Math Academy is a comprehensive math program for grades 5 – 12, from upper-elementary math through advanced high-school courses. A one-time diagnostic places your child at exactly the right starting point, then the Learn tab serves a handful of tasks each day, lessons, reviews, quizzes and problem-solving, toward a daily XP goal, adapting as each topic is mastered. The XP shown in the app matches what you see in TimeBack.
How to log in
Apps in TimeBack log in automatically as standard. If the automatic login doesn't work, follow the steps below.
You can sign in with a username and password (your child's student email)- not single sign-on. TimeBack shows the credentials right before it launches.
Open TimeBack: Sign in to TimeBack with your child's student email and find the “Math - Math Academy” course on your “Home.”
Click Jump In: Open the "Math Academy" course and click Jump In. Your child's username and password appear just before the app launches; copy them.
Choose a username (first time) - Your child picks any username they like.
Getting Started
Take the diagnostic, then open Learn - A one-time diagnostic runs first (about 30–45 minutes, can be split up). After it, the Learn tab shows the day's tasks.
The placement diagnostic
The first login starts a diagnostic (~30–45 min) that places your child before lessons unlock. It needn't be one sitting.
Placement follows the highest math grade already mastered:
Mastered Grade 4 → Start with Grade 5 Diagnostic
Mastered Grades 5 – 7 → Start with Pre-Algebra Diagnostic
Mastered Grade 8 → Start with Integrated Math Honors Diagnostic.
The Key Rules:
Don't guess: if unsure, click “Don't Know.” A lucky guess can skip lessons your child actually needs.
Work at a steady pace (response time counts), finish each question before pausing, and answer honestly if asked whether a miss was a silly mistake.
Take Breaks if Needed: After you answer a question, you can pause the test by clicking the “X” button in the upper right corner.
Don’t Exit Mid-Question: If you leave in the middle of a question, it will be marked wrong. Always finish the question before taking a break or exiting.
Expect some wrong answers; the goal is to map what your child knows, not to score high. Sometimes, when the system marks your answer as incorrect, it will ask if it was a silly mistake or if you didn’t know the answer. Answer honestly
How a lesson & the daily goal work
After the diagnostic, the Learn tab shows about five tasks, lessons, reviews, quizzes, problem-solving, in any order.
Each lesson opens with a tutorial and worked example, then a practice section.
Tutorial Screen
Learn from the Example
Practice Section
Each task shows its XP (short ~7 XP, longer ~13 XP); the daily goal is 25 XP at 80%+ accuracy.
Read the explanation for every missed question.
100% accuracy earns bonus XP, and the app's XP matches TimeBack exactly.
How XP works
The daily goal is 25 XP at 80%+ accuracy (about 125 a week).
Each task shows its XP; 100% accuracy earns bonus XP, and a quiz unlocks every 150 XP.
The XP shown in the app matches TimeBack exactly.
Quizzes & how they work
A quiz unlocks every 150 XP, covering recent topics. Quizzes are timed, and your child can't look back at lessons during them, so they're best done in one sitting. Any missed topic becomes a review; after reviewing, the quiz can be re-taken for extra XP.
One thing to know as a parent: Math Academy can take away XP if it notices that you’re rushing or guessing.
What this means:
If the app sees you’re not really trying - for example, clicking answers quickly without reading - it might subtract XP.
The more often this happens, the bigger the penalty.
This is the app’s way of reminding you to slow down and focus.
Habits that lead to success
Don't guess; use “Don't Know” when unsure, especially on the diagnostic.
Work at a steady pace; rushing and guessing subtract XP.
Read each tutorial and worked example carefully before practicing.
Read the explanation for every missed question.
Write it down: Most math problems have more than one step. You can use a notebook to keep your work neat and organized.
Build a daily habit; aim for 25 XP a day rather than long, occasional sessions.
How to tell it's working
A steady 25 XP a day at 80%+ accuracy. The progress bubble shows how far through the course your child is, with an estimated completion date that moves with their pace. If XP is flat or going backward, it usually means rushing or guessing triggered penalties; slowing down and reading explanations is the fix.
Common Issues | FAQs
Where do I find Math Academy's username and password?
In TimeBack: open Math Academy under Math, click Jump In for the pop-up and copy the credentials. The first time, your child also chooses a Math Academy username.
What is the long test (“Prealgebra test”) at the start?
The one-time placement diagnostic (~30–45 min, can be split). Students at a 5th–7th-grade level run through the Prealgebra diagnostic to pinpoint where to start. Encourage “Don't Know” over guessing, and don't worry about the score.
My child's XP went down
Negative XP comes from rushing or guessing. It warns first, but repeated rushing subtracts XP. The remedy is to slow down and read the explanations. (100% accuracy earns bonus XP.)
How do the quizzes work?
One unlocks every 150 XP, covers recent topics, is timed, and can't be paused to look back at lessons. Missed topics become review; then re-take for extra XP.
How much should my child do each day?
Aim for 25 XP at 80%+ (about 125 a week). The Learn tab's ~five tasks can be done in any order.