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Calculus Placement Exam

Determining your Calculus Placement

 

All STEM students should submit their standardized test scores or take the ALEKS placement exam before SPOP

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Are you an incoming student with eligible SAT, ACT, and/or AP scores?

  • Send your test results to UCI Admissions right away to place into Math courses without taking the ALEKS Calculus assessment. In the event of processing delays, be prepared to provide your academic advisor with an unofficial copy of these documents. 

Eligible scores can be seen below by test type:

SAT/ACT Scores

You will be cleared to enroll in Math 2A (Single Variable Calculus I) or Math 5A (Calculus for Life Sciences) if at least one of the two items are satisfied.

    • You scored 650 or above on the math portion of the SAT
    • You received a math score of 29 or above on the ACT

Note: Scores from the SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 1 or Level 2 are NOT used for placing you into Calculus at UC Irvine.

 

AP Scores

You will be cleared to enroll in Math 2B (Single Variable Calculus II) if

    • You scored 3, 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus AB test
    • You scored a 3 on the AP Calculus BC test

You will be cleared to enroll in Math 2D (Multivariable Calculus I) if

      • You scored 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus BC test
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If your scores are ineligible for placing into Math 2A/5A:

  • You can meet the pre-requisites by doing one of the following:

 

Completing ALEKS Placement Exam with a score of 80% or higher

Please see the ALEKS Student Guide for step-by-step instructions on taking the test.

Preparing for ALEKS Placement

You must use this link to purchase and access the ALEKS Calculus Placement Exam. 

 

Proctoring Instructions

This exam MUST be taken in the presence of a valid proctor, who will provide you the password to access the exam.

The two options for proctoring this exam are:

  • Proctoring Option 1: Sign up to take the placement exam(s) via our online proctoring service, ProctorU, for an additional fee of $19.
  • Proctoring Option 2: Register to take the placement exam at our office on campus for free. You may schedule an appointment online through Campus Groups.

Test Information

You are given two attempts. If you do not receive a score of 80% on your first attempt, then you must work in the ALEKS learning module for a minimum of 10 hours before you can take your second (and final) attempt. It should be noted that these modules are not accessible before your first attempt. The second attempt cannot be taken within 48 hours of the first attempt.

The exam has a two-hour time limit. You may have pencil and blank scratch paper at hand to assist you while you take your assessment. Academic integrity is an expectation for all UC Irvine students.

Your placement result from ALEKS will be posted on the Academic Testing Center website within two working days of your taking the assessment. 

Your placement result from ALEKS placement will be valid for one calendar year.

Note: Tablets, Chromebooks, and the Chrome browser are not supported at this time.

ALEKS Technical Support

OR

Completing Math 1B with a grade of C- or higher

A grade of C- or better in Mathematics 1B will allow you to enroll in Mathematics 2A or 5A.

If you have not taken Precalculus, Math 1B is the recommended class to take. 

Unsure of which class to take? Take the self-placement quiz! Make sure to check your major/department requirements to determine placement.

Summer 2024 Note: For Summer Precalculus (Math 1A & 1B) and Calculus Courses (Math 2A, 2B, 5A, & 5B), no placement test is needed to enroll in these courses.  Students can register directly for the course that is best for them during Summer Sessions 1 or 2.  These courses are offered online during both summer sessions.