Math Placement Assessment

Some students may be placed into math courses using their student data, while others will take a placement assessment. Students may be placed into Math 701/702, GQ/Math 1015/Math 1021 with Math 1019, Math 1021, Math 1022, and Math 1041.

Math Autoplacement

There are two ways students may be automatically placed into courses. Students are auto placed using SAT/ACT scores, if available. If students do not have valid SAT/ACT scores, they are auto placed using other student data. Students without an auto-placement are required to complete an ALEKS Math Placement Assessment. Students with an auto-placement may choose to take an ALEKS Math Placement Assessment if they feel that their auto-placement is not representative of their knowledge.

Autoplacement Using SAT/ACT

Students with valid SAT/ACT scores are automatically placed using the chart below. Students enrolled in programs that require Math 1021 or above and have SAT scores in the range of 500 – 660 or ACT scores in the range of 18-28 are required to take a Math Placement Assessment. Placement Information for Incoming Students - List of Programs

Students with valid SAT/ACT scores are automatically placed using this chart.
Math SAT and ACT Scores	SAT Scores	ACT Scores	Course Placement**	Math Assessment
Highest SAT Math/ACT Math score is less than or equal to	490	17	Math 0701**/0702
Highest SAT Math/ACT Math score is equal to or greater than	500	18	Math 1015/GQ or STAT 1001**	A Math Assessment is required if the student is than enrolled in a degree program that requires Math 1021 or above.
Highest SAT Math/ACT Math score is equal to or greater than	660	28	STAT 1102	A Math Assessment is required if the student is than enrolled in a degree program that requires Math 1021 or above.
Highest SAT Math/ACT Math score is equal to or greater than	670	29	Math 1041

*Course Placement represents a student’s highest possible course placement; however, students may opt to take a lower-level statistics or math course.

**Autoplacement Using Other Student Data
Students who do not have valid SAT/ACT scores and are enrolled in degree programs that do not require Math 1021 or above may be automatically placed into Math 701 or GQ using available student data.

Transfer Students and Credits

Students who previously studied at another institution may be eligible to transfer credits to Temple University. All transfer credits are evaluated by the University’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Students considering or required to complete Math 1021 or higher, or a course with a pre-requisite of Math 1021 or higher, and have not been automatically placed based on SAT/ACT scores, are required to take a math assessment, regardless of transfer credits, subject to exceptions listed below*.

Transfer Students Required to Take the Math Placement Assessment

All students within the following schools, who have not been automatically placed based on SAT/ACT scores, are required to take a math assessment, regardless of transfer credits*:

College of Public Health (except those transferring in Math 1041, Math 1042, Math 2041, Math 2043, and/or Math 3041)**
College of Science and Technology (except those transferring in Math 1041, Math 1042, Math 2041, Math 2043, and/or Math 3041)**
College of Education and Human Development (except those transferring in Math 1021 or higher)
College of Engineering (except those transferring in Math 1041, Math 1042, Math 2041, Math 2043, and/or Math 3041)**
Division of University Studies (except those transferring in Math 1041, Math 1042, Math 2041, Math 2043, and/or Math 3041)**
Fox School of Business and Management (except those transferring in Stat 1001, Stat 1102, Math 1022, Math 1031, Math 1041, Math 1042, Math 2041 or 2043; all students majoring in Actuarial Science or Statistical Science and Data Analytics must take placement assessments except those transferring in Math 1022, 1041, 1042, or 2043)
Tyler School of Art (Architecture majors only; except transferring in Math 1031 or higher)

*For students who have already completed their program’s mathematics requirement with transfer credits, the assessment results will be used as a diagnostic tool for informational purposes only, and will not restrict or dictate course selection.

**Students who transfer both MAT 140 and 141 from Bucks County Community College can also be exempted.

Transfer Students Exempt From the Math Placement Assessment

Students within the following schools/colleges who transferred a credit bearing, QA/QB/GQ designated Math course are exempted from taking the Math Placement Assessment:

Boyer College of Music and Dance
College of Liberal Arts
Klein College of Media and Communication
School of Social Work
School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management
School of Theater, Film and Media Arts
Tyler School of Art and Architecture (except those majoring in Architecture)

Students who take a course in the math sequence (Math 702, 1021, 1022, 1041/1941) are bound by their performance in the course for future course eligibility (rather than performance on previous or future placement assessment). Once a student completes a course in the math sequence, the student may not use their placement assessment results as a pre-requisite for entry into a higher-level course. Similarly, students cannot request an assessment after completing a course in the math sequence to place into a higher course.

Math Placement Assessment (150 Minutes, Timed)

The Math Placement Assessment is delivered online using ALEKS, a web-based learning platform. ALEKS assesses the student´s current course knowledge by asking you a number of questions (usually 20-30). ALEKS chooses questions based on your answers to all previous questions. Therefore, each set of assessment questions is unique. It is impossible to predict the questions that will be asked. Some questions may require the use of a calculator, which is provided onscreen by ALEKS.

