Contents

1. Information about Math Placement
   
2. How to take the Math Placement Exam [A note for Russ College of Engineering & Technology and OPIE students]
   
3. Using ALEKS as a review tool
4. How to access the site and technical information about the download
5. Description of placement results
   

1. Information about Math Placement [back to top]


The Math Placement Exam is not offered during Bobcat Student Orientation. Please speak with your academic or faculty advisor for more information.

The University uses a student’s ACT or SAT (see chart #1 below) math score to determine the student’s skill level for placement unless the Tier I quantitative skills requirement has been satisfied by transfer or advanced placement credit.  Students in some majors are required to have a math placement regardless of transfer or advanced placement credit in order to meet prerequisite requirements.  The choice of the course in which you should enroll (if any) depends on your major, University catalog of entry, math placement, and should be discussed with your academic advisor (see chart #2 below).

•    Students without ACT, SAT scores, advanced placement, or a transferable math course must take an online math placement test.

CHART #1

CHART #2

2. How to take the Math Placement Exam [back to top]

The Math Placement Exam is not offered during Bobcat Student Orientation. Please speak with your academic or faculty advisor for more information.

If you are a new student or a current student who does not have a math placement or would like to improve your placement you may register to take the on-line math placement:

The math placement is available the first week of each quarter, the first week of priority registration (usually the 6^th week of the quarter) and during exam week.
1. Go to http://seminars.admsrv.ohio.edu/seminars/public/
2. Click on "Log in to Register or manage your account"
3. It will ask you for your Oak ID and Password
4. Click on "Register yourself"
5. Scroll to the bottom of the page, under "University College" click on "Placement Testing"
6. A list of dates and times of the test will appear, select the session you want.

**Note for all students about the Math Placement Exam
Students are required to bring their OHIO ID to the Math Placement Exam. A calculator will be provided.

**Note for Russ College of Engineering & Technology Students about the Math Placement Exam
Russ College of Engineering & Technology students need to contact Greg Oberlin, oberlin@ohio.edu, to make arrangements for the Math Placement Exam. Please provide your OHIO PID#.

**Note for OPIE Students about the Math Placement Exam
Students are permitted to take the Math Placement Test once they have been approved to take part-time academic coursework, meaning they have earned a score of 500 or better on the TOEFL test.  The Math Placement Test consists primarily of word problems, so if students' English is not strong enough to understand the word problems, they will not do well on the test.

3. Using ALEKS as a review tool [back to top]

One way to prepare is to take a pre-assessment using the online resource, ALEKS, available at http://www.aleks.com for interested OHIO students. When you enter that site, you will select the appropriate test that you wish to take (Basic Math, College Algebra, Trigonometry, or Pre-calculus).
ALEKS quickly and efficiently develops a detailed and comprehensive map of the student's mastery of the subject. This information is summarized in the form of a multicolor pie chart. Please note that this is only a tool to help assess your current mastery of the subject and provides an opportunity for tutorial assistance as preparation for the OHIO Math Placement Test. This is not the placement test.
*A nominal fee is charged for using the ALEKS tutorial.

4. How to access the site and technical information about the download  [back to top]

Click here for required technical requirements to run ALEKS

If your computer meets these requirements and you are still having technical difficulties, you must contact ALEKS by going to http://www.aleks.com/contact/

You will find:

5. Description of placement results  [back to top]

Placement Level DV2: This level indicates inadequate preparation to enroll in Tier I quantitative skills courses. You must complete MATH 102 before enrolling in a Tier I level quantitative skills course.

Placement Level 1 (PL1): Placement at this level indicates preparation for any of the courses below:

MATH 109, 113 (required for students planning to enroll in a higher math course)*
MATH 117, 118 (available only at regional campuses and through correspondence)
MATH 120 (early childhood, middle childhood, and intervention specialist education majors only)
MATH 147
PHIL 120
PSY 120

*NOTE: Students who need MATH 163A should enroll first in 113 and then take 163A. Students who need MATH 263A should begin with 113, followed by 115 and then 263A.

Placement Level 2 (PL2): Placement at this level indicates preparation for Level 1 courses as well as the following:

*NOTE: MATH 115 is the prerequisite course for MATH 263A/266A. MATH 115 is not recommended unless you plan to enroll in MATH 263A/266A. Students cannot earn credit for both MATH 163A and 263A. MATH 163A is not a prerequisite for 263A.

Placement Level 3 (PL3): If your result is Level 3, you have demonstrated quantitative skills competence sufficient to meet the Tier I quantitative skills requirement. If your major requires that you enroll in a quantitative skills course, placement at Level 3 indicates preparation for MATH 263A and any course in Levels 1 or 2. A Level 3 placement does NOT guarantee a waiver of college or major requirements in mathematics. Contact your college office to see if a waiver of all quantitative courses
will be in effect for your major.