$Math assesment$

Mathematics Placement Assessment

Your next step to becoming a Sun Devil includes taking a math placement assessment.

This is not a test — the assessment helps us place you in the correct math class. If you are unhappy with your first score, don’t worry; you have two more attempts to try again.

If you have any questions about your math placement, please connect with your academic support team through My ASU.

Overview:

This assessment is to be completed by you alone. No one else should be in the room with you and you should receive no outside assistance. This helps to ensure an accurate assessment of your current mathematical skills.
You will have two hours to complete the assessment. You cannot save your place and return later.
There are computer system requirements listed on the FAQ tab that you should review. You are required to install LockDown Browser and need a working webcam to access the assessment.
If you’re unsure of how to input an answer, or need help while taking the assessment, click the Help button. Using this will not impact your results.
Once complete, your math assessment score will be displayed in the ALEKS system.
Please allow 24–48 hours after taking the assessment for your score to be usable for registration.

Getting started:

When you are ready to begin, click the “take assessment” button below.
Enter your ASURITE User ID and password upon login. Confirm your contact information.
Answer the survey questions about your last math class.
Complete the tutorial about math palette tools.
Download and install LockDown Browser.

Lastly, don’t stress, just do your best!

ASU’s password for the math placement assessment is: ARIZONASTATE1

Take assessment

Accommodations

Please contact Student Accessibility and Inclusive Learning Services at 480-965-1234 or email student.accessibility@asu.edu if you need accommodations to complete the math assessment.

ASU’s academic integrity policy

Cheating on an academic evaluation is a violation of the ASU’s academic integrity policy. If you are found to be in violation, academic sanctions will be imposed.

For general questions regarding the math placement, email placement.math@asu.edu.

Use your score to determine which math class you are eligible to enroll in at ASU.

Math placement assessment score	Math course placement
0–60	MAT 142: College Mathematics or MAT 117: College Algebra (Whichever your major requires.)
61–75	MAT 119: Finite Mathematics MAT 170: Precalculus MAT 171: Precalculus: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) MAT 210: Brief Calculus MAT 251: Calculus for Life Sciences STP 226: Elements of Statistics STP 231: Statistics for Life Science






76–100	MAT 265: Calculus for Engineers I MAT 270: Calculus with Analytic Geometry I

How do I view my score?

You can view your math assessment score through the ALEKS system. Sign in to your account and then navigate to “Reports/Placement Results” to view your score.

You can also find your score on My ASU. Sign in to My ASU, and click on “Grades and Transcripts” in the My Classes box. Then click on “Transcripts and Test Scores” and finally “Placement/Admission Scores.” It takes 24–72 hours after completing the math assessment for scores to post to My ASU.

I am unhappy with my first score.

You have two more attempts to improve your score, for a total of three completed math assessments.

My score is in the 0 to 45 range.

You will still be able to enroll in MAT 142 or MAT 117. However, you are encouraged to complete the ALEKS prep modules before your math course begins.

My major requires math beyond MAT 117 or MAT 142, but my score is within 10 points below 61 or 76.

You are encouraged to complete the ALEKS prep module for precalculus or calculus and then retake the math assessment with one of your two remaining attempts.

My score is higher than 60. My major map recommends taking MAT 142. Do I have to take a higher math class because of my score, or can I still take MAT 142?

ASU’s majors require a math placement assessment to determine the appropriate math course to enroll in. Students whose major does not require MAT 117, MAT 170 or higher can take MAT 142, which is not a prerequisite for any other mathematics course.

Is MAT 142 more difficult than MAT 117 and MAT 119 since it is a higher number?

No, these courses review different concepts. MAT 142 applies basic college-level mathematics to real-life problems. It is appropriate for students whose major does not require MAT 117 or MAT 170.

MAT 117 is college algebra — the study of linear and quadratic functions, systems of linear equations, logarithmic and exponential functions, sequences, series, and combinatorics. MAT 117 is a prerequisite for courses like MAT 119, MAT 170 and MAT 210.

MAT 119 is finite mathematics and includes linear algebra, linear programming, combinatorics, probability and mathematics of finance. It is used in specific programs as their last math course needed for the program.

For general questions regarding the math placement, email placement.math@asu.edu.

You have a total of three attempts to complete ASU’s math assessment.

Before retaking:

Access the prep modules in your ALEKS account by selecting “Start My Path” from the menu. You will only be able to choose one of the offered paths and cannot change it.
There is a cool-off period of 24 hours before you can access your second attempt.
You cannot access your third attempt until you log three hours or more of ALEKS prep module work.

For general questions regarding the math placement, email placement.math@asu.edu.

General

What is the math placement assessment?

ASU requires an ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning (ALEKS PPL) Assessment to determine readiness for mathematics courses. ALEKS PPL is a web-based program that uses artificial intelligence to map a student's strengths and weaknesses. The math placement assessment is up to 30 questions and generally takes 60–90 minutes to complete. After the placement assessment, an individualized prep and learning module is available for students to refresh their knowledge of math topics. Students then have the opportunity to reassess and improve their placement. ALEKS PPL consists of three parts:

An initial placement assessment.
The prep and learning module, which is an individualized, self-paced online review.
Access to two additional placement assessments.

