ALEKS Chemistry Assessment

 Courses in the College of Natural Sciences are demanding.

To help you prepare for college-level chemistry courses at UT Austin, the College of Natural Sciences (CNS) and the Department of Chemistry require an ALEKS online assessment. The assessment provides computer-based support as you review topics in preparation for CH 301 (Principles of Chemistry I)/CH 301C.

Once your CH 301/CH 301C class starts, your instructor will assume you know all of the material included in the ALEKS Chemistry Assessment.

All students registering for CH 301/CH 301C in the fall/spring semester are required to meet a minimum score of 85% on ALEKS Chemistry.

Students may register for CH 301/CH 301C prior to fulfilling the ALEKS prerequisite; the Chemistry Department will verify that you have met the prerequisite requirements by the drop deadline.  Students needing to meet the pre-requisite requirement will be notified via Secure Academic Note (SAN).

For new, incoming students who already know that they plan to take CH 301/CH 301C this fall/spring, we recommend that you complete the initial ALEKS Chemistry assessment prior to orientation. 

If you are unsure whether or not you will take CH 301/CH 301 C in the fall/spring, do not purchase the ALEKS Chemistry assessment until after at orientation.

We cannot issue refunds.

You will have an opportunity to meet with your Academic Advisor at orientation and determine your fall/spring course schedule.

Students taking CH 301/CH 301C in spring must earn an 85% or higher on ALEKS Chemistry by the drop deadline or you will be dropped from the course.  You can reach out to your academic advisor to discuss your options.  

NOT ALL INCOMING MAJORS WILL TAKE CH 301.  

DO NOT PURCHASE ALEKS UNtil YOU ARE CERTAIN THAT YOU WILL ENROLL IN CH 301. 

 (NO REFUNDS CAN BE ISSUED FOR THIS SERVICE.) 

 The ALEKS modules expire after 11 weeks and a new assessment is required each time you enroll in CH 301.

 ALEKS Chemistry Package:

ALEKS for Summer and fall 2021 courses will become available in may.

Please note the following guidelines:

• Your initial assessment must be completed in one sitting, set aside 1.5 to 2 hours to complete to the best of your ability.

• After completing your initial assessment, you may work in the learning modules, where you will complete practice problems to raise your overall score.

• While working on the learning modules, the ALEKS Chemistry may periodically ask you to reassess, which will replace your current score.  Your previous score cannot be recovered, and you must either reach 85% or higher, or continue working on the modules.

• Reaching the required score of 85% can be done through both the assessments and learning modules. As long as the pie chart shows 85%, you have reached the required score.

Your score of 85% must be on file prior to the drop deadline indicated in your SAN or you will be withdrawn from CH 301/CH 301 C.

Click on the center of your pie to toggle to your percentage score: 

• Many incoming first-year students have not taken Chemistry recently, and consequently spend several hours in the learning modules to reach 85%.  Please plan accordingly to allow yourself enough time to work on the modules to be best prepared for CH 301/CH 301 C at UT.

• You may use scratch paper and pencil.

• A calculator and necessary tables will be provided by ALEKS when needed, please do not use your own.

• You may not use books, other materials, the Internet, or consult with anyone during the assessment.

ALEKS Spring Pre-requisite deadline: January 18th, 2021.

ALEKS Summer Pre-requisite deadline: TBD