Math Placement
How to Place Into Your Desired Math Course
There are three ways that students can place into their math courses:
- ACT/SAT test scores
- The ALEKS Placement, Preparation, and Learning (PPL) Assessment
- The UNLV Math Department Placement Exam
- The UNLV Math Bridge Program
Use Your ACT and SAT Test Scores
UNLV uses your ACT and SAT test scores to initially determine the math course you are placed in. If you do not have an ACT or SAT test score or you would like to improve your current placement, you can change your placement with the ALEKS PPL Assessment or the UNLV Math Department Placement Exam
Complete the ALEKS Placement, Preparation, and Learning (PPL) Assessment
If you do not have a qualifying ACT/SAT score or credit for the math course you wish to enroll in, UNLV requires you to complete an ALEKS PPL assessment to determine readiness.
ALEKS PPL is a web-based program that uses artificial intelligence to identify a student’s strengths and weaknesses. The assessment asks up to 25 open-response questions and generally takes 60 to 90 minutes to complete. Once you finish the assessment, an individualized Prep and Learning Module is made available to refresh your knowledge on forgotten topics. You then have the opportunity to reassess and improve their placement.
This program is provided to UNLV admitted students at no cost, and ALEKS accounts remain active for one year.
Registration
The assessment can be completed in person in a computer lab on campus or virtually on a personal computer, laptop, or iPad.
To schedule an in-person placement assessment, complete our In-Person ALEKS PPL Assessment form.
To begin the virtual assessment process, log in to myUNLV, select the Resources tile, and read the instructions on the ALEKS link page.
Take the UNLV Math Department Placement Exam
The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers an alternative to ALEKS placement. Students may take a paper-and-pencil placement test instead of the web-based ALEKS placement. Visit the Department of Mathematics Proficiency Exam page for more information.
The NSHE Gateway Enrollment And Corequisite Policy
Effective fall 2021, Nevada public colleges and universities began requiring all new, beginning students to enroll in the gateway college-level English and math courses required for their program/major within their first year of study. Some gateway courses include college-level coursework only, while others include the same college-level coursework along with corequisite instruction. Corequisite instruction delivers in-class, in-time support to ensure student success. While enrollment in courses featuring corequisite instruction is open to all students, a qualifying test score is required to enroll in courses without the corequisite support.
Required Scores for Course Placement
| Desired UNLV Math Course | ACT Score | SAT Score | ALEKS Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Math 120E + Math 20B (Corequisite Math - 5 credits) | <20 | <510 | <30 |
| Math 124E + Math 24B (Corequisite Math - 5 credits) | <22 | <530 | <46 |
| Math 126E + Math 26B (Corequisite Math - 5 credits) | <23 | <550 | <61 |
| Math 120 – Fundamentals of College Math | 20 | 510 | 30 or above |
| Math 124 – College Algebra | 22 | 530 | 46 or above |
| Math 126 – Precalculus I | 23 | 550 | 61 or above |
| Math 127 – Precalculus II | 25 | 580 | 61 or above and 41 or above trig score |
| Math 128 – Precalculus I & II | 25 | 580 | 61 or above and 41 or above trig score |
| Math 132 – Finite Mathematics | 24 | 580 | 61 or above |
| Math 181 – Elementary Calculus I | 28 | 650 | 76 or above |
College and Major Math Requirements
The math class (or classes) a student needs to complete at UNLV depends on the program of study. A list of majors can be found under each of the colleges below. If you have any questions or can not find your major, please contact your academic advisor.
Gateway Math Bridge
Students who are on track to take a five-credit corequisite math class (Math 120E+20B, 124E+24B or Math 126E+26B) may qualify for a three-credit math class by successfully completing a five-week Math Bridge Program. Successful completion of the program allows you to enroll in Math 120, 124, or 126 without having to take a standardized test.
Key Features
- The program is offered during summer sessions II and III, fall semester (October to November), and spring semester (March to April).
- The program is free and online to allow students to complete weekly assignments and assessments from the comfort of their home.
- The program is designed to help you review basic algebra skills and meet the prerequisites of College Algebra and Precalculus.
- Students will attend virtual live lessons and virtual tutoring sessions twice a week.
Participate in Math Bridge
Complete our interest form to sign up for an upcoming Math Bridge session. For any questions, contact mathbridge@unlv.edu