Why you should read this before using IXL because it is HELL for your kids
There is many things bad about IXL but first, If you are using the USA ixl and in science. Sometimes, there may be a type of question like you have to finsh this much in a row. And the thing about that is if you get just a single question wrong and takes you to 0 smartscores again like give us a SECOND CHANCE or something. Lastly, about the smartscores again why does it take soooooo long to get to 100 smartscores. i mean you should make the same about when you get a question right it should be 4 points and when you get one wrong it should minus 4 points to or give a warning . Because every single time i get to 90 or above i only get 2 points when getting it right and when i get it wrong I minus like 5 points.i'm bring to up because I have gotten so frustated from it. Also thank you for reading and i hope you have changed your mind for letting your kid use IXL.
PA
Parker
worst app ever
worst app ever. takes long and is sooooo annoying i dont understand why this still exists having to do this everyday in the summer makes life bad cant wait to stop this stupid "learning program".
GR
gouthami R.
Why is ixl so crap and terrible for users to use
Scoring System and Progress Penalties
One of the primary complaints about IXL is its SmartScore system, which measures student progress from 0 to 100. The system is non-linear: early on, points accumulate relatively quickly, but as scores approach mastery (80–100), a single mistake can drop a student many points, sometimes undoing significant progress
. This creates a “digital do-over” effect where students spend a disproportionate amount of time trying to recover lost points, often practicing questions they already answered correctly
scienceinsights.org
+1
.
Emotional and Mental Health Impact
IXL’s structure can trigger stress, anxiety, and decreased motivation, particularly for students prone to perfectionism, ADHD, or math anxiety
. The constant evaluation and immediate feedback, while intended for learning, ties self-worth and confidence to scores rather than comprehension, which can lead to meltdowns, physical symptoms like stomachaches, and general disengagement from learning
.
Learning Design Limitations
Critics point out that IXL emphasizes repetitive, isolated drills rather than contextualized, conceptual understanding
. While it offers instant feedback and diagnostic insights, advanced topics and critical thinking skills are sometimes underrepresented, meaning a student might perform well on the platform yet still struggle on tests that phrase problems differently
. The rigid, one-size-fits-all approach can be especially challenging for neurodivergent students or those who process information at a slower pace
.
User Experience Issues
Students often describe the platform as frustrating and tedious, with long sessions required to reach proficiency, unclear or punishing grading mechanics, and emotional “burnout” from repeated errors
. Some report feeling like the platform effectively functions as a high-stakes exam embedded in everyday homework, which undermines intrinsic motivation
. Additionally, inconsistency across subjects and poorly explained instructions further diminish learning efficiency
.
Pros and Context
Despite these criticisms, IXL can provide valuable practice and diagnostic information when used appropriately, such as short, supervised sessions focused on skill reinforcement
. Its real-time feedback and breadth of subject coverage are useful for tracking progress, but effectiveness heavily depends on moderating time, adjusting scoring expectations, and using it as a supplemental rather than primary learning tool
.
Conclusion
IXL’s challenges stem mainly from its punitive scoring, high-pressure environment, and repetitive drill-focused approach, which can compromise motivation and mental health for many students. While it may benefit certain learners in small, structured doses, many students, especially those sensitive to stress or with learning differences, struggle under its default methods. Parents and educators often report better outcomes when they use alternatives like Khan Academy, Prodigy, or personalized tutoring that emphasize mastery without punitive grading
.
OP
Ojus P.
Bad app
Ixl sucks at work and math when I first tried it it wasn't all good.
VT
Vamsi T.
IXL has unarguably the worst way to…
IXL has unarguably the worst way to measure or sort of grade the assignments or whatever they are called. The ads lie so much, it makes you so irritated to your core. Anyways, I would actually rate this 0-stars but there is no 0-stars option so I had to pick one. The "SmartScore" system is really not so smart, as it decreases 20 points when you get a question wrong, but when you get a question right, it gives you 2 or 3 points. Also, there is NO way to escape this app, because it directly SNITCHES behind your back to your advisor how much you spent on the app. Do NOT believe in the people that say it is good, because it is NOT AT ALL GOOD AT ALL! I HIGHLY recommend you do NOT use this and just use Blooket or Khan Acad.
SH
Sterling H.
IXL SUCKS
IXL is absolutely horrible! It is SO boring and if you get a question right you get like 2 points and if you get one wrong you lose 1000 points. it is SOOOOO annoying and makes me very MAD! And it costs hundreds of dollars and nobody wants to do them.
SP
Spencer
It takes away too much "SmartScore" from answering one wrong question.
It gives around 2 smart score when nearing the end. Which wouldn't be a problem if it weren't for the fact it takes away much more of this smart score away when answering one single question. It has turned simple questions feel much harder and more stressful for my kids. Making them answer more incorrect answers and so on. If IXL could just change the incorrect amount by even 8, it would mean a lot.
D
저는 치킨을 좋.
WASTE OF TIME; AND MONEY!!!
I actually hate this. It gives me headaches, makes me cry, and is probably the root of my school-related mental health issues. Not only that, but the questions are infinite. It once took me 5 HOURS AND A HALF to do one lesson. DO NOT USE THIS; IT WILL BE A WASTE OF YOUR TIME AND A WASTE OF YOUR MONEY!!!