NLN NEX Math study plan
NLN NEX Math · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Arithmetic and Number Sense (operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions)
Compute sums, differences, products, and quotients with multi-digit whole numbers without a calculator, including long division with remainders.
Convert between improper fractions and mixed numbers and generate equivalent fractions for 20 given values.
Add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions and mixed numbers, reducing every answer to lowest terms.
Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals, tracking decimal-point placement and place value.
Your checkpoint
A 30-question self-written whole-number/fraction/decimal drill completed in 25 minutes with at least 85% accuracy, plus a list of every missed item rewritten correctly.
Arithmetic and Number Sense (operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions)
Convert among fractions, decimals, and percents for 25 values without a calculator.
Solve all three percent question types (missing part, missing whole, missing percent), including percent increase, percent decrease, discount, and sales tax.
Set up and solve proportions, including unit-rate and scale-drawing problems.
Solve multi-step ratio word problems by drawing part-whole (tape) diagrams before calculating.
Your checkpoint
A 25-question percents, ratios, and proportions quiz scored at 80% or better, with a written error log of at least 10 corrections explaining what went wrong on each miss.
Algebra (expressions, linear equations, inequalities, word problems)
Evaluate algebraic expressions by substituting integers and fractions, applying order of operations correctly.
Translate 15 English phrases and sentences into algebraic expressions and equations.
Simplify 20 expressions by combining like terms and applying the distributive property.
Solve one-step and two-step equations, including equations containing fractions and decimals.
Your checkpoint
A 20-item expression-and-translation quiz scored at 85% or better, with each translation item showing the original phrase beside the matching expression.
Algebra (expressions, linear equations, inequalities, word problems)
Solve multi-step linear equations with variables on both sides, including equations requiring distribution and clearing of fractions.
Solve and graph linear inequalities on a number line, flipping the inequality symbol when multiplying or dividing by a negative.
Translate and solve 10 word problems by defining a variable and writing a linear equation or inequality.
Rearrange formulas to isolate a specified variable.
Your checkpoint
A 25-question algebra test scored at 80% or better untimed, plus a 10-question timed set (15 minutes) scored at 70% or better.
Geometry and Measurement (perimeter, area, volume, unit conversion)
Compute perimeter and area of rectangles, triangles, parallelograms, trapezoids, and circles using the correct formulas.
Find the perimeter and area of composite figures by decomposing them into basic shapes.
Find a missing side length given the area or perimeter of a figure.
Solve applied perimeter and area problems (fencing, carpeting, painting) and label every answer with correct square or linear units.
Your checkpoint
A hand-written one-page formula sheet for all plane figures plus a 20-question perimeter-and-area quiz scored at 85% or better with units shown on every answer.
Geometry and Measurement (perimeter, area, volume, unit conversion)
Compute the volume of rectangular prisms, cylinders, cones, and spheres, selecting the correct formula for each solid.
Compute the surface area of rectangular prisms and cylinders.
Convert units within and between the customary and metric systems using dimensional analysis, choosing the correct conversion factor.
Solve multi-step measurement problems involving time, length, weight, and capacity, reporting answers in the requested unit.
Your checkpoint
A combined 25-problem set (15 unit conversions, 10 volume/surface-area problems) scored at 85% or better with all work and unit cancellation shown.
Data Interpretation and Basic Statistics (tables, graphs, averages, rates)
Read and interpret tables, bar graphs, line graphs, and circle graphs to answer 20 data questions, including finding totals and differences between categories.
Compute mean, median, mode, and range for data sets that include decimals and fractions.
Compute a weighted average and explain when it differs from a simple mean.
Solve rate problems involving unit rate, distance-rate-time, and work rate using proportions.
Your checkpoint
A 25-question data-and-statistics set scored at 80% or better, plus a short written summary of which data question type produced the most errors.
Arithmetic and Number Sense (operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions) & Algebra (expressions, linear equations, inequalities, word problems) & Geometry and Measurement (perimeter, area, volume, unit conversion) & Data Interpretation and Basic Statistics (tables, graphs, averages, rates)
Take two full-length timed practice tests under exam conditions with no calculator or notes.
Rework every missed question from the practice tests and from earlier error logs until each one is solved correctly twice.
Reconstruct the full formula and conversion reference sheet from memory and check it against the week 5 version.
Identify the three weakest remaining skills and drill 15 targeted problems per skill.
Your checkpoint
A final full-length practice test scored at 85% or better, submitted with a completed error analysis and a from-memory formula sheet.
Milestones
Week 2: Score 80% or better on a 25-question percents, ratios, and proportions quiz without a calculator; arithmetic and number sense are now at target accuracy.
Week 4: Score 80% or better on a 25-question algebra test covering expressions, multi-step equations, and inequalities; domains 1 and 2 are both at target before geometry begins.
Week 6: Score 85% or better on a combined 25-problem geometry and measurement set with correct units on every answer.
Week 8: Score 85% or better on a full-length timed practice test in all four domains, with zero unresolved items on the error log.