Help & Guide

What is MathStep?

MathStep is a structured daily math practice app for children. It covers topics from basic addition through algebra, using short timed worksheets, instant marking, and step-by-step worked examples.

Who is it for?

Children roughly ages 7–14 who benefit from consistent, structured practice. Parents create and manage the account — students just open the app and practise.

How do parents and students use MathStep together?

Parents create the account, add their child, and check progress from Parent View (Dashboard). Students do their daily practice in Student View (Play page). The simplest routine: a parent logs in, taps "Hand over to child" on the dashboard, and gives the device to their child. Student View stays open, and the parent dashboard waits behind a 4-digit PIN until the parent taps it back in.

Does my child need their own email?

No. You sign up with your own email as a parent and add your child by first name. Your child never needs to create an account.

How do I set up a student?

Sign up as a parent, then enter your child's first name. From there you can choose Start at Level 1 or take a short placement quiz to find the right starting level. The whole setup takes a couple of minutes. MathStep also offers an optional 4-digit parent PIN you can set up now or later.

What is the placement quiz?

The placement quiz is a short set of questions (about 2 minutes) that helps MathStep recommend the right starting level. When it finishes, your child sees their score, the recommended level, and which answers were correct or need a bit more practice. It isn't a pass/fail test — just a friendly way to start at the right place.

Can I add more than one child?

Yes. Open Parent View and use Add a student. If you type a name that already belongs to one of your students, MathStep won't create a duplicate. If the name looks similar to an existing student — a typo or close spelling — MathStep will gently ask whether this is a new student before continuing.

Can I delete a student profile?

Yes. In Parent View, expand Admin controls and choose Delete student. You'll be asked to type the student's name to confirm. Deleting is permanent and removes that student's history, so the option is only available when you have more than one student on the account.

Who marks the answers?

MathStep marks every answer automatically the moment it's submitted. No manual checking needed.

How are the worksheets created?

MathStep generates worksheets automatically using built-in math rules for each topic and level. This keeps practice consistent and level-appropriate without any preparation from you. The app then marks answers instantly and tracks accuracy, time, and mastery over time.

How does the app help if my child gets stuck?

Each level has a worked example your child can refer to at any time. If they fail several sessions in a row, the app automatically offers easier warm-up problems from the previous topic to rebuild confidence before trying again.

What does "Review" mean on a worksheet?

Some worksheets include a few problems from topics your child has already mastered. These review questions help keep earlier skills sharp while they work on the current level.

What is Targeted Practice (Needs Practice)?

If MathStep notices repeated mistakes on a particular type of problem, it may suggest a short Targeted Practice run focused on that weak spot. These practice sessions help with tricky topics but don't change your child's current level — regular worksheets are what move them forward.

Where can I see my child's recent activity?

The Dashboard shows Recent Worksheets and Practice History — what was practised, when, and how it went. You'll also see streaks, accuracy, and milestones earned.

What is the difference between the parent view and student view?

The student view (Play page) is simple and focused — just the worksheet. The parent view (Dashboard) shows progress, recent sessions, accuracy trends, and settings like adjusting the starting level.

Can my child access Parent View?

If you set up an optional 4-digit parent PIN, the parent dashboard, feedback page, and student-add screens all stay tucked away in Student View. If your child taps something parent-only, they see a friendly "Ask a parent" helper asking for the PIN — they can't get into the dashboard without it. Without a PIN set, both views share the same family login as before.

How do I set up a parent PIN?

Open the dashboard, expand Admin controls, and tap "Set up PIN". Enter a 4-digit number, confirm it, and you're done. You'll also be offered the option during initial onboarding — you can skip it then and add it later. The PIN is stored securely (hashed) and only ever needs to be re-entered to leave Student View.

How does Student Mode work?

Once you've set a PIN, the dashboard shows a "Hand over to child" button. Tapping it opens Student View and politely tucks the parent dashboard away. Your child can keep using Play and worksheets freely. If they tap something that's only for parents, MathStep gently asks for the PIN before showing it. Tapping the PIN in unlocks the parent area for the rest of the session.

What if I forget my PIN?

Parents can log out from the PIN screen, log back in with their email and password, and reset the PIN from Parent View.

Will MathStep email me?

MathStep can send two optional emails. The daily reminder is off by default — when turned on, it's only sent on days your child hasn't practised yet. The weekly progress email is on by default and arrives Sunday evening with a short recap of practice days, worksheets, accuracy, current focus, and any new milestones or weak areas. You can turn either off anytime from Parent View → Admin controls, or with the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email.

Is MathStep a live tutor or just worksheets?

Neither — it's a guided practice system. MathStep teaches with worked examples, marks answers instantly, offers self-correction after each session, and provides warm-up support when a student is struggling. Parents can also see progress and step in when a topic needs more explanation.