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• Singapore Math Reviews 2026: Is It a Good Choice for Your Kid?

Singapore Math Reviews 2026: Is It a Good Choice for Your Kid?

Looking up Singapore Math reviews is a good idea if you are researching an effective curriculum that can provide a solid math foundation for your kid. Being a tutor, I often get questions about Singapore Math as one of the best options in the field. So, I’ve decided to collect different feedback to help you decide if this particular method is the way to go for your kid. 

Score summary

• Core features: 9/10. Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) method and bar modeling help build a solid understanding of math.
• Learning method: 7/10. Mastery-based curriculum is great for students, but implies teachers’ or parents’ involvement.
• Overall effectiveness: 9/10. The program is helpful in developing critical thinking and mental math skills.
• Value for money: 8/10. While textbooks are not pricey, the costs might pile up due to the need for additional workbooks and guides.

⭐Overall rating: 8/10

Math & reading from 1st to 9th grade

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Rating methodology

Ratings in this review are based on a structured comparison across four criteria: core features, learning method, overall effectiveness, and value for money. Each criterion is evaluated using recurring patterns in publicly available user feedback from Reddit and other sources, alongside a factual review of the platform’s publicly stated features (program structure, tutor involvement, format, and pricing terms).

For example, a 10/10 score indicates consistently positive feedback across multiple sources with few repeated complaints, while a 5/10 reflects mixed user experiences and recurring limitations that materially affect a noticeable share of users. Final scores represent the overall balance between repeated strengths and repeated concerns across all criteria.).

What is Singapore Math? Background and philosophy

Singapore Math is a mathematics teaching method that the Ministry of Education in Singapore developed for its primary schools. After its implementation, Singaporean students started doing really well on international tests, which drew attention to this method and eventually made it popular worldwide. According to TIMSS results for mathematics achievements, Singapore still tops the charts.

A big thing about Singapore Math is that it doesn’t just focus on memorizing stuff. It’s more about understanding numbers and being able to “see” the math in your head. For teachers, it means teaching students why the answer is what it is, not just how to get it.

What is the Singapore Math method?

Singapore Math is a mathematics learning method based on a three-step approach called Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA). To put it simply, these three steps are set to help kids build a strong base in math knowledge by first using real objects (concrete stage), then drawings (pictorial stage), and finally, just numbers (abstract stage).

If we get into a little more detail, in the concrete stage, kids use things like blocks or fruit to learn things like subtraction or division. Once they get the idea, they move to the pictorial stage, where they use bar models to solve word problems. Finally, they get to the abstract step, where they only use numbers and symbols. So, the main idea behind all this is that kids don’t have to deal with hard math problems until they really understand the meaning behind them.

Singapore Math curriculum overview

First, let’s answer the question, “What is Singapore Math curriculum?”. Basically, the curriculum offers two main options: Dimensions Math and Primary Mathematics. 

• Dimensions Math is the newer, more visually appealing option that gives teachers many guides and assistance. Also, this option is more US-focused. 
• Primary Mathematics is the old-school original version that has been mostly used by families who choose to homeschool their kids. 

Both teach by really focusing on certain skills before going to the next level.

Is Singapore Math good for your child? Pros, cons, and fit

Figuring out if this method works for you depends on how your kid learns and how much you are willing and able to help them in the process. When people discuss Singapore Math pros and cons online, both good and bad comments come up. Before we move on to actual reviews, let’s dig a little deeper into the program’s essence.

Why use Singapore Math? Main features

Singapore Math is known for a few key things, like using bar models and focusing on mental math. Bar models help kids see what’s happening in multiplication and division, which can make tricky story problems seem way easier. Also, the textbooks don’t have a lot of extra stuff in them, unlike many American textbooks. This helps kids pay attention to what the lesson is really about and start thinking like mathematicians sooner.

Looking for real feedback on Singapore Math features, I found a Reddit discussion about bar modelling. Looks like it’s quite effective, but a kid might need additional explanation on how to apply different models and when.

⭐Rating: 9/10

I give the core features a high score since bar modeling seems to be very effective. However, I take one point away since, based on many reviews, this feature doesn’t work for every kid and parent.

