math placement guide
Your success is our goal. To help place you in the right course and make sure you’re successful, Bellevue University requires an ALEKS mathematics placement assessment to determine your readiness for various courses.
The ALEKS Placement Assessment covers material from basic math through precalculus and typically takes about 90 minutes. After you finish, a targeted Prep and Learning Module is available to help you review, strengthen skills, and improve your placement and course outcomes.
We strongly encourage you to spend several hours in your Prep and Learning Module. Even if you have already placed into your desired course, time in ALEKS will help you prepare and build confidence for your upcoming course.
what do my scores mean?
| Course # Title | Results: ALEKS Placement Score |
|---|---|
MA 100 Introduction to Algebra |
0-29 |
MA 101 Intermediate Algebra |
30-45 |
MA 102 College Algebr |
46-100 |
MA 135 Math in Everyday Life |
20-45 |
MA 204 Precalculus |
46-100 |
MA 215 Applied Statistics |
46-100 |
math placement steps
1. Contact your Student Coach:
Your Student Coach/Advisor will provide you with an access code and detailed instructions for taking the ALEKS Placement Assessment.
2. Take the placement assessment:
Relax — this is an assessment, not a test. It’s designed to identify your strengths and areas to review in math.
The Placement Assessment can be accessed at any time using a campus or personal computer. It consists of 25-30 open-ended questions that adapt to your skill level. It takes about 90 minutes to complete. You don’t have to complete it in one sitting because ALEKS saves your progress. However, once you begin, you must finish within 48 hours or your progress will be lost.
3. Interpret your results:
To see where your scores place you, see the grey column titled, “Results: ALEKS Placement Score.”
4. Enroll in a prep and learning module:
After you finish, ALEKS will recommend a Prep and Learning Module based on your results. You can choose a different module if it better fits your goals. You’ll have access for six months after your assessment.
If you are satisfied with your results and course placement, use the Module to prep for your course. This can be really helpful, especially if it’s been a while since your last math class.
If you want to improve your placement, use the Module to practice topics you found challenging. This will help you to maximize your score and increase the likelihood of placing into your preferred course.
5. Retake the placement assessment (if necessary):
You may retake the assessment after 24 hours and within six months. There’s no benefit to retaking immediately—use the time to study in your Prep and Learning Module.
You can take the assessment twice before a Prep and Learning Module is required. You may take up to five total assessments. Before the 3rd, 4th, and 5th attempts, you must spend at least three, five, and 10 hours, respectively, in your module.
6. Register for a mathematics or statistics course:
Contact your Student Coach to register for your course. They’ll verify your course choice based on your placement results. ALEKS placement results are valid for 12 months, so register within that timeframe.
Still have questions? Check out the FAQs