A user recently asked us a great question: "How does the system decide when to make a question harder versus breaking it down into steps?"
The short answer: it depends on your mastery score per topic. And the key word is per topic. The same student can get pushed harder in Algebra while getting patient, step-by-step help in Geometry, all in the same session.
The Decision Logic
Every topic you practice (Algebra, Geometry & Trig, Problem Solving, etc.) has a mastery score from 0 to 1. It's calculated simply: questions you got right divided by total questions answered in that topic. As you answer more questions, this number becomes more reliable.
Here's what happens at each level:
An Example: Same Student, Different Treatment
Say your profile looks like this after a few tests:
Your next test would have challenging Algebra problems (maybe multi-step systems of equations), moderate Advanced Math, and gentler Geometry questions focused on building the basics. If you get a Geometry question wrong, the "Learn This" button takes you through it step by step.
What Happens After Learning Mode?
After you complete a step-by-step walkthrough, the system generates 2-3 similar practice problems at the same difficulty level. Get those right, and your mastery score ticks up. As it crosses 50%, then 60%, then 80%, the system naturally shifts from "help you learn" to "push you further."
It's not a sudden switch. The transition is gradual. You won't wake up one day and suddenly face impossible questions. Every step up is earned and calibrated.
Why This Matters for Your Score
Static practice tests treat every topic the same for every student. You waste time on questions that are too easy (boring) and get demoralized by questions that are too hard (frustrating). Neither moves your score.
Adaptive difficulty keeps you in the productive zone for every topic. That's where actual learning happens, and it's why personalized practice is more effective per hour than grinding through generic tests.