Math Pathways
From 3rd grade multiplication to AP Calculus BC in 11th grade. Each grade shows the accelerated course, free curriculum, practice tests, paid boosters and the contests to enter.
Where each track goes, grades 3–12
| Grade | Standard | Accelerated (GiftedGlobe path) | Double-accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Grade 3 math | Grade 3 + Beast Academy 3 | Grade 4 math |
| 4 | Grade 4 math | Grades 4–5 compacted | Grade 5–6 compacted |
| 5 | Grade 5 math | Grade 6 math | Grade 7 math |
| 6 | Grade 6 math | Grade 7 math | Pre-Algebra |
| 7 | Grade 7 math | Pre-Algebra (grade 8 content) | Algebra 1 |
| 8 | Grade 8 math | Algebra 1 | Geometry |
| 9 | Algebra 1 | Geometry | Algebra 2 |
| 10 | Geometry | Algebra 2 → Precalculus | Precalculus |
| 11 | Algebra 2 | AP Calculus BC | AP Calculus BC |
| 12 | Precalculus | Multivariable calculus / AP Statistics | Multivariable / Linear algebra |
Multiplication, fractions and compacting. Most students move one grade ahead by 5th grade.
Grade3
Math · Grade 3Grade 3 + Beast Academy 3
Learn multiplication, division and fractions, and start regular contests.
Grade 3 + Beast Academy 3
Learn multiplication, division and fractions, and start regular contests.
Understand the pathway
What this year coversThird grade introduces multiplication, division and fractions, the base for all later acceleration. Strong students start compacting grade 4 topics by spring.
- Multiplication & division
- Fractions on a number line
- Area & perimeter
- Rounding
- Two-step word problems
- Time & measurement
Next stopReady to compact grades 4–5 when multiplication facts are automatic and the Khan Academy 3rd grade course challenge is mastered.
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Accelerated curriculumPractice & test
Practice sites and benchmark testsBoost
Paid programs, tutors and test prepCompete
Contests and showcases for this grade
Grade4
Math · Grade 4Grades 4–5 compacted
Cover grade 4 and grade 5 math in one year.
Grades 4–5 compacted
Cover grade 4 and grade 5 math in one year.
Understand the pathway
What this year coversFourth grade is the usual starting point for formal acceleration. Students compact grades 4 and 5 so they reach grade 6 math in 5th grade and Algebra 1 in 8th.
- Multi-digit multiplication
- Long division
- Equivalent fractions
- Decimals
- Angles & geometry
- Factors & multiples
Next stopReady for grade 6 math when both the 4th and 5th grade Khan Academy course challenges are mastered.
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Accelerated curriculumPractice & test
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Paid programs, tutors and test prep
Grade5
Math · Grade 5Grade 6 math
Work on ratios and negative numbers a year early and try AMC 8 problems.
Grade 6 math
Work on ratios and negative numbers a year early and try AMC 8 problems.
Understand the pathway
What this year coversFifth graders on the accelerated path take grade 6 math: ratios, negative numbers and early expressions. Many also finish Beast Academy and move to AoPS Prealgebra.
- Ratios & rates
- Fraction division
- Negative numbers
- Expressions & equations
- Area & volume
- Statistics
Next stopReady for grade 7 math when the Khan Academy 6th grade course challenge is mastered.
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Accelerated curriculumPractice & test
Practice sites and benchmark testsBoost
Paid programs, tutors and test prepCompete
Contests and showcases for this gradePre-Algebra and Algebra 1 by 8th grade, plus MATHCOUNTS and AMC 8.
Grade6
Math · Grade 6Grade 7 math
Take grade 7 math and join the first middle school contest teams.
Grade 7 math
Take grade 7 math and join the first middle school contest teams.
Understand the pathway
What this year coversSixth grade on the accelerated path covers proportional relationships and rational numbers from grade 7. It is also the first year of MATHCOUNTS.
- Proportional relationships
- Rational number operations
- Equations & inequalities
- Scale drawings
- Probability
- Circles
Next stopReady for Pre-Algebra when the Khan Academy 7th grade course challenge is mastered.
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Accelerated curriculumPractice & test
Practice sites and benchmark testsBoost
Paid programs, tutors and test prepCompete
Contests and showcases for this grade
Grade7
Math · Grade 7Pre-Algebra
Cover the grade 8 standards so Algebra 1 starts in 8th grade.
Pre-Algebra
Cover the grade 8 standards so Algebra 1 starts in 8th grade.
