Understanding Math Placement

At Albion, many programs require at least one math class. It is best for you to start in a math class that is at the right level for you. In order to determine the right starting math class for you, we use the ALEKS online placement and learning suite.

Dates & Deadlines

Fall 2024 Incoming Students

February 1, 2024 – Math placement opens for incoming students
April 12, 2024 – First ALEKS assessment complete
May 3, 2024 – Second ALEKS assessment complete (if needed)
May 17, 2024 – Third ALEKS assessment complete (if needed)
June 1, 2024, or as soon as feasible – All ALEKS assessments completed

If you can’t meet the above dates just complete the assessment and retakes as soon as you can.

About ALEKS

The ALEKS suite covers material from basic mathematics through College Algebra and Trigonometry.
The placement and learning suite includes the initial assessment, one year of access to online Prep and Learning modules, and up to four additional assessments.
If your initial assessment score is not high enough to place you into the math class that is needed for your program, you will use the Prep and Learning modules assigned in ALEKS to practice and prepare for a retake of the assessment.
You must accumulate at least 3 hours of work in the modules in order to attempt another assessment, and at least 48 hours must elapse between assessments.
Many students will want to take two or three assessments, with study time in-between.
The highest score earned by June 1st will be used to determine your math placement. Scores that come in after June 1st will be considered for your math placement and future course enrollment, but may not impact your fall schedule.
Set aside 90 minutes to complete each assessment. You may exit an assessment and complete it later as long as it is completed within 48 hours of starting.
No outside aids, such as graphing calculator, notes, books, Internet, etc. are allowed on the placement assessments.
Your placement assessment is only used to determine your placement into your first math class at Albion. You do not earn credit for any class nor “test out” of any math requirements of your chosen major based on your placement test result.