Contents
- Information about Math Placement
- How to take the Math Placement Exam [Not available during Student Orientation]
- Using ALEKS as a review tool
- How to access the site and technical information about the download
- Description of placement results
1. Information about Math Placement [back to top]
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
Math
Placement
Level
| Minimum ACT math score needed | Minimum SAT math score needed |
| DV1 | < 15 | < 370 |
| DV2 | 16 | 380 |
| PL1 | 20 | 480 |
| PL2 | 24 | 560 |
| PL3 | 30 | 680 |
CHART #2
Math
Placement
Level
| First Course
|
| DV1 | Math 101, (Basic Math does not meet General Education Requirement) |
| DV2 | Math 102, (Elementary Algebra does not meet General Education Requirements) |
| PL1 | Math 109, (Consumer Mathematics) or Math 113, (Algebra) or PSY 120, (Statistics), PHIL 120 (logic) |
| PL2 | Math 163A (Intro to Calculus) or 115, (Pre-Calculus) or PSY 221, (Statistics) |
| PL3 | Math 263A, (Calculus I) or 266A (Calculus Biological Sciences) |
2. How to take the Math Placement Exam [back to top]
Prior to taking the Math Placement Exam, a password must be obtained from Greg Oberlin at 740.593.1935, or via email at oberlin@ohio.edu. For identification purposes, you must provide your PID# (supplied to you on your admission letter) when communicating about the math placement test. After receiving your password, go to www.aleks.com to take the exam (allow two hours). Use your PID# for your “student ID.” Contact Greg Oberlin at 740.593.1935, or via email at oberlin@ohio.edu, if you’ve lost your PID#. Once you register for the “course,” you will be required to download the plug-in for the program (this is done automatically by the ALEKS system). After the download is complete, exit the browser. This will allow the plug-in to be recognized when you open the browser again. Then, sign back in using the username and password you created during the registration process and get started.
For new students: Athens campus students who do not have a math placement or would like to improve their current placement will have the following opportunities to complete the on-line math placement test. In order to participate students must stop by the University College office, 140 Chubb Hall, to receive a pass to be admitted to the test.
• The first week of any quarter
• The first week of priority registration (usually the 8th week of each quarter)
• During exam week by appointment (call University College 740-593-1935)
*NOTE: Online math placement will not be available between July 23 and August 15, 2009; instead talk to your Orientation advisor about your specific math placement situation during your Orientation visit.
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:
*Downloading via a dialup connection may take up to 45 minutes,
depending on the speed of your connection.
Another way to prepare for the placement test or to get an idea what material is covered in certain math courses visit http://www.math.ohiou.edu/classes. Click on a specific course (example Math 113) to view quizzes and exams used in that course.
5. Description of placement results [back to top]
Placement Level DV1: Placement at this level indicates inadequate preparation to enroll in a Tier I quantitative skills course. You must complete MATH 101 before enrolling in MATH 102. Students receiving this recommendation who plan to major in an area requiring advanced math (e.g., engineering or business majors) should discuss their choice of major with their faculty or professional advisors.
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:
MATH 115*
MATH 150, 163A, 250
PSY 221
*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.
