math 

All incoming students must meet Math placement criteria through ONE of the following means:

Math Placement Test  

• ALEKS test (most freshmen will take this test) - This test will determine placement from Algebra through Calculus I. 

  • Your score is important and will determine your starting math class. 

    • Please ensure you have sufficient time and limited distractions before taking the test. 

    • Your score will be available in ALEKS as soon as you complete the test.

    • You may take this test up to 5 times if you want to improve your score after the first attempt. 

    • Between each attempt, you must wait at least 48 hours and complete at least 3 hours of work in the learning modules.

  • This test is timed. 

    • You have 3 hours to complete the test. Most students complete it in about an hour.

    • Please do not open it before you are ready to complete it.

    • If you are currently eligible for academic accommodations contact SLU's Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources  at accessibility_disability@slu.edu regarding

    • placement testing accommodations.

  • If you experience problems while taking the test, click here: ALEKS Student Support or call 800-258-2374.  

      Calculus 2 & 3 Placement Tests (optional)

• • These tests are for students who have taken calculus and want to place into Calculus 2 or Calculus 3. 

  • Programs that require Calculus 2 or higher include Computer Science, Data Science, all Engineering majors, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biostatistics, and Chemical Bio and Pharmacology.

  • You should score 76 or higher on ALEKS before attempting either of these tests.

  • You may take these tests only once.

  • The tests are not timed, but you should expect to spend approximately 1 hour on either test.

  • You are allowed to use a graphing calculator.

  • Click HERE to access the Calculus 2 & 3 placement tests (and then choose which course you are trying to test into)

  • You will need to log in with your SLUNet ID (for MySLU). Your password is your 9-digit SLU ID number, including any leading zeros.

  • A score of 70% on the test is required for placement.

College Credit  (most transfer students and some freshmen meet this criteria)

• Freshmen

SLU 1818 credit:  Students who have completed a math course through SLU’s 1818 Program do not need to take the Placement Test, provided the course is complete with a grade of C- or higher and posted in Banner. Students who completed coursework more than a year ago may benefit from the placement test to provide more current information and access to content review.  

Non-SLU and AP/IB credit cannot substitute for the placement test.  Placement test results are necessary for advising and registration, which often occur before these scores/transcripts are available. Once transcripts are received and evaluated, credit will be posted per University policy, and initial placement may be adjusted. 

• Transfer Students  

Students who have already completed a math course at the College Algebra level or higher at an accredited college or university (Determine Course Equivalencies)  do not need to take the placement test. The course must be complete with a grade of C or better and posted on an official transcript that has already been sent to SLU – it cannot be a current, in-progress course.  Students who completed coursework more than a year ago may benefit from the placement test to provide more current information and access to content review.