MC Math Guided Placement
Math, Statistics and Data Science department faculty members want to welcome you to Montgomery College!
If you need an accommodation related to your disability to complete your ALEKS Math Placement, contact Disability Support Services before you begin any exams.
The ALEKS placement test is designed to be taken prior to starting MATH classes at Montgomery College. If you have taken a MATH class at MC, you must get permission from the MATH department PRIOR to taking the placement test by contacting: mathplacement@montgomerycollege.edu.
Honesty Matters at MC
There is no benefit to inflating or deflating your abilities on the math placement test.
Your scores will not change your ability to take courses at Montgomery College. We use your scores to help you choose the most appropriate courses for your incoming knowledge level and academic path.
Dishonest work on this test could hinder your ability to receive financial aid or hurt your GPA by placing you into a more advanced course than you are ready for.
Cheating is a violation of Montgomery College’s Student Code of Conduct and is taken seriously. You are required to follow the honor policy below when taking tests:
Do not receive help from others.
Do not use the Internet or other outside resources.
Do not use your own calculator. (A calculator is provided in ALEKS when needed.)
Do not use your cell phone.
ALEKS Math placement test
If your first language is American English or you have attended a US school for 10 or more years (elementary, middle, high school), you will take the ALEKS Math placement test.
Non-native speakers of English may take the ALEKSMath placement test after completing ESL Guided Placement. A placement level of ELAR 970 or higher is required to take this math placement test.
What is ALEKS Math Placement?
Montgomery College offers ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning (ALEKS PPL) assessment to determine readiness for mathematics courses.
ALEKS Math consists of the following items:
A tools tutorial that will help you learn about types of questions, content, and math tools that will be available during your tests.
Diagnostic (Test 1): You cannot use the result of this test to register for classes. The result of this test will create an individualized learning module that you will complete to refresh your math skills. You will complete this test in your own time with any digital device and a reliable Internet connection while following the honor policy stated above. Once you begin the Diagnostic (Test 1), you will have 48 hours to complete and submit the test. Otherwise, it will reset, and you will have to re-do the Diagnostic.
Test 2: Once you’ve completed the Diagnostic (Test 1), ALEKS will assign you a Prep and Learning Module that is built based on the results of the diagnostic. Once you have done at least 3 hours of work in the ALEKS learning module and 24 hours has passed since you completed Test 1, you will see Test 2 available to take on your ALEKS home page. Keep in mind that you can continue to work in the learning module for more than 3 hours. The more practice the better! When you are ready to test, just click on Test 2 and take it similarly to Test 1 while following the same honor policy. After Test 2, you should make an appointment with Counseling & Advising to discuss your course placement. To meet with a counselor, follow the instructions in this webpage: Meet with a Counselor/Advisor.
Test 3 (if necessary): If after consulting with a counselor or academic advisor, you feel that your course placement does not reflect your actual skill level you can retake the placement test. You must complete an additional 5 hours minimum in your learning module before the retest. However, you are encouraged to spend as much time in the learning module as you need in order to refresh your knowledge.
All tests are untimed. However, you only have 48 hours to finish once you begin. The typical test is 1-2 hours. Your test can be longer or shorter depending on your performance.
How Do I Take the ALEKS Math Placement Test?
Step One:
Go to ALEKSnew window to open and create your account. You will need your MyMC login information.
Once your ALEKS account is created, you can login to your ALEKS module anytime at ALEKSnew window using your MyMC username and password.
Students have one year from the time they activate their placement account to complete the placement process. After that time, your ALEKS account will expire. Exceptions to extend and/or reset your ALEKS account are considered on a case-by-case basis by the math department.
Step Two:
Login to ALEKSnew window follow the directions, and complete the Tools Tutorial.
When complete, ALEKS will automatically start you in Diagnostic (Test 1).
You will need about 2 hours of uninterrupted time, a paper and pencil, and a reliable internet connection.
