All students entering NMU are required to take a math placement exam unless college-level credit in mathematics has already been earned and will transfer appropriately to NMU. For more information about your specific placement or further testing, please reach out to your assigned advisor or the Student Success Office at success@nmu.edu.

The NMU mathematics placement program is designed to help students determine appropriate mathematics and computer science courses to enroll in at NMU. All new students will take a unproctored math placement exam during orientation.

To retake the math placement test, please reach out to your assigned advisor or the Student Success Office at success@nmu.edu.

Math Placement FAQ

Students are required to take the ALEKS Math Placement exam prior to taking a math class at Northern Michigan University. Students will be contacted by the NMU Orientation Office prior to attending orientation, with information on how to complete this online, unproctored test.

Students who take the ALEKS math placement test are able to retake the ALEKS math placement test two additional times if they choose to. Prior to retaking the test, a student must complete five hours of remediation within the ALEKS system and wait one week between test dates.

If you have further questions about math placement, please reach out to your assigned advisor or the Student Success Office at success@nmu.edu.

A: Correct placement is extremely important.  Low placement will recommend a course you do not need resulting in a waste of time and money.  Placement that is too high will recommend a course above your level causing undue hardship, stress and a waste of time and money.  Take the exam very seriously!

A: Everyone who attends an in-person or online orientation session. This includes all freshman students coming straight out of high school.

A: No. Calculators are not allowed on this test. Remember, correct placement is very important so be honest!

A: Those who have already earned college-level mathematics credits that will transfer to NMU.

A: Five (5) credits of Calculus I will be granted along with permission to enroll in Calculus II at NMU.

A: Yes. If you have not had mathematics for some period of time, a little refresher might keep you from taking an extra class that you might otherwise be able to skip. Our recommendation is to review any material that you had once mastered but are now out of practice with.

A: The Math Placement Test is an online proctored test through the ALEKS system. The exam has approximately 30 questions, with up to 2 hours to complete.

A: The Math Placement Test is taken during orientation.

A: If you take the Math Placement Test (offered during orientation), you will be able to register for classes that same day.

A: Students must have a valid NMUIN.

A: Results for the Math Placement Test are made available during orientation. If you have questions about your results, please reach out to your assigned advisor or the Student Success Office at success@nmu.edu.

A: NMU Math Placements based on ALEKS Test Score
ALEKS Score 0-9...................................................................MA080
ALEKS Score 9-29……………………………….……….....................MA090
ALEKS Score 30-45……………………………….....................…....MA100, 
ALEKS Score 46-60…............................................................DATA109, MA111, MA113, CS 120
ALEKS Score 61-75………………….…………………………..............MA115
ALEKS Score 76-100…………………………….…………………….....MA161

MA101 Quantitative Literacy does not have a Prerequisite nor do you need an ALEKS Placement Score

A: No. Your math placement recommendation does not change NMU admission status nor does it affect your GPA.

A: Students may retake the placement exam two additional times, but must do 5 hours of remediation within the ALEKS system before retesting. Retakes will be offered at designated times throughout the year. Students will need to sign up in advance. If you have questions about retesting, please reach out to your assigned advisor or the Student Success Office at success@nmu.edu.

A: Please reach out to your assigned advisor or the Student Success Office at success@nmu.edu.

A: Please reach out to your assigned advisor or the Student Success Office at success@nmu.edu.

Contact

Need additional information? Go to the Student Success ALEKS Math Placement Retakes page.