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ALEKS Program

ALEKS is an assessment that can help you determine what level of math you are ready to take.

What is ALEKS Placement Assessment?


Determine your math readiness for science-related coursework.
The empty testing center waits for students to fill its seats.

What is ALEKS Placement Assessment?


Determine your math readiness for science-related coursework.
Meet Mathematics Prerequisites
The ALEKS placement assessment helps you find out if you fulfill mathematics prerequisites for Chemistry 105, Chemistry 106, or Physics 105
Prepare for the Exam
Watch this 2-minute overview video of the ALEKS program before you take the assessment. Then read through the FAQs below.

Watch ALEKS Video
Start Using ALEKS
Only BYU-Idaho students can use the ALEKS placement assessment. Scores will not be sent to other universities.

Take ALEKS Assessment

ALEKS Placement Prerequisites

Most introductory math courses have a minimum ACT/SAT prerequisite. Taking the ALEKS placement assessment is an alternative way to meet the prerequisite, shown in the table below.

Course Course Name ACT Math Score New SAT Math Score
(2016 & Later)
Old SAT Math Score
(2015 & Earlier)
ALEKS*
MATH 108X

MATH 101
Math for the Real World 18 or higher 470 or higher 430 or higher 38 or higher
MATH 221A

MATH 221B

MATH 221C
Business Statistics

Biostatistics

Social Science Statistics
23 or higher 570 or higher 540 or higher 53 or higher
MATH 110X College Algebra 23 or higher 570 or higher 540 or higher 53 or higher
MATH 109

MATH 111
Precalculus

Trigonometry
23 or higher 570 or higher 540 or higher 55 or higher
MATH 112X Calculus I 27 or higher 640 or higher 620 or higher 85 or higher
MATH 119 Applied Calculus or
Data Analysis
23 or higher 570 or higher 540 or higher 55 or higher
CHEM 101 Introductory Chemistry N/A N/A N/A 55 or higher
(or Math 108X, 109, 110X,
112X, 113 or 119)
CHEM 105

CHEM 106
General Chemistry I

General Chemistry II
N/A N/A N/A 70 or higher
(or Math 109, 110X, 112X,
113 or 119)
ECON 278
(must have taken
ECON 150 or AGBUS 210)
Statistics for Economists 27 640 620 85 or higher
(or Math 109, 110X)
PH 105 Introductory Applied
Physics I
N/A N/A N/A 85 or higher
(or Math 109, 110X, after
Fall 2019 or 112X)

* You can take the ALEKS placement assessment several times to improve your score. After you take the exam, ALEKS creates a personalized study plan to help you improve. More details are below.

The ALEKS Placement Assessment

The ALEKS Placement assessment covers material from basic math through precalculus. The exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. If you are unhappy with your initial score, the software includes a learning module to help you review and practice questions you missed, so you can improve your placement score. All scores over 38 are automatically entered in the BYU-Idaho system within 30 minutes.

You do not. This is not a pass-fail assessment. It is an assessment that will create a study program for you after the initial assessment.

Your placement assessment will take approximately 90 minutes to complete. The amount of time can vary by student. There will be a maximum of 30 questions. You must complete it within 48 hours of beginning the placement assessment. You will be required to wait 48 hours between each placement exam to allow time to study for the next assessment.

The assessment is completed by you on your own computer from anywhere in the world. You will pay $20 directly to the ALEKS program when you create an ALEKS account. If you create duplicate accounts, you will be charged to each account. You are not allowed to purchase ALEKS twice. You must complete the program within the five exam limit or six months.

You may only use a pen or pencil, paper, and the resources provided by ALEKS. You will be given an on-screen calculator if needed to complete a particular problem. You may not receive assistance from friends, family, other websites, textbooks, or any other resource not provided by ALEKS. Using outside resources may lead to improper placement and ultimately course failure.

You will know your score the instant you finish your initial assessment. It will be in bold above your placement pie chart after you have finished the assessment. Scores 38 or higher will automatically be sent to the university. All scores over 38 are automatically entered in the BYU-Idaho system within 30 minutes.
After you have completed your initial assessment, ALEKS custom designs a program of study called a Prep and Learning Module. Use the Prep and Learning Module to review and learn. After you feel prepared, you may take another placement assessment to improve your placement result.

The ALEKS program costs $20 for six months worth of access. A second ALEKS course will not be issued if you are unable to complete the program within that time frame.

You must be a BYU-Idaho student to use this ALEKS placement. Scores will not be sent to other universities.

You will have six months from the time that you take the initial assessment and until you have completed five assessments. Once your ALEKS program expires or you have completed all five assessments, you will not be able to purchase a second ALEKS program.

If you are unable to achieve the score desired with the five included exams and/or within the six month program time, you will be required to take the prerequisite course.

No. The ALEKS test score will NOT fulfill the Foundation's math requirement for graduation. Getting a high enough score on the test may waive prerequisites for Math or Chemistry courses, but no credit will be received for taking the test.

While working in a Prep and Learning Module, you will periodically complete pop quizzes to solidify your understanding of math.