Mathematics Placement Assessment

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Lincoln University requires a proctored ALEKS placement assessment to determine readiness for various mathematics courses. A Möbius placement assessment will be provided as an option to students who wish to either confirm course placement based on the ALEKS score, or attempt to place into a higher course than indicated by the ALEKS score. The ALEKS placement assessment covers material from Basic Math through Pre-calculus and will take approximately 90 minutes to complete. After the initial remote assessment, a targeted Preparation and Learning Module is available for the student to review and learn material, and prepare for the (proctored) placement assessment that will also be taken remotely.

All students are strongly encouraged to spend several hours using the ALEKS Prep and Learning Module. Even if a student has achieved placement in their desired course, time spent in ALEKS will better prepare them for their upcoming course and ultimately lead to better grades.

After the proctored ALEKS placement assessment is complete, the student will be eligible to register for the course into which they have been placed. As mentioned above, the student may alternatively elect to attempt a subject-specific placement assessment through Möbius. The subject of the Möbius assessment will be based on the score earned on the ALEKS assessment. Möbius subject assessments take approximately 30-45 minutes.

First of all, RELAX.  These are “assessments,” NOT TESTS. The difference is that an assessment is designed to determine what a student knows. At the end of the assessment process, a student will have a much better sense of their strengths and weaknesses in math. There is really no penalty for incorrectly answering a question on an assessment. The most important thing is that the student takes the assessments seriously and gives them an honest effort so that their scores truly reflect their level of knowledge and math preparedness.

Be honest about skill level. There is no benefit to cheating on a placement assessment – the only reward will be that the student is forced to take a class that is too difficult for their current level of mathematical knowledge. Therefore, while a student is taking an assessment, they should not consult any other source for help (friends, family, Internet searches, etc.). The purpose of the placement assessment process is to give an accurate measure of the student's current mathematical skills so that they will be successful in their mathematics courses.

 

Placement Assessment Proctored? Time Limit Number of Questions Passing Score
ALEKS (1st attempt) Unproctored 2 hours Up to 25 N/A
ALEKS (2nd attempt) Proctored 2 hours Up to 25 N/A
Möbius Basic Algebra (BA) Proctored 30 minutes 25 13
Möbius Algebra Proctored 45 minutes 32 20
Möbius Advanced Algebra (AA) Proctored 30 minutes 25 15
Möbius Trigonometry and Elementary Functions (TEF) Proctored 45 minutes 30 21
Möbius Calculus Readiness (CR) Proctored 30 minutes 25 13


A student's placement result for each ALEKS assessment is their percentage mastery of the relevant concepts. Möbius placement results vary by subject.

Course placement at Lincoln University is determined as follows: 

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How to read the above diagrams:

  • The score ranges in the second column of each diagram are among the possible results for the unproctored and proctored ALEKS placement assessments.
  • Once an ALEKS score range is determined, the student may either register for the appropriate course into which they have been placed (top diagram) or be directed to a subject-specific Möbius placement assessment (bottom diagram). For the bottom diagram, the directed Möbius assessment will be based on the following:
    • Basic Algebra if the ALEKS score is in the range 0-24.
    • Algebra if the ALEKS score is in the range 25-34.
    • Advanced Algebra if the ALEKS score is in the range 35-49.
    • Trigonometry and Elementary Functions [TEF] if the ALEKS score is in the range 50-69.
    • Calculus Readiness if the ALEKS score is in the range 70-100.
    • EXCEPTION: If a student's proctored ALEKS placement assessment score is in the range 70-100, the Möbius Calculus Readiness placement assessment MUST be completed.
  • For a particular Möbius placement assessment, the earned score will fit in one of two ranges ("pass" or "fail"), and therefore will provide an alternative means of course placement.

Example: A student scores a 30 on the ALEKS placement assessment. At this point, the student has the following options and outcomes.

  1. The student may go ahead and register for MAT-1002 or MAT-1006, depending on major (top diagram). The majors connected to the MAT-1006A/1006 track are provided in the FAQ section below. Once the student attends their first day of class, they will no longer be provided the optional Möbius placement assessment.
  2. The student may elect to move to the subject-specific Möbius placement assessment. For a score of 30, they would be directed to attempt the Algebra Möbius placement assessment (bottom diagram).
    1. The student scores an 18 on the Algebra Möbius placement assessment. Therefore, the student is placed into MAT-1002 or MAT-1006, depending on major.
    2. The student scores a 22 on the Algebra Möbius placement assessment. Therefore, the student is placed into MAT-1010.