What is the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment?
Determine your math readiness for math- and science-related coursework. If you’re only interested in signing up for Math 108X or not sure if ALEKS is for you, complete the Math Path Survey first.
What is the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment?
Determine your math readiness for math- and science-related coursework. If you’re only interested in signing up for Math 108X or not sure if ALEKS is for you, complete the Math Path Survey first.
Meet Mathematics Prerequisites
The ALEKS placement assessment can be used to fulfill mathematics prerequisites for Chemistry 105, Chemistry 106, Economics 215, Economics 278, and Physics 105, as well as Math 101, Math 108X, Math 109, Math 110X, Math 111, Math 112X, and Math 119.
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
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
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 215 |
Quantitative Methods | 27 | 640 | 620 | 85 or higher (or Math 109, 110X) |
| 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.
Have Additional Questions about ALEKS?
If you have additional questions about starting ALEKS or math placement at BYU-Idaho, please email us at mathematics@byui.edu.