ALEKS Math Placement

Mathematical Sciences

At UNC, you’ll complete an assessment to determine your readiness for mathematics and statistics courses (some students may be exempt). This web-based assessment, called ALEKS, should be taken before you come to New Student Orientation.

The ALEKS Placement Assessment covers material from Basic Math through Precalculus and usually takes about 90 minutes to complete. The only materials you need are a pencil and paper; ALEKS will provide an on-screen calculator if a problem requires it.

During the assessment, you may only use the resources provided by ALEKS. Do not consult friends, family, textbooks, other websites, or any outside source—using outside resources can result in improper placement and may make your courses harder than necessary.

If you have a disability that may require accommodations, please review all information about taking the UNC Math Placement Assessment first. If you still believe you need testing accommodations, contact the Disability Resource Center at 970-351-2289 or by email DRC@unco.edu. UNC will work with you to determine the best way to meet your math placement needs and ensure you have the support you need during the assessment.

Who Has to Take It

You’ll need to complete ALEKS if you plan to take an entry-level math, statistics, or chemistry course that requires placement, including:

  • MATH 120 – Mathematics and Liberal Arts

  • MATH 124 – College Algebra

  • MATH 125 – Plane Trigonometry

  • MATH 127 – Elementary Functions

  • MATH 131 – Calculus I

  • MATH 171 – Calculus I for Life Sciences

  • STAT 150 – Introduction to Statistical Analysis

  • STAT 160 – Introduction to Data Science and Statistics

  • CHEM 111 – Principles of Chemistry I

Unsure which math course (or chemistry) is required for your major?  Check out the Degree Requirements for your major.

Who’s Exempt?

Some students do not need to take ALEKS. You may be exempt if:

  • Your ACT or SAT math score meets the requirement

  • You have earned math credit through a community college or developmental education course

  • You have transfer credit, AP credit, or dual-credit math from high school

Exemptions and Registering

You may be exempt from ALEKS if you meet one of these criteria:

  • Completed UNC courses: If you’ve passed MATH 125 or 127 with a C or higher (not C-), you may enroll in MATH 131 or 171 without ALEKS.
  • Transfer credit:
    • Passed MATH 124 with a C or higher → may enroll in MATH 125, MATH 127, or STAT 150 without ALEKS.
    • Passed MAT 050, 090, or 092 (C- or higher) at a Colorado community college → may enroll directly in MATH 120 or STAT 150.
    • Passed MAT 055, 093, or 099 (C- or higher) → may enroll directly in MATH 124.
  • Test scores:
    • SAT Math 500+ (within 3 years) → enroll in MATH 120 or STAT 150 without ALEKS.

If you meet one of these exemptions but need help enrolling, email math.placement@unco.edu with:

  • The course and section you want to register for
  • A brief note on how you qualify for the exemption

Benefits of Taking ALEKS

With ALEKS, you’ll see your results right away and know which courses you can register for at New Student Orientation. Your advisor will use these results to help place you in the right starting course.

After your first assessment, you’ll also unlock a personalized Prep and Learning Module to review skills, improve your placement, and strengthen future course outcomes. The module is available for six months, and you can retake the assessment up to four times during that period.

Student teacher writing on chalkboard.

Preparing for ALEKS

The ALEKS Placement Assessment is not a test; it’s an assessment. That means it’s designed to measure what you already know, not to trick you. When you finish, you’ll have a clearer understanding of your math strengths and areas to improve. From there, ALEKS gives you the chance to practice and strengthen your skills. There’s no penalty for wrong answers, but it’s important to give your best effort so the results accurately reflect your preparedness. The goal of ALEKS is to set you up for success by finding the course level where you’ll have the best chance to thrive.

Students illustrating on a whiteboard for a robotics project.

How much does the assessment cost?

Good news—ALEKS is included in your student fees, so it won’t cost you anything extra! This covers your initial assessment, the 6-week online Prep and Learning Module, and up to 4 retakes if you want to improve your placement.

Student working hands-on on a robotics project.

What Does Your Score Mean?

These guidelines explain which math and statistics courses you can take at UNC, based on your ALEKS placement score and course prerequisites. At Orientation, you’ll meet with an advisor in your math placement session to figure out the best course for you. If you’re a returning or transfer student, you’ll work with your academic advisor to choose the right course. Please note that if there’s ever a difference between these guidelines and the official UNC catalog, the catalog requirements are the ones that apply. Your placement score is valid for 18 months

Retaking the ALEKS Assessment

You must wait 48 hours between placement assessments. Retaking the assessment immediately usually does not improve your score. Before attempting a second or third retake, you are required to complete at least 3 hours in the ALEKS Prep and Learning Module to strengthen your skills. You can take up to three retakes within six months of your initial assessment.

If your ALEKS score is 0-24 or if you have questions, please contact the Math Placement Team at math.placement@unco.edu.

 

Course Score Prerequisite
MATH 120: Mathematics and Liberal Arts 30-100: register for MATH 120

0-29: co-register for MATH 119 and MATH 120 (required)

 Minimum of one full year of high school algebra with a grade of C or better.
STAT 150: Introduction to Statistical Analysis 30-100: register for STAT 150

0- 29: co-register for STAT 149 and STAT 150

 MATH 023 with a grade of C or better or a full year of second year high school algebra with a grade of C or better.
MATH 124: College Algebra 51-100: register for MATH 124.

41-50: co-register for the one-credit MATH 123: Supplemental Algebra to support you in MATH 124 (recommended).