Step Three:
Complete a minimum of 3 hours of honest work in your learning module.
You are strongly encouraged to work more than 3 hours in order to refresh your knowledge and to help ensure that you are placed appropriately.
Step Four:
Take Test 2 in your own time. Follow the honor policy mentioned above.
After you complete a minimum of 3 hours of work in the learning module and 24 hours has passed since you completed Test 1, you will see Test 2 available to take on your ALEKS home page.
Keep in mind that you can continue to work in the learning module before taking this test.
When you are ready to test just click on Test 2 and take it similarly to Test 1.
How Will I Get My Test Scores?
You can always view your scores in your ALEKSnew window account. You should schedule a meeting with a counselor or advisor after completing Test 2. Your scores will be uploaded and registration for classes can occur the day after your test. Remember that Test 1 is used as a diagnostic. It does not count for registration purposes and it will not upload in the college system.
What If I Need Technical Support?
If you experience difficulty with your MyMC login:
Email: itservicedesk@montgomerycollege.edu
Call: (240) 567-7222 for IT Support.
If you experience technical difficulties within ALEKS, please contact ALEKS Support
Telephone: (800) 258 – 2374
What if I need math assistance?
If you need math help, please contact: mathplacement@montgomerycollege.edu.
One of the master tutors, Ms. Nafeesa Azizi, Ms. Lori Christy, or Ms. Xiaoni (Sunny) Zhang will assist you.
For ALEKS Scores 0-45:
| Score Range (0-13) | Score Range (14-29) | Score Range (30-45) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Majors that focus on the sciences (e.g., biology, science education, chemistry), math, math education, or engineering |
WDCE (Workforce Development and Continuing Education) |
MATH045/050 (Foundations of Algebra Support/Foundations of Algebra) |
MATH050 (Foundations of Algebra) |
| Majors that focus on business (e.g., accounting, finance, marketing, economics) or information systems |
WDCE (Workforce Development and Continuing Education) |
MATH045/050 (Foundations of Algebra Support/Foundations of Algebra) |
MATH050 |
| Majors that focus on communications (including advertising), social sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology, criminology) |
WDCE (Workforce Development and Continuing Education) |
MATH 017/117 (Elements of Statistics Support/Elements of Statistics) |
MATH117 |
| Majors that focus on elementary and early childhood education |
WDCE (Workforce Development and Continuing Education) |
MATH030/130 (Elementary Math I Support/Elementary Math I) |
MATH030/130 (Elementary Math I Support/Elementary Math I) |
| Majors that focus on the arts, humanities (e.g., history, philosophy, literature), or languages |
WDCE (Workforce Development and Continuing Education) |
MATH 017/117 (Elements of Statistics Support/Elements of Statistics) |
MATH117 |
For ALEKS Scores 46-100:
| Score Range (46-60) | Score Range (61-75) | Score Range (76-100) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Majors that focus on the sciences (e.g., biology, science education, chemistry), math, math education, or engineering |
MATH098 (Intro to Trigonometry) |
MATH165 (Precalculus) |
MATH181 (Calculus I) |
| Majors that focus on business (e.g., accounting, finance, marketing, economics) or information systems |
MATH050 (Foundations of Algebra) |
MATH150 (Elementary Applied Calculus I) |
MATH150 (Elementary Applied Calculus I) |
| Majors that focus on communications (including advertising), social sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology, criminology) |
MATH117 (Elements of Statistics) |
MATH117 (Elements of Statistics) |
MATH117 (Elements of Statistics) |
| Majors that focus on elementary and early childhood education |
MATH130 (Elementary Math I) |
MATH130 (Elementary Math I) |
MATH130 (Elementary Math I) |
| Majors that focus on the arts, humanities (e.g., history, philosophy, literature), or languages |
MATH117 (Elements of Statistics) |
MATH117 (Elements of Statistics) |
MATH117 (Elements of Statistics) |
* Please note that your eligibility to take math courses also depends on your reading and English placement.