand division as the inverse of multiplication.
Regular: a program containing all single digit facts. For example, Regular Addition facts go up to 9 + 9, and Regular Division facts go to 81 ÷ 9. If “Beginning” or “Expanded” is not specified, a program contains Regular facts.
Expanded: a premium program containing a larger set of facts. All expanded operations have facts up to 12s, such as 12 + 7 or 132 ÷ 11.
Equal sign (=): the symbol that shows what is on the left of the sign is exactly the same amount as what is on the right of the sign.

Getting Started with XtraMath

Placement Quiz (New Students Only)

When students first start XtraMath, they complete a Placement Quiz to assess their current fluency level. This process typically takes 2-3 days, and the results serve as a baseline for tracking progress throughout the program.

Introducing XtraMath to Students: Teachers can play the introductory video featuring Mr. C, the animated math coach, on a projector or TV from their dashboard. This video helps students understand how the program works and feel comfortable getting started.

Once the Placement Quiz is completed, XtraMath assigns an initial fluency score. This score gives teachers and parents a reference point to track student progress. After placement, students begin their daily XtraMath practice sessions.

Daily Session Structure

XtraMath sessions are short-about 10 minutes-and designed for daily fluency practice. Each session includes:

A Progress Quiz (first 2 minutes) - Measures student improvement and retention over time (long-term memory).
Two Practice Activities - Help students strengthen recall and develop automaticity in math facts

Fluency Threshold & Answering Math Facts

During each session, students answer math fact problems within a time limit (fluency threshold) set by the teacher. The goal is to help students develop quick recall and automaticity, allowing them to retrieve answers effortlessly rather than relying on calculation. To assist with pacing, an animated progress bar runs across the screen, visually indicating the time remaining for each question.

Teachers can choose to hide the timer for students who may feel anxious or pressured by the countdown, ensuring a more comfortable learning environment.

Fluency Threshold Options

By default, students have 6 seconds to answer each problem, but teachers can adjust this setting to meet individual learning needs:

3-Second Threshold: Encourages automatic recall, as research suggests answering within this time frame demonstrates fluency.
2-Second & 1.5-Second Thresholds: Designed for advanced students, including gifted learners and those using XtraMath for intervention.
12-Second Threshold: Ideal for early learners (K-2), students with disabilities, or those needing extra time to develop confidence.

Teachers can adjust these settings anytime in the “Change Programs” section of their dashboard

Tracking Progress

The Progress Quiz measures both improvement and long-term retention of math facts. Each day, the fluency score and fact matrix update, providing students with a clear snapshot of mastered and developing facts. These updates help teachers track student growth and determine where additional support may be needed

Fluency Matrix

The fluency matrix visually tracks a student’s progress and highlights areas for improvement:

Fluent Facts (Green): Facts that have been mastered.
Developing Facts (Yellow/Orange): Facts that are still being reinforced.
Needs Improvement (Red): Facts that require more practice.

Teachers and parents can monitor student progress in real time using the Class or Student Report, ensuring that students receive the support they need.

Practice Activities & Fluency Development

After the Progress Quiz, students engage in two Practice Activities designed to reinforce math fact learning and improve response speed while building fluency. XtraMath’s algorithm tailors practice to each student, using spaced repetition to enhance retention and strengthen math skills.

Mastery-Based Progression: When students consistently demonstrate fluency with a set of 10 facts, the program introduces more challenging ones.
Personalized Learning: This adaptive system adjusts to each student’s progress, using spaced repetition to promote long-term automaticity in math facts.

Awards and certificates

To keep students motivated, XtraMath awards trophies and certificates for milestone achievements:

Trophies: Earned at 50, 75, 95, and 100 mastery scores, displayed in their Student Report.
Certificates: Awarded when students master all facts in an operation (100 mastery score).

Teachers can print trophies for students to color, as well as certificates from the Class or Student Report to recognize and celebrate success.

Understanding XtraMath Icons

XtraMath uses icons to provide visual feedback and track student progress. Here's a guide to understanding these icons:

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