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.
Webcam Placement:
- For the assessment, the webcam must be able to show your face, hands and working area.
- An external camera is ideal for this:
Lastly, don’t stress, just do your best!
ASU’s password for the math placement assessment is: ARIZONASTATE1
Take assessment
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.
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Math placement assessment score
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Math course placement
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0–60
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MAT 114: College Mathematics or MAT 117: College Algebra (Whichever your major requires.)
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61–75
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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
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76–100
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MAT 265: Calculus for Engineers I
MAT 270: Calculus with Analytic Geometry I
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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 114 or MAT 117. However, you are encouraged to complete the ALEKS prep modules before your math course begins.
My major requires math beyond MAT 114 or MAT 117, 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 114. Do I have to take a higher math class because of my score, or can I still take MAT 114?
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 114, which is not a prerequisite for any other mathematics course.
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
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.
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.
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.
No. The expectation is that you complete the math placement assessment without stopping within the two-hour timeframe.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
Yes, please contact SAILS at 480-965-1234 to get access to the math placement assessment with appropriate accommodations.
If you need any accommodations, please review the accommodation options and contact SAILS at 480-965-1234.
Technical
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.
ALEKS currently supports ALEKS PPL using LockDown Browser on the following systems:
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System requirements
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Windows
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Macintosh
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iPad
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Operating system
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10+
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Mac OS 10.15 or higher
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iOS 16.0+
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Memory
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75 MB
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120 MB
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106 MB
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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.
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.
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.
