Hi all,
I am a prospective liberal arts major at Penn State University Park. I recently took the ALEKS Math assessment, and I was wondering if anyone could tell me more about the placement process for scheduling classes. I’ve read everything available on the PSU website, but I still have some questions. Does my score mean I can only get into the math classes in my score category? I am not going to be a math major and I’d rather take an easier math than what I was placed into. Will I be able to do this? Math is not my strong suit and I’d prefer to take challenging classes that relate to my major.
Thanks!
What’s your major? Check when math you need on their web page… they will place you in a math class depending on your major requirements. The most important part is to get it done fore new students orientation
I think it means that lets say your major requires you to take Math 140 (an example, I have no idea the major requirements), but you didn’t place into the score category that directly allows you to sign up for Math 140 (your score was too low), you’d have to take whatever the other courses are in the chart prior to signing up for Math 140, (ex/ if you got a score of 60, you would need to take Math 22, and Math 26, in order to sign up for Math 140). There is a chart if you look up Aleks math assesment. You can always take your math courses over the summer at your local community college for hopefully an easier course, so long as the credits transfer.
Depending on your specific liberal arts major, you may need just the Gen Ed requirements, or Stat 200.
@swanlake15
With ALEKS you test in to Math - although you can choose to take lower math classes- but that is not a wise choice (hoping that will be clear when you finish reading this). Look at your degree requirements and find the math class that is required. Did your score allow you to take that level? If yes I would suggest taking that level at a CC over the summer- for two reasons 1. Take the class now while you still remember your current level of math 2. Take at CC so you will receive credits but not be penalized with your GPA (credits transfer But GPAdoes not)
Now if you did not place to that level and need to take a lower level math -I would still take them at CC and transfer credits - that will enable you to have a better GPA and allow you to take classes for your major at Penn State.
I will warn you summer classes are time consuming- so expect to spend a lot of time on homework.
Also KHAN Academy has free online courses that you should use for help
My major will be English or history, I think. I want to be a lawyer.
Thank you!
OP, I thnk your question is " If I place into Math 140, but I only need Math 21 for my major, do I have to take Math 140 anyway?" and the answer is no, you don’t have to take Math 140 just because you placed into it. . You can’t take above your placement, but yo can take below it if that’s not a problem for your major.
If you take a course elsewhere, be sure to check the transfer tool FIRST, to see how, and if, the course transfers to Penn State.
That was my question! Thank you all!