ALEKS Math Placement
Whether you need to take the math placement depends on your prior coursework. Here is how students are placed in math classes and whether they need to take the ALEKS math placement:
- First Year Beginners (students graduating high school and starting college):
- First-year beginners enrolling in math courses during their first and second years at IU South Bend are placed into appropriate math courses based on their high school academic transcript/record. Students who have previously earned college-level math credit may be placed into math courses according to the requirements of their academic program.
- First-year beginners who do not initially enroll in a college-level math course and wait two or more years to take their first math course at IU South Bend must complete the proctored ALEKS math placement at that time.
- Transfer, second baccalaureate and other students:
- Math placement is based on previously completed college-level math coursework.
- Those without college-level math credit are required to complete the proctored ALEKS math placement.
- All students have the option of taking the proctored ALEKS math placement if they believe they have the math skills to place into a higher-level course. Students should discuss with their academic advisor whether this is a good option for them.
How/where do I take the Math placement?
This depends on whether you are pursuing an on-campus major or a fully online major.
Students in On Campus Majors:
Appointment: Students must schedule an appointment to take the proctored placement. No walkins allowed. Contact the IU South Bend Testing and Proctoring Center at tpciusb@iu.edu or call (574) 520-4164 to schedule an appointment.
Placement Location: The Testing and Proctoring Center is located in Wiekamp Hall, room 1205. Click to view the map.
Placement Parking:
What to bring:
- Bring your photo ID (CrimsonCard, driver’s license or passport)
- Before you take the assessment, ALEKS will present a short tutorial on how to enter answers, how to use the graphing utilities, and how to use the built-in calculator that will be offered when appropriate. But feel free to bring any handheld calculator.
- Scratch paper and a pen/pencil will be provided.
- No other outside materials are allowed during the placement.
Students in Collaborative Online Majors:
The ALEKS placement is available online. Contact your IU Online academic advisor or success coach for a link to the exam.
Please ensure that you have a distraction-free space, conducing to doing your best work.
Important Note: There is no benefit to inflating your abilities on the placement. While you are taking the placement, do not consult with any other source for help (friends, family, web searches, textbooks, etc), and do your honest best. Use of outside resources may result in you being placed into a course you are not prepared for.There is no cost for taking the placement.
Once you log on, you have 2 hours to complete the placement.
Can I Retake the Placement?
Yes, you can take the placement up to three times and up to one year. Prior to the second attempt, you must wait 48 hours. It is highly recommended that you study the learning modules for a minimum of four hours before taking the exam again. Note: Retaking the placement may be beneficial if you have had a break of one semester or more since your last math course.
Students have access to ALEKS for one year.
If you need retake the placement after one year email tpciusb@iu.edu
Your ALEKS score is valid for two years.
The IU South Bend Academic Centers for Excellence (ACE) Math Tutoring Center offers FREE services to help you refresh your math skills in preparation for the ALEKS math placement or simply to be better prepared for your first college math class.
- Option 1: Sign up for a Math Coach for one-on-one coaching sessions.
- Option 2: Stop by the ACE Math Tutoring center on the first floor of the Schurz Library or join online.
To get you started we have provided math resources and have created sample problem sets to review and bring to the ACE coaching sessions. Problem sets are based on course placement score ranges and their associated math classes. Start with Problem Set Level 1 and continue to the next level as you make progress.
Email sbtutor@iu.edu or call (574) 520-5022 with questions.
You will see your score on the screen immediately after completion. You can also view your score by going to the following:
- Go to One.iu.edu
- In the search bar, type “Student Center”
- Open up Student Center
- On the left side, under “Academics” click on the link for “Test Scores”
- On the right, your score will appear under PLTSB – South Bend Placement Tests
- Your score will be displayed next to ALEKS Math Placement test with a score range of 0 – 100.
You can use the table below to identify courses that you are eligible to take. However, the first math course you take will vary, depending on your major.
Important Note: Consult with your academic advisor before enrolling in a math course.
Score Range | Math Course You Can Take |
0 - 9 | Contact the IU South Bend Math department at (574) 520-4335 or email Dr. Anna Savvopoulou at annsavvo@iu.edu for permission on enrolling in a math class. |
10-15 | Enhanced MATH-A 100 Fundamentals of Algebra |
>=16 | MATH-A 100 Fundamentals of Algebra |
>=31 | MATH-M 109 Mathematical Foundations of Analytics MATH-M 111 Mathematics in the World |
36-50 | MATH-K 300 Statistical Techniques for Health Professions MATH-M 107 College Algebra MATH-M 118 Finite Mathematics MATH-T 101 Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I |
51-60 | MATH-M 125 Pre-Calculus Mathematics |
61-75 | MATH-K 310 Statistical Techniques MATH-M 119 Brief Survey of Calculus I MATH-M 126 Trigonometric Functions |
76-100 | MATH-M 215 Calculus I |