Mathematics Placement at the University of Illinois

Abstract

Abstract Data from the ALEKS-based placement program at the University of Illinois is presented visually in several ways. The placement exam (an ALEKS assessment) contains precise item-specific information and the data show many interesting properties of the student populations of the placement courses, which include Precalculus, Calculus, and Business Calculus, as well as two courses outside of the placement program (College Algebra and Elementary Linear Algebra). Visual correlations between student knowledge in particular categories defined by the assessment, such as trigonometry, are given along with the knowledge acquisition of students completing Precalculus. Comparisons with the previous placement mechanism (ACT Math) are given briefly.