Incoming students may need to enroll in higher-level prerequisite courses for math or chemistry during their first semester at UTSA depending on their major. One way to place into these courses is by taking an ALEKS Placement assessment. Students can log into their Rowdy Ready in their myUTSA Admissions portal to see if it’s required or recommended.
ALEKS Math
For many majors (science, business, technology and math), it’s strongly recommended that you take math placement before registering for classes. All Engineering, Biology, Microbiology & Immunology, Biochemistry, Chemistry and Computer Science majors are required to take the ALEKS Math Placement or place via qualifying precalculus or calculus dual credit, AP or CLEP score to be placed into calculus for their first semester at UTSA.
Why should I take ALEKS Math?
Completing ALEKS Math Placement could allow you to test into a higher prerequisite course for your first semester, which could help you graduate sooner.
You should take the ALEKS Math Placement if you are TSI complete in Math and need to take a math course higher than College Algebra, as it is one way you can fulfill the prerequisites to enroll in Pre-Calculus or Calculus.
Math Placement is required for Engineering, Biology, Microbiology & Immunology, Biochemistry, Chemistry and Computer Science Majors.
How to be Calculus Ready?
New students will be registered for their first semester after they meet with their Academic Advisor. To be able to enroll in Calculus I or a higher level math class, you must be TSI Complete and have one of the following:
- Score 3 or higher on the AP Calculus Exam (Calculus AB or Calculus BC). Bring your AP scores with you when you meet with your Academic Advisor during Orientation.
- Score 50 or higher on the CLEP Precalculus Exam.
- Transfer in credits from taking a pre-calculus course with passing grades either through dual-credit (for freshmen) or transfer work. You must submit your transcript to UTSA.
- Work through the ALEKS learning modules and achieve the required mastery scores. See below for more details.
How do I take ALEKS Math?
- Launch ALEKS
To begin, log into your myUTSA Admissions portal and find your application under “My Admission Applications” section. Click on the orange “Review Details & Checklist” at the bottom of the tile. View your checklist under the “Your Rowdy Ready Status.” Click on the ALEKS Math Placement link. This will launch the ALEKS system where you can log in using your myUTSA ID and passphrase. Once you’re in ALEKS, you are prompted to enter an ID. Use only your myUTSA ID. - Take the Initial Math Assessment
Before you can start the ALEKS assessment modules, you must first take an initial math placement assessment (think of this as a pre-test). Please do not use any external calculators or other outside aids during this initial assessment. Grab some scratch paper and make sure you have at least two hours to take the initial assessment. There is no time limit for the learning modules. - Master the Assessment Modules
After the initial placement assessment, you’ll gain access to targeted learning modules that will help prepare you for calculus. By achieving the required placement score for each learning module (as specified in the Content Mastery Table), you will be placed into either Pre-Calculus or Calculus I at UTSA.
Important things to note:
- You have unlimited attempts to reach the specified mastery levels for placement.
- Each attempt has a time limit of 24 hours.
- You can view your placement score on the ALEKS dashboard after each attempt.
- Attempts cannot be combined.
- Scores will be downloaded into your myUTSA Account within one business day.
- To see the target mastery percentages required to be placed into Pre-Calculus and Calculus, view the Content Mastery Table.
ALEKS Math Testing Fee
The ALEKS assessment system will charge a $40 testing fee, which will be included in your UTSA Tuition and Fees bill. The fee covers access to the ALEKS system for up to one year, the initial assessment, the learning modules and a UTSA administrative fee.
Need help? Contact UTSA Testing Services at testinfo@utsa.edu or call 210-458-4125
ALEKS Chemistry
All Chemistry, Engineering, Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Physics, Multidisciplinary Science, Kinesiology, Nutrition & Dietetics and Medical Humanities majors are strongly encouraged to take the ALEKS Chemistry Placement or place via qualifying dual credit, AP or CLEP score to be placed into General Chemistry for their first semester at UTSA.
Why should I take ALEKS Chemistry?
All students who want to enroll in General Chemistry, CHEM 1103, must first pass the ALEKS Chemistry course with a score of 70% on the knowledge check assessment or place via qualifying dual credit, AP or CLEP score.
How to be Chemistry Ready?
In order to place into General Chemistry (CHE 1103), you must meet one of the following:
- AP Chemistry 3 or greater
- A grade of “C-” or better in CHE 1073
- Above 70% mastery in the ALEKS Chemistry assessment
How do I take ALEKS Chemistry?
Log into your myUTSA Admissions portal, find your application under “My Admission Applications” section. Click on the orange “Review Details & Checklist” at the bottom of the tile. View your checklist under the “Your Rowdy Ready Status.” Click on the ALEKS Chemistry Placement link. This will launch the ALEKS system where you can log in using your myUTSA ID and passphrase. Once you’re in ALEKS, you are prompted to enter an ID. Use only your myUTSA ID. Read the instructions and begin the Chemistry preparation course in ALEKS.
ALEKS Chemistry Testing Fee
The ALEKS assessment system will charge a $60 testing fee, which will be included in your UTSA Tuition and Fees bill. The fee covers access to the ALEKS system for up to one year, the initial assessment, the learning modules and a UTSA administrative fee.
Need help? Contact UTSA Testing Services at testinfo@utsa.edu or call 210-458-4125