25-40: co-register for MATH 123: Supplemental Algebra to support you in Math 124 (required, or take MAT 055 at Aims to prepare for MATH 124).

0-25: take MAT 055. Aims Community College teaches a variety of sections of MAT 055 including one section on the UNC campus.

 An ALEKS score of 41 or better and either two years of high school algebra with a grade of C or better or the equivalent.

If your ALEKS score is in the 25-40 range, you can register for MATH 124 only if you also register for MATH 123: Supplemental Algebra. MATH 123 is designed to support you to be successful in MATH 124.
MATH 131: Calculus I

MATH 171: Calculus for Life Sciences

 75-100: register for MATH 131 or 171 (you must also have met the prerequisite).

60-74: co-register for MATH 130: Supplemental Calculus at the same time that you take MATH 131 or 171. (recommended)

45-59: co-register for MATH 130: Supplemental Calculus at the same time that you take MATH 131 or 171. (required, or take MATH 125: Trigonometry or MATH 127: Elementary Functions (precalculus) to prepare you for calculus.)

0-44: register for MATH 125: Trigonometry or MATH 127: Elementary Functions (precalculus) to prepare you for calculus.

 High school mathematics up to and including trigonometry or better, or MATH 125 or MATH 127, all with a grade of C or better.

If your ALEKS score is in the 60-74 range, we recommend that you register for MATH 131 or MATH 171 only if you also register for MATH 130: Supplemental Calculus, a course designed to support your success in Calculus. This course is a required corequisite if your ALEKS score is in the 45-59 range.

Note that we recommend taking MATH 125 or MATH 127 before taking Calculus if your high school GPA is less than 3.0 and your ALEKS score is below 74.
MATH 125: Plane Trigonometry 41-100 (recommended) MATH 124 or equivalent with a grade of C or better.
MATH 127: Elementary Functions (Precalculus) 41-100 (recommended)

25-40 Co-register for MATH 123: Supplemental Algebra nd MATH 124: College Algebra. PLUS take MATH 115: Trig (either as a co-requisite or the following semester).

0-25 take MATH 055. Aims Community College teaches a variety of sections of MAT 055, which will prepare you for College Algebra. The following semester you can then take MATH 124: College +Math 115:Trig

 Full year of second year high school algebra with a grade of B or better.

Supplemental Math Courses

If your ALEKS placement score is below the minimum requirement for a gateway math course, you may be able to take a supplemental course. These courses are taken alongside your gateway math class to give you additional support, review key foundational skills, and strengthen your success in the course. Supplemental courses are not replacements for tutoring or homework help, but instead provide structured instruction and strategies designed to help you meet the demands of the gateway course.

MATH 123 – Supplemental Algebra

Course Purpose

The purpose of this course is to provide academic support for students enrolled in College Algebra (MATH 124), but whose math placement score does not meet the pre-requisite level for College Algebra. This course will provide the opportunity for students to review foundational skills needed for College Algebra content, deepen their understanding of current topics in College Algebra, and develop productive strategies for studying the College Algebra content.

Placement

MATH 123 is a co-requisite course for students who enroll in MATH 124 (which requires an ALEKS score of at least 25), but whose ALEKS score is less than 41. MATH 123 is optional for students who enroll in MATH 124 and who have an ALEKS score greater than or equal to 41.

Logistics

MATH 123 is a 1-credit course that meets once a week on Thursday for 75 minutes.

Evaluation

MATH 123 is an S/U course meaning that a student receives a score of S (satisfactory) for meeting the course requirements and a score of U (unsatisfactory) if the course requirements are not met. The course requirements include attendance, participation, and some outside of class activities.

Drop / Withdrawal Policy

Dropping or withdrawing from MATH 124 will result in being dropped or withdrawn from MATH 123. If MATH 123 is required, in most cases dropping or withdrawing from the course will result in being dropped or withdrawn from MATH 124.

Course Content

MATH 123 is intended to provide students with instruction that supports success in MATH 124. However, it is not intended to be for individualized homework assistance or to replace tutoring services or assistance from the course instructor.

Registration

If you are required to take MATH 123, you must register for MATH 123 and MATH 124 at the same time by entering both CRNs in the boxes on the course registration page. For registration questions, contact the Registrar’s Office at 970-351-4862.

MATH 130 – Supplemental Calculus

Course Purpose

The purpose of this course is to provide academic support for students enrolled in Calculus I (MATH 131 or MATH 171). This course will provide the opportunity for students to review foundational skills needed for Calculus content, deepen their understanding of current topics in Calculus, and develop productive strategies for studying the Calculus content.

Placement

MATH 130 is a recommended course for students who enroll in MATH 131 or MATH 171 but whose ALEKS score is less than 75. Note that if your ALEKS score is less than 51 or high school GPA is less than 3.0, you should take Trigonometry (MATH 125) or Pre-Calculus (MATH 127) instead.

Logistics

MATH 130 is a 1-credit course that meets once a week on Thursday for 75 minutes.

Evaluation

MATH 130 is an S/U course meaning that a student receives a score of S (satisfactory) for meeting the course requirements and a score of U (unsatisfactory) if the course requirements are not met. The course requirements include attendance, participation, weekly quizzes and homework.

Course Content

MATH 130 is intended to provide students with instruction that supports success in Calculus I. However, it is not intended to be for individualized homework assistance or to replace tutoring services or assistance from the course instructor.

Registration

If you are required to take MATH 130, you must register for MATH 130 and MATH 131, or MATH 130 and MATH 171, at the same time by entering both CRNs in the boxes on the course registration page. For registration questions, contact the Registrar’s Office at 970-351-4862.