Column Subtraction vs MN Executive Function Scale
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Column Subtraction
This educational app teaches and reinforces the column subtraction method. It offers an interactive interface with customizable settings for solving random or custom problems. The app includes a puzzle feature that unlocks as users solve math problems.
- Column subtraction method teaching
- Interactive and customizable interface
- Random and custom problem solving
- Adjustable number of digits
- Step-by-step renaming animation
- Picture puzzle reward system
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Column Subtraction helps students learn and practice the column subtraction method step by step. The app aligns the numbers automatically so students can focus on solving each column. Renaming is animated visually, helping students understand how values are moved between columns. Renaming can be done automatically or manually, and renaming over several columns is supported. Students can solve randomly generated problems or enter their own subtraction problems. The number of digits can be adjusted, making the app useful for different skill levels. Column subtraction is also known as columnar subtraction, long subtraction, or longhand subtraction. Renaming is also known as regrouping, trading, or borrowing. Features: - Subtract 2 or 3 numbers - Each number can have 1–5 digits - Randomly generated or manually entered problems - Automatic number alignment - Manual or automatic renaming/regrouping - Supports renaming over several columns - Current operation for each column can be hidden - Operands of the current operation can be highlighted - Adjustable animation speed - Different interfaces for iPhone and iPad - 25 six-piece animal jigsaw puzzles - Puzzle feature can be turned on or off Reviews and Endorsements: Professor Tim Pelton, assistant professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Victoria: “If your goal is to help your child to master the traditional subtraction algorithm then Column Subtraction may be the ideal App.” “With the ‘show current operation’ option turned on, they are constantly reminded of the next step, which can lead to efficient practice of the procedure. Then by turning off the current operation your child is able to practice remembering the steps on his/her own.” Teacher endorsement: “The Math apps by Esa Helttula allow students to practice and reinforce the specific computation strategies taught in class, with as much or as little scaffolding as necessary. They also provide individualized feedback to each student, with an immediacy that is not always possible through pencil and paper practice.” — Rita Zeni, Ecole Sandy Hill Elementary, Abbotsford, BC, Canada Other iDevBooks Math Apps: Other iDevBooks math apps include Column Addition, Long Division, Long Multiplication, Lattice Multiplication, Visual Multiplication Table, Fraction Math, Partial Differences Subtraction, Partial Quotients Division, Partial Sums Addition, and more. Feedback: New ideas to make this app better are welcome. Please visit idevbooks.com to give feedback. Privacy: This app has no ads, no in-app purchases, and does not transmit user data during operation. The app also does not contain links to other apps or to the web.
MN Executive Function Scale
This app provides a brief, standardized assessment of executive function skills for ages 2 and up. Developed by neuroscience experts, it uses an engaging virtual card-sorting game to measure cognitive flexibility, working memory, and inhibitory control. Results are accessible via a secure web portal for tracking growth and early detection of difficulties.
- Standardized executive function assessment
- Virtual card-sorting game
- Adaptive to individual ability
- Measures cognitive flexibility, working memory, inhibitory control
- Secure web portal for score access and tracking
- Early detection of EF difficulties
- Formative assessment for educational programs
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The Minnesota Executive Function Scale (MEFS) is a subscription service for assessing executive function skills using a brief, standardized instrument administered on an iPad®. Executive function refers to the neuro-cognitive skills needed for successful learning and performance in school, at work, and in life. They include cognitive flexibility, working memory, and inhibitory control. How does the MEFS work? The MEFS is easy to use, but is intended to be administered only by trained and certified examiners. That is how you can be sure the MEFS results and norms are reliable and valid. The App will be fully accessible to subscribing organizations with secure login credentials provided by Reflection Sciences upon signed user license agreement. FEATURES + Created by leading research experts in developmental neuroscience + Early childhood version designed for ages 2-7 + Select an avatar to play along + Virtual card-sorting game with 7 levels of challenge + Intuitive drag and drop responses + Adaptive to individual EF ability + Takes 3 to 7 min to complete (average 4 min) + Reliable, valid, and normed + Backed by a secure web portal to immediately access scores and track growth on individuals or groups + Screening provides early detection of potential EF difficulties + Formative assessment complements educational curricula and programs designed to improve EF skills + Youth and Adult U.S. norms based on over 34,000 individuals
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: MN Executive Function Scale at Free against Column Subtraction's $3.99. MN Executive Function Scale also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 8 months) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.6). Column Subtraction's advantage is rating (4.3 vs 3.0) and review sentiment (67% vs 50%). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
MN Executive Function Scale is free to download; Column Subtraction costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Column Subtraction holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 2 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Column Subtraction's written reviews are positive against 50% of MN Executive Function Scale's.
Column Subtraction ships an update every 8 months, MN Executive Function Scale every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Column Subtraction | MN Executive Function Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.3 (6 ratings) — better | 3.0 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 6 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid — better | Subscription |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 31 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Esa Helttula | Reflection Sciences LLC |
Customer experience
Column Subtraction
MN Executive Function Scale
In-app purchases
Column Subtraction
No in-app purchases
MN Executive Function Scale
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Column Subtraction free?
Is MN Executive Function Scale free?
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