Frequently Asked Questions about Math Placement

Not everyone needs to be placed in mathematics. Only students who will be taking any courses that have mathematics prerequisites must be placed in mathematics. To establish math placement, you may need to take the placement assessment. Exceptions can be found on the page Math Requirements and How to Satisfy Them.

Yes, after 18 months of passing the assessment at the required level. If you are planning on using the results to satisfy the math prerequisite for a course you want to take, you will need to take the placement assessment again and pass it at the required level.

No. If we establish at the initial Math Placement Meeting that you need assessment, you must take the scheduled assessment at that time. However, before you arrive at MIU you may request the opportunity to take a practice assessment and study on your own using an ALEKS PPL module. (Email Connie Eyberg at mathadmin@miu.edu). We strongly advise you to take this opportunity seriously. If you don’t do this, you will be given instructions how to sign up for ALEKS PPL at the initial Math Placement Meeting. On the other hand, the results of the assessment at this point are not written in stone. You do have the opportunity to use your ALEKS PPL module to study on your own for a year and to take up to three more proctored assessments within a one-year period from signing up. But we need this initial proctored assessment for planning your schedule for the year.

None. They aren’t allowed. Cell phones and smart watches are not allowed either.

No, but if you change your mind later, you will need to take a math placement assessment then.

No, but you will need to sign a form that you accept placement into Math 051 Basic Mathematics (the lowest level). On the other hand, you would find it very useful to take the opportunity to review and practice your math using an ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning Module. This will give you more confidence in your math and the opportunity to take the proctored assessment later, if you should decide to take a course with a math prerequisite.

Yes and no. If you took the official College Board Advanced Placement Exam for Calculus A or B with a grade of 4 or above, then you will get transfer credit for MATH281 or MATH282 and don’t need to take a waiver exam or placement assessment. If not, then you may  try to waive Calculus 1 or Calculus 2 by taking the calculus waiver exams. If you take and don’t pass the Calculus 1 waiver exam, or if you opt not to take it, then you must take the ALEKS PPL assessment for the courses that precede calculus, in order to take any  course with MATH051, 152, 153, 161, or 162 as prerequisite.

Yes and no.

No, if the course is deemed by MIU to be equivalent to one of MIU’s calculus courses, was passed with a grade of B or above at most 3 years prior to entering MIU, the college or university is acceptable to MIU, and the course was taught by a mathematics department. In that case, you will be given transfer credit for MATH281 or MATH282 and don’t need to take a waiver exam or ALEKS math placement assessment.

Yes, if not all of the above are satisfied by your course. In this case, you may  try to waive Calculus 1 or Calculus 2 by taking the calculus waiver exams. If you take and don’t pass the Calculus 1 waiver exam, or if you opt not to take it, then you must take the ALEKS PPL assessment for the courses that precede calculus, in order to take any  course with MATH051, 152, 153, 161, or 162 as prerequisite

Yes, if your major requires any math courses or prerequisites, or if you intend to take any course with a math prerequisite. The results of the math placement assessment take precedence over transfer credit at this level.

Yes, the ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning system used at MIU allows you to take the assessment three additional times in a one-year period. Furthermore, it gives you practice between assessments for a year.

No. MIU provides courses for you to review math you don’t remember. It does not have a system of tutors specifically for math placement purposes. If you would like to hire a private tutor, please ask Connie Eyberg at mathadmin@miu.edu for names and numbers of local math tutors in Fairfield. On the other hand, you can use an ALEKS module to review for up to a year. Many students find ALEKS PPL quite adequate for reviewing math.

If the course you took elsewhere qualifies for transfer credit for MATH162, MATH281, MATH282, MATH272, or MATH286, then you do not need to take a placement assessment. Your course takes precedence. If if does not qualify,  or if your course is equivalent to MATH051, 152, 153, or 161, then the grade on the math placement assessment or waiver exam takes precedence and you do need to take and pass the math placement assessment at that level or waiver exam in order to waive that course.

Yes, if it has been more than 18 months since you took the placement assessment before and you intend to take any course with a math prerequisite.

Yes, you will need to set up an appointment with Connie Eyberg mathadmin@miu.edu.

No. You need to actually take a course in mathematics. You cannot fulfill this requirement by taking a placement assessment.

Yes. The units for any course you place out of that is required for your major counts towards the total units required for that major, although the units will not count towards the 128 total units required for graduation.

Not necessarily. There have been students at MIU who started with Elementary Algebra and completed a math major. Starting with Basic Mathematics is also possible. But please do consult with your academic adviser to see if it is right for you.