Core advantages

In terms of pros, people mostly praise Singapore Math for helping kids get the logic behind math instead of just blindly learning how to do it by heart. Because it goes deeper into topics instead of trying to cover everything, kids usually feel more confident about their math skills than they do with other programs.

For example, one of the most recent Singapore Math curriculum reviews on the official website claims that Dimensions Math can help make math feel like an exciting game a kid actually cares for:

“I love [Dimensions Math]! My kids love this! They love doing math, ask to do math first, they’re excited about doing math.”

Another parent shares that the curriculum is focused on building the kids’ understanding of why a certain method works for solving a math problem rather than just giving a procedure:

“One curriculum that’s been a steady favorite is Singapore Math. It’s the only program I haven’t needed to tweak — truly open-and-go. What I love most is that it goes beyond procedures; it focuses on understanding. My kids aren’t just learning how to solve problems, but also why the methods work. I can easily see us sticking with this for the long haul.”

This and many other similar comments explain why Singapore Math is highly regarded for developing deep conceptual understanding.

As I switched to Reddit, I noticed many users talking about how learning with Singapore Math paid off later on. It seems that students who went on to study science or finance at a higher level found it especially helpful.

Someone else also on Reddit mentioned that it helped them in teaching and developing different math skills in elementary school.

What are the drawbacks of Singapore Math?

As for the most common complaints in reviews of Singapore Math, they are usually about the program requiring handling multiple books and the need for parent or teacher involvement. This review on The Well-Trained Mind forum shows that managing more than one book during one lesson can be quite stressful for parents.

A parent on Blue and Hazel also said that it’s not just the kids who have to learn a lot, but parents need to be organized to manage at least two books. This review is from 2021 which was updated later.

She also adds that you will most likely need a guide to help you figure out how much to do each day and navigate between books.

As I keep digging into complaints, I also found Reddit users mentioning that the mastery approach of Singapore Math implies that children will have the foundation of each topic before quickly moving to another. The problem is that it’s not always the case, and sometimes kids need more time and some retraining so that what they’ve learned really carves into their memory.

Another issue people mention in their Singapore Math reviews more than once is errors in the materials. For example, this user on Reviews.io claims to have found a frustrating number of mistakes in the books, even in the answer key.

Another user on Reddit also mentions errors, typos, and even deeper issues with the books.

⭐Rating: 7/10

I give this learning method a 7 out of 10 since it looks like it really helps kids become independent problem-solvers. I’m taking a few points away because, from what I’ve seen, the intense teacher involvement and using lots of books can be a bit much for some parents.

Singapore Math reviews: Deep dive into effectiveness

What I’ve noticed while going through different reviews is that many parents seem to really like Singapore Math because it gets their kids good results in school. This Singapore Math curriculum review says the program helped their kid to consistently perform above grade level in math.

However, keep in mind that for some kids, it may be too worksheet-heavy, like this          thread discusses. Although one user points out that if you’re homeschooling, you can always adapt.

As I was wondering what experts say about Singapore Math, I started looking for Singapore Math reviews by Cathy Duffy and came upon her Primary Mathematics 2022 edition review, where she claims it’s a bit slower and more up-to-date compared to the older version.

⭐Rating: 9/10

I’m giving the overall effectiveness a high score because having a solid base is super important for doing well in math later on. Yes, it can be fast-paced, but the focus on understanding numbers and really getting the ideas makes sure students are ready for harder classes.

How does Singapore Math work? User experience feedback

To answer the question, “How does Singapore teach math?”, it’s important to understand how a typical lesson goes. Usually, you will need to use a textbook, a workbook, and a guide. This setup is supposed to help kids learn on their own, but many parents who’ve tried Singapore Math at home seem to agree that the parent really needs to explain things at first.

One of Singapore Math homeschool reviews for 20124 lists Dimensions as one of wonderful resources for homeschoolers.

What users say about pricing

The pricing for the program is considered pretty reasonable. However, it all depends on how many materials you decide to get and for what grade. Textbook and workbook prices range between approximately $14-17, while guides are a little pricier, starting with around $20 and going up to $58 for a teacher’s guide. Overall, a full set of materials could cost up to $190.

