Navigating the Math Placement Test at UCLA: A Comprehensive Guide for Incoming Bruins

Embarking on your academic journey at UCLA as a new Bruin is an exciting time. To ensure a smooth transition, understanding placement tests, especially the Math Placement Test (MPT), is crucial. This article provides a detailed overview of the MPT, its importance, and how to navigate it successfully. Don't forget to check your spam/junk folders for important communications from UCLA.

Understanding the Math Placement Test (MPT)

The UCLA Math Diagnostic Test is designed to assess your readiness for specific calculus courses. It helps determine the most appropriate math course for you based on your current skill level. The test is administered online through ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning (ALEKS PPL), a third-party assessment tool.

Who Needs to Take the MPT?

You should determine if you need to take the online Math Placement Test (MPT) if you plan to enroll in one of the following classes:

Math 1 Pre-Calculus
Math 3A Calculus (for Life Science Students)
Math 31A Differential and Integral Calculus (for Physical Sciences Students)
Math 31AL Differential and Integral Calculus Laboratory (for Physical Sciences Students)

Specifically, students should take the MDT by July 1 if any of these are true:

They do not have AP credit for Math 31A
They do not have transferred course credit from a community college or 4-year institution for Math 1, Math 3A, Math 31A, or Math 31AL. High school course credit cannot be used to waive these courses.
They are waiting for results from AP Calculus AB or BC exam

To confirm credit for AP test results or transferred courses, check your Degree Progress/Audit Report on MyUCLA.

Read also: Navigating Math Courses

Key Dates and Deadlines

It is crucial to complete the MPT by July 1 so that your placement is available when you register for classes during New Student Orientation. The UCLA Department of Mathematics recommends that students take the test at least two weeks before their enrollment pass opens. During fall, winter and spring quarters, the diagnostic test is closed on Friday of week 2 and reopens on Monday of week 4.

Cost of the MPT

There is a $20 non-refundable charge since the test is operated by a third party - ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning (ALEKS PPL).

Test Format and Scoring

The UCLA math diagnostic test is administered via Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) Placement, Preparation and Learning, an online assessment tool, and costs $20. According to the mathematics department, the assessment will ask 20-30 questions and must be completed in one uninterrupted two to three hour sitting, as students cannot pause taking the test.

ALEKS is not a multiple-choice Placement Assessment. It is open-response and requires you to work out solutions with a paper and pencil, then enter them into ALEKS. You may only use a pen or pencil, paper, and the resources provided within ALEKS.

Placement Based on Score

A score of above 80% on the UCLA math diagnostic test places a student into Math 31A or Math 3A; scores of 60%-80% place a student into Math 31AL; and a score of 30% or higher places a student into Math 1, according to the math department. Math 31A and Math 31AL cover the same topics but differ in that Math 31AL contains an extra hour per week of instruction covering precalculus material, according to the department.

Retaking the Test and Utilizing Prep Modules

Students who are not satisfied with their placement test score can retake the test 48 hours after the previous test was completed and after spending five hours on the Prep and Learning Module, which is only available to students who have taken the test at least once.

Prep and Learning Modules

This is a perfect opportunity to take advantage of the Prep and Learning Modules offered within ALEKS PPL. An individualized study plan will be created based on your performance on the Initial Placement Assessment. Congratulations! Continue to use your Prep and Learning Module to improve your chances for success. The placement result required is the minimum preparation for your course.

After your first baseline, you may take up to 2 Placement Assessments retakes. You must wait 48 hours between Placement Assessments. There is generally no benefit to re-taking the Placement Assessment immediately after completing a prior attempt. You will have six months of access to your Prep and Learning module. Access to the prep course will not begin until you select start on the top of your screen.

Academic Integrity

By participating in this test, the student agrees to comply with all UCLA policies and procedures on academic integrity. If UCLA and/or the UCLA Mathematics Department determine that a student has acted dishonestly, appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken, up to and including being banned from math courses. Since this is a placement test, it is in your best interest not to cheat.

