FAQs

Every student has varying math courses required for their intended major. Some students may need to take prerequisite math courses before enrolling in the math course required for their major. This pathways chart shows some of the common various math pathways that students take at Boise State, along with their associated required placement category. For more information on placement, you can visit the Placement Section of FAQs. 

For students who are intending to transfer math credits from a different college, we recommend checking the Transfer Equivalency System. This resource allows you to see how your previous coursework may align with Boise State requirements.

FYM course fees allow students to access free tutoring and free coaching. These resources support students in more likely finding success in FYM course. You can book an appointment for a student success appointment (coaching) here, and you can find more information for how to utilize the Math Learning Center (drop-in tutoring lab) here.

ALEKS, which stands for “Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces”, helps students develop individualized learning paths in their math course by assessing their prior knowledge at the beginning of the semester, and continuing to assess their knowledge as they learn throughout the semester. Internal FYM data demonstrates that students who develop consistent study habits with utilizing ALEKS properly score better on exams and earn higher course grades.

For each credit hour of a course, it is expected to spend about twice that many hours outside of class time working on homework. In FYM courses, ALEKS is the homework platform. For a two-credit course, students need to spend at minimum 4 hours per week in ALEKS for a 16-week course, and at least 10 hours per week in a 7-week course. For a three-credit course, students need to spend at minimum 5 hours per week in ALEKS for a 16-week course, and at least 12 hours per week in a 7-week course.

Inclusive access (IA) allows students to access ALEKS, along with an e-textbook, at a cheaper price compared to purchasing directly through ALEKS. If you are considering opting out of IA, please email firstyearmath@boisestate.edu to address your questions– opting out will result in lost access to course materials in the middle of the term. Once a student opts out, ALEKS access must be purchased at the market rate (more expensive). Please note that ALEKS access is required for all First Year Math classes.

There are several ways for students to be placed in specific math courses/categories. Currently, placement can be determined by scores from Right Math, ISAT Math, ACT Math, SAT Math, or Accuplacer. Full details on placement options can be found on the Registrar’s webpage.

For instance, a student’s ACT or SAT Math score places them into a specific Right Math (RM) level, which unlocks the corresponding math courses for enrollment. For example, an SAT Math score of 530 automatically places a student into RM2, making them eligible to enroll in Math 123, Math 133, or Math 153.

RM is your math placement category, based on the Right Math Class assessment that all Boise State students are required to take when admitted to Boise State. The RM value helps determine the math courses that you are best prepared to start taking. After passing a math course at your current RM placement level, you will be able to enroll in additional math courses at the next placement level if required for your major.

If you feel as though the RM placement group in your student center is inaccurate or does not reflect your current math capabilities, you can do one of the following:

1. If you have not already, take the Boise State Right Math Placement tool: This is a 5–10 minute survey that analyzes your high school math grades and standardized test scores, along with a self-evaluation of your overall math capabilities. This survey can only be taken once, and will generate the RM placement category on your student account. 
2. If you already have an RM score on your student account from the Right Math placement but wish to take a higher course, you may take the Accuplacer: This is a proctored math assessment that helps determine your current mathematical understanding to help determine which courses might be right for you to start with.. The Accuplacer does not give any course credit– it can only update a student’s placement category.

Depending on your scores on one or both of these assessments, you may be able to move up in RM placement category and enroll in a higher-level math course.

If you are still unsure about which math course is best for you, you are encouraged to schedule a student support meeting with one of our Success Coaches to discuss your options and find the course that best suits you!

The Math Learning Center offers free tutoring for FYM courses. Students can utilize the drop-in lab located in MB 118-120, or they can schedule an online tutoring appointment.

To apply to become a Math Learning Center Tutor, please complete this application form. If you have any questions, contact Jackson Drown (jacksondrown@boisestate.edu).  

Students can have widely varying experiences and needs when it comes to math courses, and we have additional supports via coaching in FYM for this reason! 

We know that many students feel a little more anxious about their math courses compared to other courses. We offer student support appointments to help students identify resources and habits that they can work to develop that will help them achieve the success they want to see both in their FYM courses, as well as throughout their college journey. 

We also support students who might be ready to skip to the next math course. Depending on when in the semester this may be occurring, you might schedule a placement or AIM conversation. 

First-Year Math offers several types of free student coaching appointments to support students to the success they are seeking in FYM courses. More information on the types of appointments and how to schedule them can be found on our Book an Appointment page.