Action Required: ALEKS Math Preparation

Given the importance of mathematics in the curriculum of all advanced degrees offered by the department, we ask that all incoming students review key algebraic and geometric principles.

Students must demonstrate proficiency in these concepts prior to the fall term to register for our core courses in economics and statistics.

Our goal is to improve your understanding of course content and performance. We are confident that these resources will ensure success for all.

The department has two methods by which students can demonstrate this proficiency.

• The submission of a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of 158 or higher (or its equivalent) on the Quantitative section of the GRE (GRE-Q) as part of an admissions application;
• The completion of all ALEKS course modules by the first day of classes.

The ALEKS course starts with a diagnostic test, determining what topics you need to review. ALEKS then creates a personalized mini-course to work through over the summer. For each topic, it offers instructions, practice problems, and worksheets.

The ALEKS course covers the following algebraic and geometric principles:

• Real Numbers (e.g. fractions, decimals, exponents and integers, order of operations, absolute value);
• Equations and Inequalities (e.g. solving two-step equations, solving linear equations and inequalities);
• Exponents and Polynomials (e.g. evaluating expressions with exponents, scientific notation);
• Lines and System (e.g. plotting in the coordinate plane, graphic and line, writing the equation of a line);
• Function and Graphs (e.g. finding inputs and outputs of a function from its graph, graphing a parabola);
• Radical Expressions (e.g. square root functions, rational exponents);
• Geometry (e.g. area of a square, area of a triangle).

How do I access ALEKS:

Students can access the ALEKS course at the ALEKS website, using the ten-character class code of GV43F-JMWNY.  This provides six weeks of access to the “Maxwell PAIA Winter Refresher 24-25” for $32.12.

As the core courses will reacquaint you with topics you have not used for several years, or were not exposed to in the past, we encourage everyone to review these skills through the ALEKS course.  Over time we have found that 3 out of 4 students that score a 90 or above on ALEK go on to earn an B or higher in Economics (PAI 723) and 2 out 3 earn a B or higher in the first semester of statistics (PAI 721).

Trust us, the time, money, and effort you put into this preparation will pay off when you being the program this fall.