AP Credit and Course Placement

UCLA accepts some high school Advanced Placement (AP) test scores as university mathematics course replacements. For example, a student who earns a score of four on the AP Calculus BC exam can enroll in Math 31B immediately without taking the prerequisite Math 31A and the placement test.

Read also: Strategies for Adult Math Success

Other Placement Exams at UCLA

Other placement exams at UCLA include the Informed Placement Process for students who have not satisfied the Entry Level Writing Requirement; the chemistry diagnostic test, a non-mandatory diagnostic exam for students planning to enroll in certain chemistry courses; the music theory placement exam, which is required for School of Music students; and foreign language placement exams.

Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR)

All incoming first-year students must demonstrate their proficiency with critical reading and analytical writing in English by fulfilling the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR).

The following scores on standardized tests satisfy ELWR:

30 or better on ACT English Language Arts
or 63 or better on ACT English and ACT Reading sections

The English Language Arts score represents your overall performance on the English, Reading, and Writing sections of the exam

680 or higher on the College Board SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section
3 or higher on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination in English Language or English Literature or Advance Placement Seminar examination
or the Advanced Placement Research Examination
5 or higher on the International Baccalaureate Higher Level Examination in English (Language A or A1 only)
6 or higher on the International Standard Level Examination in English (Language A or A1 only)
Complete a UC transferable college course in English composition with a grade of C or better before enrolling at UCLA.

Once enrolled at UCLA, you must complete the ELWR writing requirement by taking UCLA composition courses only.

Admitted students who have not satisfied ELWR by June 1 are required to complete the Informed Placement Process (IPP) at UCLA. The IPP was previously known as the Analytical Writing Placement Exam. In order to have a placement for fall enrollment, you will need to complete the IPP at least 2 weeks prior to your New Student Orientation. There is a $167 fee for the IPP, but please note that this amount may change without prior notice. Students will be billed after they take it unless they have a fee waiver.

About 2-3 weeks after you complete the IPP, you can log in to MyUCLA to see if you satisfied the ELWR using your UCLA Logon ID. Please go to your Degree Progress/Audit Report and look under "Entry Level Writing/ESL Requirement" to see which English Composition course you will start with. If you don't see a result, your New Student Advisor can advise you when you attend your New Student Orientation. Results of the IPP won’t affect your admission to UCLA.

Chemistry Diagnostic Exam

If you plan to enroll in Chemistry 14A, Chemistry 14AE, Chemistry 20A or Chemistry 20AH, you are required to take the Chemistry Diagnostic Exam prior to enrolling in the course itself. The exam is available online beginning May 1 and must be completed before July 1 so that your placement recommendation is available when you register for classes during New Student Orientation. Be sure to send us test scores (AP and IB).

Accessing ALEKS PPL

ALEKS PPL can be accessed online at any time.

Additional Resources and Support

View the Undergraduate Mathematics Help Guide for frequently asked questions about the MPT.

New Student Orientation

New Student Orientation is mandatory for all new undergraduate students. During orientation, you will become acclimated to both the academic and social life at UCLA. You’ll connect with other new students, learn about the campus and many of the services available to Bruins, meet with academic advisors, enroll in your first college classes, and much more.

There are 12 different orientation sessions for first-year students, including two sessions dedicated to out-of-state and international students. Bruin to Bruin sessions are designed for you to begin connecting with UCLA as a newly admitted Bruin.

MyUCLA and Degree Progress/Audit Report

Log in to MyUCLA. The UCLA Degree Audit evaluates your progress toward meeting graduation requirements in your major. It’s a critical tool for selecting classes and plotting your academic course. It will be explained in-depth at New Student Orientation. After that, you can create your own audit by logging in to MyUCLA with your UCLA Logon ID.If you have taken UCLA-transferable college courses in high school, submit your official transcripts for this work as soon as possible.

College Scholars Program (College Honors)

The College Scholars Program (College Honors) is offered through the UCLA College.

UC Immunization Policy

The UC Immunization Policy requires all incoming students to provide proof of vaccination. This will ensure that the correction will be seen by all the UC campuses you have applied to. If you have submitted your SIR to UCLA

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