ALEKS covers topics ranging from algebra to calculus. Review Math Placement Assessment Practice Questions.

Note: You will know if you have completed the assessment when you see the colorful pie chart with a placement score on your screen. If you do not see the pie chart and placement score at the end of the 150 minutes, you may not have answered enough questions for ALEKS to determine your course placement. Please go back to ALEKS through your TUportal and complete the assessment again until you are presented with the colorful pie chart and placement score.

Proctoring

Students are required to take the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment in a proctored setting. You are still able to take the assessments online and at home but will be proctored virtually. Students will receive information regarding the process in their Next Steps.

Students seeking alternative options for taking the assessment should contact the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment as soon as possible at placements@temple.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use proctoring?

Success at Temple University does not follow one particular pathway, as our students are varied and diverse in their backgrounds. For incoming students, it is important that they start on the right track, beginning with determining the appropriate courses for their first semester. 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 remote proctoring?

Remote proctoring is a method of online proctoring that allows students to take their exams from the comfort of their home or location of choice. Students are remotely proctored using Respondus Monitor, a completely automated remote proctoring vendor. There is no human proctor involved. Respondus Monitor walks students through the check-in procedures and monitors students throughout their assessment session through audio and video.

What happens after the session is complete?

A staff member reviews most assessment session recordings after the assessment is taken. Any instances of academic dishonesty are addressed. This may include invalidation of the placement assessment result and the requirement to retake the assessment in a proctored setting.

What are the requirements to take the assessment with Respondus Monitor?

As with other placement assessments, students will need a computer to take their math placement assessment. Chromebooks are not supported by Respondus Monitor. In addition to a computer, students will need a computer camera with audio.

Prior to starting the assessment, students should verify that their device meets the system requirements outlined on this site.

Students must show an unexpired identification with their full name (i.e., first and last name) and a recent photo of themselves. Examples of acceptable ID include a driver’s license, state ID, high school ID, OWLcard, etc. Students will also need to have their ID available as well as one piece of blank loose scratch paper and pencils. Students should also make sure they have adequate space to take their assessments. That includes finding a private space free from noise and distractions. Students should not leave the room for breaks during the exam, unless they have pre-approved accommodations from DRS.

Note: See Respondus Monitor Student Startup Guide for step-by step instructions.

What should I do if I experience issues?

If you experience technical issues during the assessment, you can reach out to ALEKS Support directly by phone at (800)-258-2374. You can also use their email function accessible from this link.

McGraw Hill's site provides troubleshooting tips for the Respondus Browser here.

Who do I contact if I require accommodations for placement assessments?

Please note that students who require accommodations for placement assessments must first contact Disability Resources and Services to ensure appropriate documentation prior to starting the placement process. Various accommodations, including during the remotely proctored assessment, may be available. Please contact Disability Resources and Services for additional information.

Who do I contact if I have questions about the process?

The Office of Institutional Research and Assessment at Temple University can answer any questions you have in regards to the process. You can reach the office by phone at 215-204-8611 (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM EST) or by email at placements@temple.edu.

How do I submit my SAT/ACT scores?

Each test has its own instructions on submitting official scores. Please note that scores submitted via email will not be accepted. Follow the links below for instructions on submitting your scores:
SAT: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/scores/send-scores-to-colleges/sending-scores
ACT: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/scores/sending-your-scores.html

Retakes

Students who choose to retake the math assessment have two additional attempts. ALEKS provides adaptive learning modules to help students improve their skills; modules are available after the initial assessment.

For the second attempt, students are required to complete five hours of ALEKS Learning Modules and wait 48 hours after the completion of the first assessment before starting the second.

For a third attempt, students are required to complete the assessment in person at the Temple University Test Center. First, students must complete an additional five hours of ALEKS Learning Modules after the completion of the second assessment. Next, reach out us at placements@temple.edu to set up an appointment for the assessment. There must be 48 hours between completion of the second attempt and the start of the third attempt.

From looking at prior placement assessment data, the university has found that students who have large increases in ALEKS scores and enroll in their highest course placement are often less successful in the higher level course. To set students up for success at Temple, students whose ALEKS score increases 30 or more points between the first and second attempt, must:

Contact their advisor to discuss their math course options, or
Complete a third ALEKS Math Placement Assessment in-person, or
Use the placement from their first ALEKS Math Placement Assessment to enroll in the corresponding course.

Students who take any ALEKS placement assessment within the first two weeks of the semester are required to take the assessment in person.

Results

Math placement results are available immediately through ALEKS and are posted within 2-3 business days after the completion of the assessment to the student’s Placement Results channel located within TUportal.

TU Understand Your ALEKS Score

Institutional Research and Assessment