Early Start Math (ESM)
Upon admission, students were asked to participate in the Math Placement Survey, where they were asked about what information (test scores/college credits) they were bringing to Cal Poly that could help establish their math eligibility. Some of the information provided may have been insufficient to demonstrate readiness for the first math course required of their major.
We offer these students an opportunity as to how they would like to move forward. These options include:
- Enroll in the prerequisite course before becoming eligible for the first math course required of the student’s major.
- Submit requisite test scores or transferrable credit from another college/university demonstrating readiness
- Take the appropriate Math Placement Exam (MAPE)* in Precalculus for students looking to demonstrate Calculus readiness or Intermediate Algebra for students looking to demonstrate Precalculus Readiness.
- Take an online summer experience that culminates in the appropriate level MAPE Exam as detailed below (please note that you still need to pass the MAPE Exam in order to become eligible for the course you are trying to place into):
ESM 120
Online course designed for incoming freshmen to review the skills necessary for success in Calculus
- Online beginning July 8 and ending July 26
- Cost to Student: $275
- Not Eligible for fee waivers
- One unit, Credit/No Credit, course that consists of 22 modules, each with a video by Cal Poly math professor Dr. Tully-Doyle in which he reminds students about the key concepts needed from Precalculus to be followed by a worksheet to practice these skills.
- The Course itself will be graded on completion, that is, students will receive credit if they complete the requisite number of assignments and take the Precalculus Math Placement Exam (MAPE-PC)*.
- A sufficient score on the MAPE-PC will make students eligible for Calculus prior to the beginning of Fall Quarter
ESM 105/90
Online course designed for incoming freshmen to review the skills necessary for success in Precalculus
- Online beginning July 8 and ending July 26
- Cost to Student: $320.33
- Eligible for fee waivers
- 2.5 Units (1 Baccalaureate/1.5 Pre-baccalaureate) Credit/No Credit course in which students work in ALEKS, an artificially intelligent learning and assessment system designed to measure a student's present understanding of mathematics to create an individualized study plan whereby the student can explore and learn previously unmastered skills.
- The Course itself will be graded on completion, that is, students will receive credit for 20+ hours of work in ALEKS; complete the requisite number of topics; and take the Intermediate Algebra Math Placement Exam (MAPE-IA)*.
- A sufficient score on the MAPE-IA will make students eligible for Precalculus prior to the beginning of Fall Quarter
*MAPE exams are an avenue by which you can demonstrate readiness for Precalculus or Calculus at Cal Poly. These exams are offered virtually until August 31st, but we urge you to take them by July 31st. Block scheduling begins in July, and they will put you in the math class indicated by the information on record at that time. If you later advance your placement via the MAPE Exam, you will have to manually adjust your schedule, dropping the (now incorrect) math class they assigned you, and attempting to enroll in the right course. There is no guarantee that there will be seats available in a section that fits your schedule, or any seats at all for that matter. If you've missed the deadline, however, it is still important to determine your correct placement.
Questions?
Please contact the Math department at (805)756-2206 or email mathplacement@calpoly.edu.
