Frequently Asked Questions about Math Placement

Everyone needs to be placed in mathematics, but not everyone has to take the placement assessment. Exceptions are listed on the page Guide to ALEKS PPL Math Placement.

Yes, but only if you are planning on using the results to satisfy the math prerequisite for a course you want to take. If you do not take that course within 18 months of passing the placement assessment at the required level, then you will need to take the placement assessment again and pass it at the required level.

Yes and no. If we establish at the initial Math Placement Meeting that you need assessment, you must take the scheduled assessment two weeks after you arrive at MIU. However, before you arrive at MIU you may request the opportunity to take a practice assessment and study on your own using an ALEKS PPL module. (Email Connie Eyberg at mathadmin@miu.edu). We strongly advise you to take this opportunity seriously. If you don’t do this, you will be given instructions how to sign up for ALEKS PPL shortly after the initial Math Placement Meeting, and you will still have two weeks before the proctored assessment occurs to take the practice assessment and study on your own using ALEKS PPL. On the other hand, the results of the assessment at this point are not written in stone. You do have the opportunity to use your ALEKS PPL module to study on your own for six months and to take up to three more proctored assessments within a one-year period from signing up. But we need this initial proctored assessment for planning your schedule for the year.

None. They aren’t allowed. Cell phones are not allowed either.

No, but if you change your major later to one that does require math, you will need to take a math placement assessment then.

No, but you will need to sign a form that you accept placement into Math 051 Basic Mathematics (the lowest level). On the other hand, it would be much better to take a practice placement test and use an ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning Module to try to place higher. Even if you don’t place higher, it will prepare you better for success in the class Math 051.

Yes. You may opt to try to place out of Calculus 1 or Calculus 2 or to take the ALEKS PPL assessment for the courses that precede calculus.

Yes, if your major requires any math courses or prerequisites, or if you intend to take any course with a math prerequisite. The results of the math placement assessment take precedence over transfer credit at this level.

No, if the course you took elsewhere satisfies the general education requirement in math and your major requires no math in addition to the general education requirement.

Yes, the ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning system used at MIU allows you to take the assessment up to five times in a one-year period. Furthermore, it gives you practice between assessments for six months.

No. MIU provides courses for you to review math you don’t remember. It does not have a system of tutors specifically for math placement purposes. If you would like to hire a private tutor, please ask Connie Eyberg at mathadmin@miu.edu for names and numbers of local math tutors in Fairfield. On the other hand, many students find ALEKS PPL quite adequate for reviewing math.

You can still count a course taken elsewhere numbered Math 100 or above for your general education requirement. However, you cannot use it to satisfy the prerequisite for any course you plan to enroll for at MIU, and you cannot use it to satisfy the mathematics requirements of a major or minor. This same rule may apply to students who completed mathematics courses at MIU in the past and are returning after more than one year to finish their degree.

Yes, if it has been more than 18 months since you took the placement assessment before.

Yes, there will be a time set for an assessment for those who are not able to come to the initial proctored assessment for new students. It will be a week later, probably on the next Saturday afternoon. See the Schedule of Proctored Math Placement Assessments.

No. You need to actually take a course in mathematics .You cannot fulfill this requirement by taking a placement assessment.

Yes. The units for any course you place out of that is required for your major counts towards the total units required for that major, although the units will not count towards the overall total units required for graduation.

Not necessarily. There have been students at MIU who started with Elementary Algebra and completed a math major. Starting with Basic Mathematics is also possible. But please do consult with your academic adviser in the Mathematics Department about it to see if it is right for you.