Understand the pathway
What this year coversSeventh grade finishes the middle school standards early: linear equations, functions and the Pythagorean theorem, everything that leads into Algebra 1.
- Linear equations
- Linear functions & slope
- Systems basics
- Exponents & scientific notation
- Transformations
- Pythagorean theorem
Next stopReady for Algebra 1 when the Khan Academy 8th grade course challenge and IXL Grade 8 diagnostic both show mastery.
Learn
Accelerated curriculumPractice & test
Practice sites and benchmark testsBoost
Paid programs, tutors and test prepCompete
Contests and showcases for this grade
Grade8
Math · Grade 8Algebra 1
Take high school Algebra 1 a year early and start building contest depth.
Algebra 1
Take high school Algebra 1 a year early and start building contest depth.
Understand the pathway
What this year coversAlgebra 1 is the gateway course. A strong year here opens Geometry in 9th grade and keeps the path to AP Calculus BC open by 11th grade.
- Linear equations & inequalities
- Systems of equations
- Functions & graphs
- Exponential growth
- Polynomials & factoring
- Quadratics
Next stopReady for Geometry when the Khan Academy Algebra 1 course challenge is mastered and the school Algebra 1 end-of-course exam is passed.
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Accelerated curriculumPractice & test
Practice sites and benchmark testsBoost
Paid programs, tutors and test prepCompete
Contests and showcases for this gradeGeometry through AP Calculus BC, plus the AMC → AIME → USAMO track.
Grade9
Math · Grade 9Geometry
Learn proof and spatial reasoning, and move into high school contests.
Geometry
Learn proof and spatial reasoning, and move into high school contests.
Understand the pathway
What this year coversGeometry adds formal proof, the core skill behind olympiad math. Accelerated students often preview Algebra 2 over the summer so 10th grade can reach Precalculus.
- Proof & logic
- Congruence & similarity
- Right-triangle trigonometry
- Circles
- Coordinate geometry
- Probability
Next stopReady for Algebra 2 when the Khan Academy Geometry course challenge is mastered and proofs can be written without a template.
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Accelerated curriculumPractice & test
Practice sites and benchmark testsBoost
Paid programs, tutors and test prepCompete
Contests and showcases for this grade
Grade10
Math · Grade 10Algebra 2 → Precalculus
Finish Algebra 2 and reach Precalculus so AP Calculus lands in 11th grade.
Algebra 2 → Precalculus
Finish Algebra 2 and reach Precalculus so AP Calculus lands in 11th grade.
Understand the pathway
What this year coversTenth grade sets up the finish. Students who complete Algebra 2 and Precalculus can take AP Calculus BC in 11th grade and multivariable calculus after that.
- Polynomial & rational functions
- Exponentials & logarithms
- Trigonometric functions
- Sequences & series
- Complex numbers
- Vectors & matrices
Next stopReady for AP Calculus when the Khan Academy Precalculus course challenge is mastered.
Learn
Accelerated curriculumPractice & test
Practice sites and benchmark testsBoost
Paid programs, tutors and test prepCompete
Contests and showcases for this grade
Grade11
Math · Grade 11AP Calculus BC
Take AP Calculus BC a year early and aim for AIME and olympiad rounds.
AP Calculus BC
Take AP Calculus BC a year early and aim for AIME and olympiad rounds.
Understand the pathway
What this year coversEleventh grade is the peak contest and testing year: AP Calculus BC, the SAT or ACT, and the AMC 12 → AIME → USAMO track. Summer research programs open up now.
- Limits & continuity
- Derivatives & applications
- Integrals & applications
- Differential equations
- Series
- Parametric & polar
Next stopReady for multivariable calculus with a 5 on AP Calculus BC.
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Accelerated curriculumPractice & test
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Paid programs, tutors and test prep
Grade12
Math · Grade 12Multivariable calculus / AP Statistics
Go beyond AP with college-level math or statistics.
Multivariable calculus / AP Statistics
Go beyond AP with college-level math or statistics.
Understand the pathway
What this year coversSeniors who finished AP Calculus BC take multivariable calculus, linear algebra or AP Statistics, often through a local college or online. Contest results and research strengthen college applications.
- Partial derivatives
- Multiple integrals
- Vector calculus
- Matrices & linear maps
- Statistical inference
- Proof writing
Next stopReady for college math placement beyond Calculus 2.
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Accelerated curriculumPractice & test
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Paid programs, tutors and test prepGiftedGlobe is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organizations, contests or products linked on this site. Names are trademarks of their owners. Check each organization’s site for current eligibility, fees and dates. Families should choose acceleration with their child’s school and teachers.