College Placement Test Scores

Applying to College
1

I got my placement test scores for math (I took ALEKS online), and I got a 77/100, which places me into Calc 1 (the qualifying score is 76/100). I feel nervous, because I didn’t officially take Precalculus yet (I took Alg 1, Geometry, Alg 2, and Alg 3 w/ Basic Trig) I am perfectly fine with all the algebra and geometry, but I only know a small amount of trig (ratios and the unit circle). What should I do? Do I have to take Calculus or should I take a Precalculus course instead, and would the college allow it?

NOTE: I plan to be a Middle-Level Education major (my concentrations are Science and Social Studies).

2

You really need to check with the particular college and possibly check with any counselor to whom you have been assigned if you have already accepted admission. Colleges that require the ALEKS test vary on how they use it. For some, it is simply a recommendation and you can take whatever you actually want to take. For others, taking a math class that is below the level shown by your ALEKS score could mean that you can take it but do not get college credit toward your degree for it. For others, it sets the highest (but not lowest) level you will be allowed to take.

3

Thanks for the advice! I just got off the phone with my admissions counselor and my academic advisor (who i just met for the first time). They said I am allowed to take whatever freshman math course I want because of my score! I am going to sign up for Trigonometry, because that is the pre-requisite for Calc 1, and it does some review of Algebra. I think I change my concentration from social studies to math, because now I feel really eased about this!

4

If you could retake the test you could do better. Sometimes we just need refresh the subjects we learned. I used How To Ace The COMPASS Exam online book and was easy and simplified to review only in few pages. You could place in college-level courses. I bought it from here http://acethecompass.com/product/how-to-ace-the-compass-exam/ The ebook also included the actual test. Hope it helps

5

@Erica16 - I already registered for classes. I don’t have to take calculus now. Instead, I am taking the most hardest math course in my major: Statistics.

6

I took calculus without having taken pre-calculus and it was fine.