MATH PLACEMENT , SELF-HELP TUTORIAL AND COL 020

Maria Mathews, Placement Administrator

mmathews@bw.edu

(440) 826-6882 ext. 1

 

A)  MATH PLACEMENT TEST

The placement test can be taken by anyone at any time from any internet-accessible computer. 

·                     Log on to www.highedmath.aleks.com

·                     Register as a 'New Student'

·                     When asked for course code, enter HECNP ENCUU

·                     You will be assigned a login name and password - write this down; you will need it each time you log on to ALEKS

·                     After registering, there is a brief tutorial demonstrating how to enter your responses (This test is NOT multiple choice)

·                     You will proceed immediately to the 'assessment' where you will answer 20-30 questions, depending on your prior responses.  You will not know the results until the end of the assessment.

·                     You have 72 hours (from when you register) to complete the test.  Otherwise, your account will expire.  You must contact the Placement Administrator for a new code ($20 fee to re-register).

·                     If you log out before finishing the test, use your login and password to log back in - you will continue where you left off.  But the question from which you 'exited' will be different when you return.

·                     You will not be able to go back and review any questions or change answers, so take your time and enter your responses carefully.

·                     Upon completing the test, your results will be displayed in a pie chart, showing how you scored in each of the areas tested.  Click on 'report' to get a bar graph showing your score as a percent. 

·                     A 70% or higher is needed to 'pass' the test and be eligible to sign up for a core MTH course.

·                     The Placement Administrator will automatically receive your score and send it to the registrar.

·                     There is no charge for students taking the test for the first time. 

·                     Students who wish to re-take the test will be charged a $20 fee.

·                     Contact the Placement Administrator if you have questions about the test or your results, or if you wish to retake the test.

 

B) SELF-HELP TUTORIAL

Any student who wishes to prepare for the math placement test can do so by purchasing an online tutorial from the BW bookstore.  The cost is $30 (plus tax).  If you are unable to get to campus, call the bookstore (440-826-2345) and they will ship it to you at no additional charge.

·                     This tutorial is appropriate for students who feel they are ready for a college-level math course, but need a short refresher to prepare for the placement test. 

·                     It is also appropriate (and encouraged) for students who took the placement test and scored above 50% (but below 70%) and wish to eventually retake it (for a $20 fee).

·                     The tutorial contains an instruction booklet for the ALEKS website, a course code for the tutorial, and a registration code that allows you unlimited access to ALEKS for up to 6 weeks.

·                     After registering with the ALEKS tutorial, you will be given an initial assessment (just like the placement test) to determine your strengths and weaknesses. 

·                     You will be guided through an interactive tutorial based on your needs - the tutorial provides explanations, practice problems, and assessments.

·                     When you feel you are ready to take the placement test, follow the instructions above (Part A).

·                     Contact the Placement Administrator if you have any questions or if you wish to retake the test.

 

C) COL 020

COL 020 is a remedial math course that reviews all the basic skills necessary to be successful in a core math course at Baldwin-Wallace.                                                                                                            

·                     Students in COL 020 will work online through the ALEKS website (www.highedmath.aleks.com).

·                     Students must purchase a packet through the BW bookstore that contains an instruction booklet for the ALEKS program, a course code, and a registration code that will allow them to access ALEKS for the entire semester.

·                     Students work at their own pace practicing remedial math topics (basic and intermediate algebra) and taking assessments provided by ALEKS.

·                     An instructor is present to assist the students as needed.  Typically, there is no formal lecture provided in this course.  All instructions, reviews, and assessments are provided to students via ALEKS.

·                     Although students work individually and online, attendance is MANDATORY. 

·                     Students are allowed and encouraged to work outside of the regularly scheduled class time.  In fact, it is necessary for students to put in extra time in order to be successful - just as outside work (homework, studying, reviewing, etc.) is necessary in any other course.  

·                     COL 020 is graded S/U based on attendance and effort.

·                     Students are assessed continuously throughout the semester.  Students must achieve an average score of at least 70% on the last 2 assessments in the course in order to meet the prerequisite for their core math course.

·                     An ‘S’ grade in COL 020 is NOT the prerequisite for a core MTH course.          

·                     Students not receiving a 70% or higher at the end of the semester can:

1)      take the placement test (for a $20 fee) by contacting the Placement Administrator.  This score will replace the overall score received in COL 020.  A 70% or higher will allow the student to sign up for a core math course.                                                                                                                                           OR

2)      continue in COL 020 the next semester.

·               Students who receive an “S” (but not a 70%) may sign up for COL 020 the

following semester at no charge.  But they must purchase another packet with a new registration code from the bookstore.

·                     Students who receive a “U” (but not a 70%) for the semester, or those who choose  to retake COL 020 in non-consecutive semesters, may register and pay for COL 020 as if taking it for the first time.

·                     The credits for COL 020 do NOT count toward graduation, but they DO count toward the student’s semester course load.

·                     Part-time students are charged a reduced fee ($350) for the course. 

 

INFORMATION ABOUT COURSE CODES AND REGISTRATION CODES

·                     The placement test, self-help tutorial and each section of COL 020 have a different course code.

·                     For the tutorial and COL 020, students must purchase a packet that contains a registration code. 

 

 

If you have any questions, please contact:

Maria Mathews, Placement Administrator

mmathews@bw.edu

(440) 826-6882 ext. 1