Math 100, Math 101 and Math 107 do not require a math placement, but Calculus coursework and higher will require either an appropriate math placement or a pre-requisite course.
If you need to take a course numbered Math 108 or higher, we may be able to provide you with a math placement based on your ACT, SAT, IB or AP scores. Please reach out to mathplacement@stthomas.edu" for more information.
If you do not have standardized test scores, or if your test scores are not sufficient for the placement you desire, you will likely need to take the ALEKS math placement assessment. This process involves the following steps:
Registering a UST student account on ALEKS, which will cost $25-30;
Taking a practice placement assessment from home;
Preparing to take an official placement assessment by working on problems in a Prep and Learning Module within the ALEKS program, tailored to your needs based on your performance on each assessment;
Taking an official placement assessment;
If applicable, retaking the official assessment up to 3 more times, allowing you additional opportunities to improve your placement.
For more information about this process, including directions for how to sign up for an appropriate account, please contact mathplacement@stthomas.edu."
Pathways Into Calculus II at St. Thomas
Advanced Placement (AP)
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Completion of Calculus I
Credit by Examination
Advanced Placement (AP)
AP Calculus AB Exam
A score of 4 or higher = Calculus I credit and permission to register for Calculus II
A score of 3 = Calculus I, but does not allow the student to proceed into Calculus II.*
AP Calculus BC Exam
A score of 4 or 5 = Calculus I and Calculus II credit
An overall BC exam score of less than 4 with an AB subscore of 4 or 5 = Calculus 1 credit and permission to register for Calculus II
An overall BC exam score of less than 4, with an AB subscore of 3 = Calculus I, but does not allow the student to proceed into Calculus II.*
If you have an AB score/subscore of 3, but need to take Calculus II for your major, please contact mathplacement@stthomas.edu for information about how to proceed.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
A score of at least 5 on the IB "Higher Level" Calculus Exam will earn you credit for Calculus I and will allow you to register for Calculus II.
Completion of Calculus I
Students can earn a prerequisite for MATH 114 (Calculus II) by completing courses at UST. There are two tracks:
MATH 113 (Calculus I)
MATH 108 (Calculus with Review I) AND MATH 109 (Calculus with Review II)
Credit by Examination
Students who have studied beginning Calculus, but have not received UST credit for it, are invited to take a Calculus I examination. The cost is $150. The exam covers limits, continuity, derivatives and integrals through the substitution method. For additional details, contact the Mathematics Department Office at mathematics@stthomas.edu.
Advanced Placement (AP)
AP Calculus AB Exam
A score of 4 or higher = Calculus I credit and permission to register for Calculus II
A score of 3 = Calculus I, but does not allow the student to proceed into Calculus II.*
AP Calculus BC Exam
A score of 4 or 5 = Calculus I and Calculus II credit
An overall BC exam score of less than 4 with an AB subscore of 4 or 5 = Calculus 1 credit and permission to register for Calculus II
An overall BC exam score of less than 4, with an AB subscore of 3 = Calculus I, but does not allow the student to proceed into Calculus II.*
If you have an AB score/subscore of 3, but need to take Calculus II for your major, please contact mathplacement@stthomas.edu for information about how to proceed.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
A score of at least 5 on the IB "Higher Level" Calculus Exam will earn you credit for Calculus I and will allow you to register for Calculus II.
Completion of Calculus I
Students can earn a prerequisite for MATH 114 (Calculus II) by completing courses at UST. There are two tracks:
MATH 113 (Calculus I)
MATH 108 (Calculus with Review I) AND MATH 109 (Calculus with Review II)
Credit by Examination
Students who have studied beginning Calculus, but have not received UST credit for it, are invited to take a Calculus I examination. The cost is $150. The exam covers limits, continuity, derivatives and integrals through the substitution method. For additional details, contact the Mathematics Department Office at mathematics@stthomas.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, there is a $26 fee for your ALEKS PPL account. This fee covers access to a Prep and Learning Module, along with 1 practice assessment and 4 placement assessments.
We encourage you to meet with the math placement tutor, Arden, to learn how to prepare for the assessment. Email Arden at ashl0004@stthomas.edu to schedule an appointment.
Yes, you may take up to 4 placement assessments. Between each assessment you must wait 24 hours and spend at least five hours in the prep and learning module. If you plan to retake an assessment, we encourage you to meet with the math placement tutor, Arden, before your next attempt. Email Arden at ashl0004@stthomas.edu to schedule an appointment.
The first placement assessment is only for practice and is not proctored or monitored. The practice assessment will not only give you a sense of how close you are to your target score, but it will also allow ALEKS to create a customized preparation module that you can use to prepare for your official placement. Your official placement will be based on an assessment that will either be proctored in-person on the St. Paul campus, or monitored remotely using your webcam. Only proctored or monitored math assessments are considered for official placement results.
Most students take between 60-90 minutes to complete the assessment, but this depends greatly on the specific questions that the student is given. The assessment is adaptive, so the difficulty of the questions will increase as you answer questions correctly. You are free to complete the assessment at your own pace, but must complete the exam assessment within two hours.
Your placement result is your percentage mastery on the latest assessment. Your placement result is valid for 2 years. You must achieve the minimum placement result to take each corresponding class. Please email Nathan Harding with any questions about your placement level.
