Program Settings

Program settings determine which math facts a student practices, how much time they have to answer, and how their practice program is structured. For step-by-step instructions on updating these settings for a student or a whole class, see How do I change a student's program?

What Each Setting Means

• Operation: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division
• Timer Threshold: Set the time limit for each answer (12s, 6s, 3s, 2s and 1.5s). A shorter threshold helps build fluency, while a longer time gives students more time to think  (learn how this impacts practice here). ‍
• Difficulty Level: Beginning, Regular, Expanded (based on matrix size and number of operations)‍
• Program Length: Adaptive Practice includes quizzes followed by personalized practice, while Placement Quiz checks the student’s current level without additional practice.

You can also open the Suggested Programs page here for recommendations and details.

What happens if I use the free version?

With the free version, some of the "custom" options aren't available — you'll see them grayed out with the XtraMath License icon, marking them as features that require a license.

Operation settings also work differently on free accounts. Instead of freely choosing a single operation, students follow a full preset program built around prerequisite skills:

• If you assign Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction are automatically included too, since multiplication builds on those foundational skills. The program covers all three operations together — you can't isolate just Multiplication on its own.
• Addition is the one exception: since it's the foundational operation everything else builds on, it can be assigned by itself.

This preset structure exists to make sure students have the prerequisite skills in place before tackling a more advanced operation. If you need finer control — for example, to assign just one operation for review, or skip ahead based on assessment results — an XtraMath License unlocks fully custom programs, letting you choose any single operation or combination.

What happens if I have a Parent plan?

If you have a Parent plan (Free or with a license), it currently works the old way but will soon be updated to match the Teacher view.