A test for every unit
Every unit ends with a test of at least 15 questions. The score goes into your parent reports and the homeschool report.
KidUniversity › Homeschool › Mastery
A mastery-based online curriculum, K–12
KidUniversity is a mastery-based curriculum: by default, the next unit opens only after your child scores 85% or more on the unit test. Below that, they review the lessons behind the questions they missed and retake the test, in a new order, as often as they need, and their best score counts. Parents can set the goal to 70, 80, 85 or 90%, or let a child move on, and it's noted in the reports.
On every plan: the mastery gate works the same on the free plan (Unit 1 of every course) and on KidUniversity Plus.
What you get
60 full-year courses for grades K–12, with 9,531 lessons and 1,269 unit tests.
An 85% goal to move on
The next unit opens once your child shows they've got it. Parents can change the goal to 70, 80, 85 or 90%.
Review, then retake
"Practice these, then try again": the lessons behind the missed questions come first, then a retake with the questions in a new order. The best score is kept.
The research behind it → Mastery you can trust
How the mastery gate works
Start where your child is
A check-up of about 10 minutes per subject finds which units your child already knows, and the study plan puts the units that need work first.
Learn the unit
Each lesson is one school day: a short explanation, a worked example and practice, with hints after a wrong try.
Take the unit test
At 85% or more (or the goal you set), the next unit opens.
Not yet? Review and retake
Your child practices the lessons behind the missed questions, then retakes the test as often as they like, in a new order. The best score counts.
Parents stay in charge
You know your child best. In Grown-ups → Unit tests and moving on you can:
Set the goal
Choose 70, 80, 85 or 90% for the unit test. 85% is the default.
Let a child move on
With your password, a child can move on without reaching the goal. Every override is logged and shown in the reports.
See every score
Unit-test scores show in the parent report, and the report lists the lessons worth another look.
More on how mastery fits a homeschool year: Homeschool with KidUniversity.
Mastery questions
What does mastery-based mean in KidUniversity?
Your child moves to the next unit after showing they've learned this one. By default, the next unit opens after a score of 85% or more on the unit test.
What happens if my child scores below 85%?
KidUniversity shows the lessons behind the questions they missed ("Practice these, then try again"). They can retake the test as many times as they like, with the questions in a new order. Their best score is kept.
Can I change the 85% goal?
Yes. In Grown-ups → Unit tests and moving on, you can set the goal to 70, 80, 85 or 90%.
Can I let my child move on anyway?
Yes. A parent can let a child move on with their password. Every override is logged and shown in the reports.
Is the mastery gate on the free plan too?
Yes. It works the same on every plan. The free plan includes Unit 1 of every course, and KidUniversity Plus unlocks every unit for the whole family. See pricing.
Why 85%?
Our research page explains the learning research behind check-ups, mastery and retakes, and its honest limits. Read about mastery.
More for homeschool families
See the mastery gate for yourself
Unit 1 of every course is free, with its unit test. Or try the full program free for a week: the first 25 families, while spots last.