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ALEKS CHEMISTRY

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

All students registering for CH 301 in fall 2019 are required to meet a minimum score of 85% on ALEKS Chemistry. Students may register for CH 301 prior to fulfilling the ALEKS prerequisite; the department will verify that you have met the prerequisite requirements by the drop deadline.

For new, incoming students who already know that they plan to take CH 301 this fall, 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 in the fall, do not purchase the ALEKS Chemistry assessment until after at orientation. No refunds will be issued. You will have an opportunity to meet with your Academic Advisor at orientation and determine your fall course schedule.

Students taking CH 301 in fall must earn an 85% or higher on ALEKS Chemistry by 11:59pm on Monday, August 26th or you will be dropped from the course. 

Click to purchase the ALEKS Chemistry Assessment (you will need your EID and a credit card).

Once purchased, you may access the ALEKS Chemistry Assessment using your UT EID and password (UT EID accuracy is important). 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 fall drop deadline of 11:59pm on Monday, August 26th or you will be dropped from CH 301. Click on the center of your pie to toggle to your percentage score: 

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  • 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 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.