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Placement and Proficiency
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Mathematics Placement

Cutoff Scores and Placement Messages for Fall 2015

Placement into the math courses is based on a combination of the student’s college and the student's highest score on the ALEKS Math Placement Exam. Cutoff scores and course placement decisions are derived in collaboration with the Mathematics Department and are reviewed annually. The policies below apply to all students entering Illinois in Summer 2015 or Fall 2015. New policies based on the new ALEKS PPL exam go into effect for Spring 2016.

All new freshmen are required to take the ALEKS Math Placement Exam prior to registration, even if you are expecting AP or IB course proficiency credit.

All transfer students who intend to enroll in a Calculus I or lower-level math class are also required to take the ALEKS Math Placement Exam. If you are transferring to Illinois with math credit earned elsewhere, you should check with your college to verify what other math courses, if any, your program requires.

Within four months of taking ALEKS, students must enroll in the course that they place into. If you do not enroll in and complete the recommended course in the semester after taking ALEKS, you will have to take the ALEKS Math Placement Exam again at your own expense in order to obtain an updated course placement.

Learn more about mathematics placement testing.

The ALEKS Math Placement Exam does not award proficiency credit. Proficiency tests are given separately.

Questions? Contact the Mathematics Department during business hours.


NOTE TO STUDENTS WHO EARNED ADVANCED PLACEMENT OR INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE CREDIT:
You will have more options than students who did not take AP or IB. You may accept your test-based credit and follow the placement recommendation that is based on your AP or IB score, or you may enroll in the course that you would have earned credit for. (Duplicate credit is not permitted.) Please discuss your course enrollment options with your academic advisor, who will guide you through your particular program's requirements.

 

ALEKS Math Score

Admission College

Placement Message
0 - 19 All colleges Remediation is required before Math 112, which is a prerequisite for all other Math courses.
20 - 29 AHS, DGS, EDU, FAA, LAS, MEDIA, SSW If calculus is needed, remediation is required before Math 112. If calculus is not needed, Math 181 is appropriate.
ACES, BUS, ENG Remediation is required before Math 112, which is a prerequisite for all other Math courses.
30 - 49 ACES Math 112 before Math 124 or Math 234. If Math 220 is needed, take Math 112 followed by Math 115 before Math 220.
AHS, DGS, FAA, LAS, MEDIA, SSW If calculus is needed, take Math 112 before Math 234, or Math 112 followed by Math 115 before Math 220. If calculus is not needed, Math 119 or 181 is appropriate.
BUS Math 112 before Math 125 or Math 234. If Math 220 is needed, take Math 112 followed by Math 115 before Math 220.
EDU If calculus is needed, take Math 112 before Math 234, or Math 112 followed by Math 115 before Math 220. If calculus is not needed, Math 103, 117, 119, or 181 is appropriate.
ENG Take Math 112 followed by Math 115 before Math 220.
50 - 69 ACES Math 124 or Math 234; Take Math 115 before Math 220
AHS, DGS, FAA, LAS, MEDIA, SSW If Math 220 is needed, take Math 115 before Math 220. If Math 220 is not needed, Math 119, 124, 181, or 234 is appropriate.
BUS If Math 220 is needed, take Math 115 before Math 220. If Math 220 is not needed, Math 125 or 234 is appropriate.
EDU If Math 220 is needed, take Math 115 before Math 220. If Math 220 is not needed, Math 103, 117, 119, 124, 181, or 234 is appropriate.
ENG Take Math 115 before 220.
70 - 100 ACES, AHS, DGS, FAA, LAS, MEDIA, SSW Math 220 if less than a year of calculus in high school; Math 221 if a year of calculus in high school; Math 234; or any 100-level math course. With AP or IB credit, higher courses may be appropriate.
BUS Math 125 or 234; any 100-level math course; Math 220 if less than a year of calculus in high school; Math 221 if a year of calculus in high school. With AP or IB credit, higher courses may be appropriate.
EDU Math 103, 117, 119, 181; a 100-level course; Math 234; Math 220 if less than a year of calculus in high school; Math 221 if a year of calculus in high school. With AP or IB credit, higher courses may be appropriate.
ENG Math 220 if less than a year of calculus in high school; Math 221 if a year of calculus in high school. With AP or IB credit, higher courses may be appropriate.