Mathematical Sciences Program
Math Placement Policy
Finding the Right Starting Point
Elizabethtown College Mathematical Science Program majors operate under a Math Placement Policy for enrolled students. Placement ensures you start in the course best suited to your background and goals, to confirm where you are in your professional journey.
Some students may be auto-placed into math courses using available student data, while others will take the ALEKS® Math Placement Assessment. Auto-placements are determined based on intended major, high school math history, dual enrollment transfer credit, standardized testing (SAT, ACT), and Credit through Examination (AP, CLEP, IB, etc.).
Mathematics Auto-Placement
Students with an intended major that requires or strongly suggests MA 121 Calculus I will be auto-placed into EGR 120 Applied Calculus A, MA 120 Foundations of Calculus, EGR 121 Applied Calculus B, or MA 121 Calculus I based on the following criteria.
| SAT Score | ACT Score | AP Exam Score | ALEKS Score | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – 668 | 0 – 28 | 1–2 (AP Precalculus) | 0 – 70 | MA 120 Foundations of Calculus Note: Engineering does not award EGR 120 credit through the Precalculus AP exam. |
| 670 and above | 29 and above | 3 or better (AP Precalculus) | 71 – 100 | MA 121 Calculus I* |
*Students placed into MA 120 must earn a C- or better as a prerequisite for MA 121 Calculus. Engineering students must consult with the School of Engineering and Computer Science.
Placement by Student Situation
| Student Situation | Math Placement |
|---|---|
| Intended major does not require or strongly suggest MA 121 Calculus I | MA 251 Probability and Statistics |
| Earned C- or better in MA 120 Foundations of Calculus | MA 121 Calculus I |
| Earned C- or better in PHY 120 Introductory Mathematics for Physics, or EGR 120 Applied Calculus A | EGR 121 Applied Calculus B |
| Scored 3 or better on AP Precalculus, earning transfer credit for MA 120, and intended major requires MA 121 | MA 121 Calculus I |
| Scored 3 or better on AP Calculus AB, earning transfer credit for EGR 120 Applied Calculus A | EGR 121 Applied Calculus B |
| Scored 4 or better on AP Calculus AB, earning transfer credit for EGR 120 & 121 Applied Calculus A & B | EGR 122 Applied Calculus C |
| Scored 3 or better on AP Calculus AB, earning transfer credit for MA 121 Calculus I, and intended major requires MA 122 Calculus II | MA 122 Calculus II |
| Scored 4 or better on AP Calculus AB, earning transfer credit for MA 121 Calculus I, and intended major requires MA 122 Calculus II | MA 122 Calculus II |
| Scored 3 or better on AP Calculus BC, earning transfer credit for EGR 121 Applied Calculus A and EGR 122 Applied Calculus B | EGR 122 Applied Calculus C |
| Scored 3 or better on AP Calculus BC, earning transfer credit for MA 121 Calculus I and MA 122 Calculus II, and intended major requires MA 222 Calculus III | MA 222 Calculus III |
| Scored 2 on AP Calculus AB/BC, and intended major requires or strongly suggests MA 121 | MA 121 Calculus I |
Programs Requiring Calculus: Actuarial Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Chemistry Lab Science, Chemistry Education, Economics, Financial Economics, Mathematical Business, Mathematics, Math Education
Note: All students with intended majors in Engineering or Computer Science will be placed in EGR 120 and should not take the ALEKS placement exam.
ALEKS® Math Placement Assessment
The ALEKS® Placement Assessment is a timed, proctored assessment delivered online. It is an assessment, not a test. It is designed to determine what you know for placement purposes, not to assign a grade.
Why Proctored?
Research shows that proctored math placement assessments are more likely to place students into courses where they will succeed. We believe success does not follow one pathway — our students bring a variety of experiences, and it's important that each student starts in the right course for their first semester.
Minimum Score for Calculus I
A score of 71 or above places students into Calculus I. A score below 71 places students into MA 120 Foundations of Calculus (for programs requiring Calculus).
ALEKS® Instructions
The Mathematical Sciences Program has created step-by-step instructions for completing the assessment.
Questions About Your Placement?
Contact Dr. Jodi L. Lancaster, Associate Provost for Student Learning & Dean of Faculty