Math Placement Policy
Effective Fall 2023, the Elizabethtown College Mathematical Sciences Program has instituted a Math Placement Policy for enrolled students.
Some students may be auto-placed into math courses using available student data, while others will take the ALEKS® Math Placement Assessment Auto-placements are determined based on intended major, high school math history, Dual enrollment transfer credit, student performance with standardized testing (SAT, ACT), and student experience with Credit through Examination (ie. AP, CLEP, IB, etc.).
Mathematics Auto-Placement
Students with an intended major that requires or strongly suggests MA 121 Calculus I will be auto-placed into PHY 120 Introductory Mathematics for Physics (Engineering) or MA 120 Foundations of Calculus (all other programs requiring Calculus) in accordance with the following criteria.
| SAT Scores | ACT Scores | AP Exam Score | ALEKS Placement Score | Math Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 660 | 0 - 28 | 1-2 (AP Precalculus Exam) | 0 - 70 |
PHY 120 (Engineering Majors) MA 120 ( All Other Majors) |
| 670 and above | 29 and above | 3 or better (AP Precalculus Exam) | 71 - 100 | MA 121 Calculus I * |
* Students placed into PHY 120 or MA 120 must earn a letter-grade of C- or better as a prerequisite for registration into MA 121 Calculus.
| Student Situation | Math Placement |
|---|---|
| Intended major does not require or strongly suggest MA121 Calculus I |
MA 251 Probability and Statistics |
| Earned Grade of C- or better in MA 120 Foundations for Calculus | MA 121 Calculus I |
| Earned Grade of C- or better in PHY 120 Introductory Mathematics for Physics | MA 121 Calculus I |
| Scored 3 or better on AP Precalculus exam, earning transfer credit for MA 120, and intended major requires or strongly suggests MA121 Please note: The Engineering Program does NOT award transfer credit for PHY 120 for AP Precalculus examination. For more information, please contact the School of Engineering and Computer Science. | MA 121 Calculus I |
| Scored 3 or better on AP Calculus AB exam, earning transfer credit for MA 121 Calculus I, and intended major requires MA122 Calculus II | MA 122 Calculus II |
| Scored 3 or better on AP Calculus BC exam, earning transfer credit for both MA 121 Calculus I and MA 122 Calculus II, and intended major requires MA222 Calculus III | MA 222 Calculus III |
| Scored 2 on AP Calculus AB/BC exam, and intended major requires or strongly suggests MA121 | MA 121 Calculus I |
Programs Requiring Calculus: Actuarial Science, Biochemistry Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Chemistry Lab Science, Chemistry Education, Computer Science, Economics, Elementary/Middle Level – Math Emphasis, Engineering, Financial Economics, Mathematical Business, Mathematics, Math Education, Physics Education
ALEKS® Mathematics Placement Assessment Program
The ALEKS® Placement Assessment Program is a timed, proctored assessment delivered online. It is an assessment, NOT A TEST. The difference is that an assessment is designed to determine what students know for placement purposes, rather than for assignment of a grade.
ALEKS® Math Placement Assessment Instructions
The Mathematical Sciences Program created Instructions for completing the ALEKS® Math Placement Assessment .
Why use proctoring for the ALEKS® assessment?
For incoming students, it is important that they start on the right track, beginning with determining the appropriate courses for their first semester. We believe that success does not follow one pathway, as our students share a variety of experiences. Research shows that proctored math placement assessments are more likely to place students into math courses in which students are more likely to succeed.
What is the minimum score required for a Calculus I placement?
Students with an assessment score of 71, without auto-placement considerations, will be placed into Calculus I. Student with an assessment score less than 71, without auto-placement considerations, will be placed into PHY 120 Introductory Mathematics for Physics (Engineering) or MA 120 Foundations of Calculus (all other programs requiring Calculus).
Who do I contact about my ALEKS® assessment?
If you have concerns about your math placement, please contact Dr. Jodi L. Lancaster, Associate Provost for Student Learning & Dean of Faculty