ALEKS Placement Exam

What is the ALEKS Placement Exam?

The Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) placement exam is used for placement in algebra, precalculus, calculus, and general chemistry. You only need to take this one exam for placement.

Math Information (Algebra, Precalculus, & Calculus)

Are you pre-health and/or does your major require the following?

• MAC 1105 — Basic College Algebra (3 credits)
• MAC 1140 — Precalculus Algebra (3 credits)
• MAC 1147 — Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry (4 credits) — a fast-paced review of both areas

• The sequence MAC 1140 Precalculus Algebra (3 credits) and MAC 1114 Trigonometry (2 credits) covers the same material as MAC 1147, but at a slower pace

• MAC 2233 — Survey of Calculus 1 (3 credits)
• MAC 2311 — Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (4 credits)

The math course(s) you take will depend on the following:

• What your major requires (or if you are pre-health),
• Whether you have incoming math credit,
• What math course you took last year and whether you were able to use a calculator during exams,
• Whether you want to strengthen your foundation before moving on to new material, and
• Your ALEKS placement score.

To determine which math course (if any) is required for a major, check the requirements for that major. If your major requires MAC 2234 or MAC 2312 or higher, you must have credit for the prerequisite course. If you have credit via AP, consult the AP Scores for Calculus placement table. If not, consult with an academic advisor.

Some graduate programs in the health professions, such as pharmacy and optometry, may require calculus as a pre-requisite to admission. You may consult the Pre-Health Pre-Requisite Course Chart on the pre-health advising website for more information.

1. If your major requires no particular math course,you may take Gen Ed math courses, such as MGF 1106 — Math for Liberal Arts Majors 1 or MGF 1107 — Math for Liberal Arts Majors 2, without completing the ALEKS placement exam.
2. If you are required to take one of the Math courses listed at the top of the page and don't have incoming credit, take the ALEKS placement exam. A valid ALEKS score is required to register for these courses. After taking ALEKS, discuss which math course you should take with an advisor.
3. If you have incoming math credit, you may use that as placement into math courses at UF as long as the credit appears on your UF transcript, or you provide proof of credit. However, the ALEKS placement is the best predictor of success in UF MAC courses, so even if you have credit, you are strongly encouraged to take ALEKS. Taking ALEKS will assess your current knowledge base and its fit with the UF curriculum. After taking ALEKS, discuss which math course you should take with an advisor.

NOTE: It can be helpful to take a lower course or even retake a MAC course to strengthen your foundation before moving to a higher class. Your ALEKS score can help assess your current preparation. You can discuss this with your academic advisor.

Placement via Incoming Credit

Students with incoming credit can consult the Undergraduate Catalog for information about math placement.

General Chemistry Information

There are three kinds of general chemistry courses: CHM 2045, General Chemistry 1, CHM 2050, General Chemistry 1 for Majors, and CHM 2095, General Chemistry 1 for Engineers.

To determine whether a general chemistry course (if any) is required for a major, check the requirements for that major. Pre-Health students may also need general chemistry. Some graduate programs in the health professions, such as pharmacy and optometry, may require calculus as a pre-requisite to admission. Consult the Pre-Health Pre-Requisite Course Chart on the pre-health advising website for more information.

Eligibility Criteria

You will be eligible to register for a general chemistry course (CHM 2045, CHM 2050 or CHM 2095) if you:

1. Have earned credit for both courses listed below, with minimum grades of C prior to taking general chemistry at UF:

• MAC 1147 Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry (or MAC 1140 and MAC 1114), and
• CHM 1025, Introduction to Chemistry.

*If you have AICE, AP or IB exam credit earned for both Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry and Introduction to Chemistry, refer to information about award of incoming credits to see the courses for which you will earn credit. The course numbers must be MAC 1147 (or MAC 1140 and MAC 1114) and CHM 1025.

**Earning the minimum grades in the prerequisite courses or credit by exam does not guarantee success in General Chemistry. You should discuss with an advisor whether to retake courses to better prepare for success in General Chemistry. The Department of Chemistry encourages you to take the ALEKS exam even if you have met the prerequisites for General Chemistry. Quite often, your algebra and trigonometry skills may need review and your placement assessment can provide information and specific areas for additional study.

OR

2. Have earned credit for the course listed below, with a minimum grade of C, and received the appropriate placement score prior to taking general chemistry at UF:

• MAC 1147 or higher, AND
• also have successfully completed the online placement exam, ALEKS, with a score of 76% ².

Your ALEKS score is the first step in identifying the CHM course(s) in which you are most likely to be successful.

Even if you place into CHM 2045 or CHM 2050 or CHM 2095 with an ALEKS score, you will need to discuss with your advisor whether this is the best course for you, based on a number of factors that together are used to predict success in this course.

² The ALEKS exam changed on January 1, 2020. If you took the old exam (offered prior to that date), the minimum ALEKS score needed is 75%.

What If I Am Not Eligible?

If you are not eligible to register for CHM 2045, CHM 2050, or CHM 2095 (or you chose to take CHM 1025 as a refresher), you must complete the prerequisite courses satisfactorily. Once you begin CHM 1025, you must complete it with a C or higher in order to be eligible for CHM 2045/CHM 2050/CHM 2095, no matter your ALEKS placement scores. If you drop the course, you must retake CHM 1025 and earn a C or better before moving on to CHM 2045/CHM 2050/CHM 2095.

Taking the Exam

The ALEKS placement exam costs $10.00. The exam may be taken a second time after (1) a 48-hour cool-off period, and (2) you have spent at least 10 hours working in the ALEKS prep modules before a second attempt. You will not incur a fee for the second attempt. The charge will be billed to your UF account. Log on through the link below to take the exam and to ensure that your score is applied to your official student record. You may only take the ALEKS exam twice.

You can access your placement scores from the ONE.UF left menu by going to Academics > Test Scores. Scores are uploaded overnight, although it may take longer if you took the test on a weekend or holiday.

• This exam is to be taken without the use of a calculator or other aids. Your answers should be based solely on your own knowledge. Calculators are not permitted in most UF math courses.
• Plan ahead. Allow for at least 90 minutes of uninterrupted time and be sure to have pencils and some scratch paper on hand.
• You must log on through the link below to take the test and to ensure that your score is applied to your official student record.
• Take the time you need to answer each question. Although there is no time limit, the system measures the time it takes you to answer each question and will use this information to determine the next question.
• Because the placement exam adapts to your responses, the number of questions will vary from 20-35.

We strongly recommend taking the exam once. If you wish to retake it, you must:

1. wait 48 hours, and
2. complete 10 hours in the ALEKS preparation modules before a second attempt.