However, looking at the total cost, some parents on Reddit find the curriculum to be a bargain when compared to the high monthly fees of professional learning centers. For example, this Singapore Math review mentions that the curriculum costs less for them than even Happy Numbers, which they also liked.

 

Another user points out that the newer editions can actually even be cost-effective since they provide so much material that you probably won’t see a need for extra books.

⭐Rating: 8/10

I give the curriculum a high value-for-money rating because of its quality materials and the option to buy individual books. However, I take a couple of points away because the full set price could be quite high.

Singapore Math alternatives: Which option fits your child best?

After some reviews, you may logically come to the question, “Is Singapore Math hard?” For some families, yes. That’s why I’ve prepared some alternatives to compare it to.

	Singapore Math	Brighterly	Saxon Math
Method	Mastery (CPA)	Interactive	Spiral
Format	Physical and online books	Online platform	Physical Books
Teacher role	Active teaching	Professional tutors	Facilitator
Conceptual depth	Very high	High	Moderate
Best for	Logical thinkers	All learners in grades 1-9	Repetition lovers

While I was looking for Singapore Math alternatives, I’ve noticed parents doing Saxon vs Singapore Math review a lot. Although both curricula have their strong sides, they both lack personalization and professional feedback that only a teacher or a tutor can provide.

Brighterly as an alternative

The Brighterly math and reading platform has experienced and professional math tutors who teach the subject to students from grades 1 through 9. The curriculum is not only aligned with the US state standards, but takes the best parts of the Singapore method, like conceptual clarity and strong number sense, and makes them accessible.

The best part is that you don’t need to be the teacher. Brighterly professionals provide online 1:1 math classes where they guide your child through everything. Here is one of many Trustpilot reviews praising the platform’s tutors. 

Their math program also offers engaging and visual math worksheets to help kids practice their skills in a fun way. There are also math tests developed to track the kid’s progress and see which areas may need more attention. It’s a good fit for busy parents who want a great education for their child without having to be in the role of a teacher.

Singapore Math reviews on Reddit: What parents really think about the platform

Singapore Math Reddit community is a great place where you can get honest feedback and hear about other people’s experiences. Most reviews are by parents who have chosen to homeschool their kids at least for several years. For example, this review shows that sticking to the “true methodology” can help a child achieve exceptional academic success.

If you wonder whether you might need some stuff besides the books, I found one Reddit comment mentioning that even though the logic is clear, you still need to have household supplies on hand.

However, others find the Dimensions series very intuitive and “open and go”, which helps their kids get better scores on standardized tests.

As I continued to explore Singapore Math reviews from the homeschool community, I’ve noticed that they seem to prefer the older versions of the program and find that combining Singapore with other mastery-based resources is the best solution.

Another parent on Reddit shares that one of the best things about the Singapore method is how detailed it is when kids are just starting out.

Verdict: Is Singapore Math really worth it?

Based on my analysis, I give Singapore Math the following ratings:

• Core features: 9/10
• Learning method: 7/10
• Overall effectiveness: 9/10
• Value for money: 8/10

⭐Overall rating: 8/10

Bottom line: The Singapore Math reviews 2025 – 2026 and some little older feedback mentioned above show that it’s great if you want your kids to really get into math and you’re ready to learn with them. But, if you think the textbooks need too much teaching from you, it might be better to pick a math program that gives you more help.

So, Singapore Math is a good option for you if:

✅ Your child is a visual learner

✅ You are ready to provide assistance when learning

✅ You’re organized and ok with handling more than one book at once

Singapore Math isn’t the best option for you if:

❌ Your kid likes learning without parent or teacher assistance.

❌ Struggles with fast-paced programs and need more repetitive curriculum.

Next steps: Help your child succeed in math with Brighterly

Based on Singapore Math curriculum reviews, I would say it usually works best for kids who like to really get into math and have parents who can help them along the way. But it might not be so good for families who don’t have a lot of time to spend on teaching.

If you want the benefits of the Singapore method without having to teach it yourself, Brighterly could be a good alternative.

With Brighterly tutoring, you will get personalized, one-on-one teaching in real time and top professionals who know how to teach effectively and keep the child excited about learning. Ready to give it a try? Book free lesson now.