MobyMax Research — Does It Really Work?
Independent research proves MobyMax helps students gain one full grade level in just 20 hours of work. Here's the science behind it — and why it works for South African families.
What Is "Prove 20"?
The Core Finding
Hours of MobyMax = 1 Full Grade Level Improvement
That's just 30 minutes per week over a school year.
In 2018, MobyMax conducted a large-scale experimental study with over 4,000 students across 230 classrooms in the United States. The results were independently verified and qualify as ESSA Tier 1 "Strong Evidence" — the highest level of evidence under the Every Student Succeeds Act.
📊 Study Size
4,000+ students across 230 classrooms — meeting ESSA's requirement for a large, multi-site sample (350+ students or 50+ classrooms).
🔬 Methodology
Randomised control experimental study — the gold standard for educational research. Students were randomly assigned to MobyMax or control groups.
📈 Effect Size
0.875 for Language and 0.702 for Maths — equivalent to approximately 40 extra weeks of learning compared to students not using MobyMax.
✓ ESSA Tier 1
The highest evidence rating available. Most other educational software only achieves Tier 2 or lower — or has no independent research at all.
Head-to-Head Comparison
When compared to other leading educational solutions, MobyMax shows a significantly larger effect size. This means students using MobyMax learn faster and retain more.
MobyMax effect size (0.702–0.875) compared to other leading solutions. Source: MobyMax Research Study, 2018.
What Does "Effect Size" Mean?
Effect size measures how much of a difference an intervention makes. In educational research:
- 0.2 = Small effect (noticeable but modest improvement)
- 0.5 = Medium effect (meaningful improvement)
- 0.8+ = Large effect (substantial, significant improvement)
MobyMax's effect sizes of 0.702 (Maths) and 0.875 (Language) are considered large effects — equivalent to approximately 40 extra weeks of learning growth. Most competing products show effect sizes below 0.4.
Download the Research Studies
Read the full research papers yourself. These independent studies document the methodology, sample sizes, and detailed findings.
Maths Research Study
Complete findings on MobyMax's impact on student maths achievement, including methodology and statistical analysis.
Download Maths Study (PDF)Language Research Study
Complete findings on MobyMax's impact on student language arts achievement, including methodology and statistical analysis.
Download Language Study (PDF)💡 Why This Matters: Most educational software has no independent research at all. MobyMax is one of the few platforms with ESSA Tier 1 evidence — the gold standard for proving educational effectiveness.
Why This Matters for South African Families
The research was conducted in the US, but the findings are especially relevant for South African learners. Here's why:
📉 The SA Learning Gap
South African students typically test 2-3 years behind international standards. When our Grade 8s take MobyMax placement tests, most place at Grade 4-5 level. This isn't a reflection of intelligence — it's a curriculum gap.
🎯 Finding Missing Skills
MobyMax's "find and fix" approach identifies exactly which foundational skills are missing. Instead of struggling with Grade 8 maths without Grade 5 foundations, students build up systematically.
🌍 International Standards
MobyMax aligns to international standards (Common Core, NGSS), not CAPS. This means South African students using MobyMax are building skills that match global expectations — essential for international exams like SAT, Cambridge, or university abroad.
⚡ Rapid Catch-Up
The "20 hours = 1 grade level" finding is even more powerful for students with larger gaps. MobyMax's research showed that students with the biggest learning gaps showed the most improvement.
The 40% Benchmark Pattern
When South African students first take MobyMax placement tests, we consistently see them scoring around 40% benchmark — meaning they're working at about 40% of their supposed grade level. This is normal and expected. Within months of consistent MobyMax use, those scores climb steadily as gaps are filled.
Our Results in South Africa
We've been using MobyMax exclusively at Ambition International School for over 3 years. Here's what we've seen:
What Parents Are Saying
Want to see more reviews? Check out our MobyMax Review page or our Google Reviews.
Award-Winning & Research-Proven
MobyMax isn't just backed by research — it's also the most awarded educational technology platform in history, with 260+ awards over the past 8 years.
Ready to See the Results for Yourself?
Try MobyMax with your child for 14 days — completely free. See the placement test identify gaps, watch the adaptive learning in action, and get your first weekly progress report.
No credit card required. No obligation. Just results.