ASU encourages each student to spend time in the ALEKS prep and learning module even if the desired score is achieved, because it will lead to better preparation and improved performance in math courses.

Who is required to take this assessment?

All incoming first-year students are required to take ASU’s mathematics placement assessment, including those that have received AP math credit. Transfer students are also required to take the math placement assessment unless they are transferring an equivalent math prerequisite for the ASU mathematics course they intend to take.

This is a placement assessment and not a test. The assessment is designed to determine what a student knows and what a student needs to learn. At the end of math placement assessment, a student will have a much better sense of their strengths and weaknesses in math. Students then have a chance to brush up on topics that may have been forgotten or haven't been practiced for some time.

What topics are covered in the assessment?

The length and the content of the math placement assessment will vary, but can be up to 30 questions. You will see some, but not all, of the math you have learned in high school. It is a placement assessment, not a preview of math courses at ASU. It is designed to identify if you are prepared for a particular course. After you take your first placement assessment, you will have the opportunity to review and master additional topics to reassess and improve your placement.

Once I begin the assessment, can I pause to take a break, or leave and come back to it later?

No. The expectation is that you complete the math placement assessment without stopping within the two-hour timeframe.

Are notes and calculators acceptable to use?

No. The ALEKS system provides you the tools necessary to complete the assessment. The idea of the assessment is simply to show where you place, and we want to make sure you are placed into the appropriate math course based on your current knowledge. Blank scratch paper and a pencil or pen can be used to work out problems. Please show both sides of the paper to the camera during the environment check.

When the assessment asks me to show identification to the camera, what ID is it asking for?

The assessment is asking you to show identification with your name and photo to prove it is you taking the assessment. You can use a school ID, state ID, driver's license or passport.

How do I get math advising support?

If you have questions about your placement assessment scores and the courses you should take for your degree program, contact your academic advisor in your major. Their contact information is located in the Academic Support Team box on My ASU.

Will I receive additional attempts if I change my major to one that requires a higher level of math?

No. Three attempts are all that is allotted for you during your time as an ASU student. You are advised to begin your math sequence of classes as soon as possible after completing the math placement assessment. Should you change your major, your old score is still valid for one year after completion of the placement assessment. We encourage you to use your three attempts wisely

Do my attempts ever reset?

No. If you've used all three of your attempts and your score has since expired, please contact us at placement.math@asu.edu. We will do our best to assist you, but your attempts will not be reset.

I tried taking my third attempt, but it appears to be locked. Why am I not able to take my third attempt?

You will not be able to access your third attempt until you log three or more hours of prep and learning module work between the second and third attempts. Learning modules are designed to help you review material you may have forgotten since your last math course.

After you log in to your ALEKS account, select “start my path” from the menu to begin your module work, or “continue my path” if you have started it previously. If it’s your first time accessing the module, you will only be able to choose one of the offered paths. Once you select a path, you will not be able to change it. After you meet the requirement to unlock the placement assessment, the lock icon will be replaced with a “start” button.

How long is my score valid for?

It is crucial that the scores be reflective of your current mathematical knowledge. Therefore, the scores are only valid for one year. If your scores have expired, you will need to take the math placement assessment again with your remaining attempts.

I’ve used all of my attempts and my score is now expired. What can I do?

Please email placement.math@asu.edu for assistance

Am I able to take the assessment in person on an ASU campus?

ASU has limited openings available for students to take the math placement assessment in person on the Tempe campus. Email placement.math@asu.edu to inquire about this option

Accommodations

Are there any accommodations available to me if I am registered with Student Accessibility and Inclusive Learning Services?

Yes, please contact SAILS at 480-965-1234 to get access to the math placement assessment with appropriate accommodations.

I am visually impaired. Is there an alternative testing option?

If you need any accommodations, please review the accommodation options and contact SAILS at 480-965-1234.

Technical

How do I get technical support for the assessment?

If you are experiencing technical issues, please call ALEKS technical support at 800-258-2374 or submit this form. General questions about ASU’s math placement assessment can be sent to placement.math@asu.edu.

What computer systems are supported by ALEKS?

ALEKS currently supports ALEKS PPL using LockDown Browser on the following systems:

System requirements	Windows	Macintosh	iPad
Operating system	10+	Mac OS 10.15 or higher	iOS 16.0+
Memory	75 MB	120 MB	106 MB

You will need to take the assessment using one of these system setups. If you do not have access to one of these systems, check with family, friends or local libraries to see if their computers are equipped with the requirements needed to take the math placement assessment.

Note: A webcam and the ability to download LockDown Browser is also required.

When I log in to my account, it shows it is from a previous year instead of the current year. Do I need to have my account reset?

No. Students typically only have one math placement assessment account no matter when they register. It does not reset annually, but your account can be extended. The extension on your account enables you to continue using the account to take your assessment should you have any attempts remaining. If you can’t access your account and you have more attempts, please email placement.math@asu.edu. Your score will be valid for one year after taking the assessment and can be used for math course placement as long as it is not expired.

I tried logging in to my account but it says that it’s inactive. Who do I contact about this?

If your account is inactive, it means it has expired. Your account is active for one year after creating it; however, it can be extended. Please email placement.math@asu.edu with your extension request.

I have a question that was not answered from the FAQs.

Please email placement.math@asu.edu if you have questions about ASU’s math placement assessment