Basic Mathematical Skills Competency

Every undergraduate student who is seeking a first bachelor’s degree must demonstrate a basic level of competency in mathematics as a condition for continuing enrollment at East Stroudsburg University. Because the skills that a student demonstrates by satisfying this competency requirement are essential for a successful undergraduate experience, including satisfactory completion of collegiate level mathematics and quantitative reasoning based requirements, the university requires that students demonstrate these skills early in their university attendance.

Under no circumstances will a student graduate without having met this requirement. Following are means for meeting this requirement and a summary of the university’s developmental approach to students who fail to meet this requirement in a timely fashion.

Means for Demonstrating Basic Mathematical Skills Competency

This competency may be demonstrated in any of the following ways:

  1. A Math SAT score of 500 or higher;
  2. A grade of 3 or higher in an AP Calculus or Statistics test;
  3. A passing score on the “College Mathematics” CLEP test;
  4. A mathematics transfer course that is applicable toward satisfying the East Stroudsburg University general education requirement in Science: Mathematics, and which was taken within five years of the date of admission; or
  5. A passing grade of any college level MATH class taken at ESU

If students have not satisfied the requirement based on SAT, AP or CLEP scores, or transfer credit, they will have an opportunity to take the ALEKS placement exam before attending an new student orientation.

ALEKS Placement

East Stroudsburg University (ESU) requires an ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning (ALEKS PPL) Assessment to determine readiness for mathematics courses. ALEKS PPL is a web-based program that uses artificial intelligence to map a student’s strengths and weaknesses. The Placement Assessment is up to 30 questions and generally takes 60-90 minutes to complete. After the Placement Assessment, an individualized Prep and Learning Module is available for students to refresh their knowledge on forgotten topics. Students then have the opportunity to reassess and improve their placement.

ALEKS consists of three parts:

  • An Initial Placement Assessment
  • The Prep and Learning Module, an individualized, self-paced online review
  • Access to four additional Placement Assessments (if needed to improve your score

ESU encourages each student to spend time in the Prep and Learning Module, even if the desired score is achieved, because time spent in ALEKS will ultimately lead to better preparation and improved grades.

Got your Score?

Use the table below to see which course(s) your ALEKS score shows you are ready to attempt.  Note that most courses don't have an upper limit.  Any student who meets the minimum threshold can take those courses.  The courses with upper limits are designed for students who might benefit from extra support in their math classes.

 

Course number and name

Minimum Score

Maximum Score if applicable

MATH 090 Intermediate Algebra

0

30

MATH 100 Numbers Sets and Structures

30

 

MATH 101 Excursions in Mathematics

30

 

MATH 105 Problem Solving for Pre-K
to Grade 8 Education Majors
(education majors only)

30

 

MATH 110 General Statistics

46

 

MATH 111 General Statistics with
Introductory Mathematics

22

45

MATH 129 Applied Algebraic
Methods with Foundational Mathematics

22

45

MATH 130 Applied Algebraic Methods

46

 

MATH 135 Precalculus

61

 

MATH 140 Calculus I

76