New students entering Bentley for the first time in Spring 2026
If you are required to take the ALEKS PPL Math Assessment, you should complete the assessment at least once by December 8, 2025. Some students will need to review some math concepts and retake the assessment, so it is vital that you complete it the first time no later than 12/8/25 to ensure that you have time to prepare and retake the assessment before your initial registration appointment.
Math Placement Process Overview
As part of the university’s core curriculum, Bentley requires all students to earn 3 credits of math to meet the Foundation for Success requirement. Students interested in quantitatively intensive majors may also require additional math study during their time at Bentley. Most students will meet the core math requirement by taking an introductory math course in their first two semesters at Bentley, though some students will have already met the requirement with credit they earned prior to coming to Bentley.
Selecting the right math course for you depends on a number of factors. Typically, students will make their selection based on three criteria:
- Any prior credit they have earned
- Their intended major and areas of academic interest
- Their math preparation, as measured by the ALEKS PPL math assessment (Note: most students will be required to take the ALEKS PPL math assessment before selecting their math course.)
This website will walk you through this selection process, so that you can be prepared to register yourself for an appropriate math course that fits your skills and interests.
Foundations for Success Math Courses
MA 105 (Math Foundations) or MA 105L (Math Foundations with Lab)
MA 105 develops quantitative reasoning skills with a focus on topics relevant to business applications. MA 105L covers the same material as MA 105 with an additional 1.5 hour class time.
Recommended for: Students who do not intend to pursue further math or quantitatively oriented programs (Math, Actuarial Science, Data Analytics or Quantitative Economics). A good choice for students who have not completed a Pre-Calculus course or have not taken math (other than statistics) for some time.
MA 107 (Applied Calculus) or 107L (Applied Calculus with Lab)
MA 107 is a one semester course covering the fundamentals of differential and integral Calculus; it focuses on understanding & use of appropriate tools for business focused problems that involve principles of Calculus. MA 107L covers the same material as MA 107 with an additional 1.5 hour class time.
Recommended for: Students interested in expanding their mathematical background to include common Calculus topics and their use in business. An excellent choice for students considering quantitative majors such as Finance and Economics, but not majors that require MA 131.
MA 131 (Calculus 1) or MA 131L (Calculus with Lab)
MA 131 is a traditional Calculus 1 course, focusing on differential Calculus and its applications. MA 131L covers the same topics, but meets an additional 1.5 hours per week, allowing the instructor to move at a slower pace and to include more examples and group work.
Required for: Students who plan to major in Math, Actuarial Science, Data Analytics or Quantitative Economics.
MA 139 (Calculus II) / MA 233 (Calculus III)
If you receive advanced credit, you are not required to take additional math for most programs. If you interested in quantitatively intensive majors or would like to keep options open, we encourage you to continue your study of math.
MA 139 Calculus II is required only for Actuarial Science and Mathematical Sciences majors, as well as Actuarial Science and Mathematics minors. It is not required for any other majors, but MA 139 is a prereq for most upper-level Mathematical Sciences electives.
MA 233 (Calculus III) is a required course for Mathematics and Actuarial Sciences. It is not required for any other majors.
How to choose the right math course for you.
Students typically choose the right math course for them based on 3 criteria:
- Prior credit (if any) from AP, IB, transfer or other sources of credit from before arriving at Bentley
- Intend major and/or areas of academic interest
- ALEKS PPL assessment score (if required)
Below, please find the statement that is true for you regarding any potential prior credit in math. Click on the plus sign and find the recommended course options for you based on your academic interests.
Do you expect to earn prior credit for Math?
You will need to take the ALEKS PPL math placement assessment. Your score will determine your eligibility for introductory math courses. Students should complete the ALEKS PPL math assessment at least once by December 8, 2025. Note: some students will need to repeat assessment after spending time in a Prep & Learning module to brush up on their math skills, so it is important to complete the initial assessment by December 8, 2025.
Students interested in Math, Actuarial Studies, Data Analytics, or Quantitative Economics should look to qualify to take MA 131/131L.
Students in all other majors can select from MA 105/L, MA 107/L or MA 131/L.
Students starting at Bentley in the Spring 2026 term should use this link to access ALEKS PPL: Https://secure.aleks.com/shiblogon/sso?sso_account=dfd5be7&enroll_class_code=69EYD-TMLGC
Students who will have prior credit for the equivalent of MA 131 will not be required to take the ALEKS PPL math assessment.
Students interested in Math or Actuarial Studies should register for MA 139.
Students interested in all other majors may continue their study of mathematics by selecting MA 139 or may elect to not take an additional math course, as their prior credit will meet Bentley’s core math requirement.
Students who will have prior credit for the equivalent of MA 131 and 139 will not be required to take the ALEKS PPL math assessment.
Students interested in math and actuarial studies should consider taking MA 233.
Students interested in all other majors may continue their study of mathematics by selecting MA 233 or may elect to not take an additional math course, as their prior credit will meet Bentley’s core math requirement.
Students interested in Math, Actuarial Studies, Data Analytics, or Quantitative Economics or who are interested in studying calculus (MA 131/L) should look to qualify to take MA 131/131L.
You will need to take the ALEKS PPL math placement assessment. Your score will determine your eligibility for introductory math courses. Students should complete the ALEKS PPL math assessment at least once by DATE. Note: some students will need to repeat assessment after spending time in a Prep & Learning module to brush up on their math skills, so it is important to complete the initial assessment by DATE.
Students starting at Bentley in the Spring 2026 term should use this link to access ALEKS PPL: Https://secure.aleks.com/shiblogon/sso?sso_account=dfd5be7&enroll_class_code=69EYD-TMLGC
Students with prior credit for MA 105 & 107 who are interested in all other majors are not required to take the ALEKS PPL math assessment. Your prior credit meets Bentley’s core math requirements.
ALEKS PPL Explained
Bentley University requires an ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning (ALEKS PPL) Assessment to determine readiness for some introductory mathematics courses. ALEKS PPL is a web-based program that uses artificial intelligence to map a student’s strengths and weaknesses. The Placement Assessment is up to 25 questions and generally takes 60-90 minutes to complete. After the Placement Assessment, an individualized Prep and Learning Module is available for students to refresh their knowledge on forgotten topics. Students then have the opportunity to reassess and improve their placement.
ALEKS consists of three parts:
- An Initial Placement Assessment
- The Prep and Learning Module, an individualized, self-paced online review
- Access to 4 additional Placement Assessments
The Placement Assessment results will be used to determine the most appropriate courses for each student as they move forward with college coursework.
This is a “Placement Assessment,” not a test. The difference is that a Placement Assessment is designed to determine what a student knows and what a student needs to work on. At the end of the ALEKS PPL Assessment, a student will have a much better sense of their strengths and weaknesses in math. Students then have a chance to brush up on topics that may have been forgotten or haven’t been practiced for some time. Students will have an opportunity to re-take the assessment.
Be honest. It is important that the Placement Assessment is taken seriously and each student gives it an honest effort so that the Placement Assessment truly reflects their current level of knowledge and math preparedness. There is no benefit to cheating on the Placement Assessment – the only result will be that a student enrolls in a class that is too difficult, or not challenging enough, potentially costing time and money. Therefore, while taking the Placement Assessment, students should not consult any outside sources for help (friends/family, internet searches, textbooks, notes etc...). The purpose of the Placement Assessment is to give an accurate measure of a student’s current mathematical knowledge state so that he/she will be successful in mathematics courses.
Students starting at Bentley in the Spring 2026 term: Https://secure.aleks.com/shiblogon/sso?sso_account=dfd5be7&enroll_class_code=69EYD-TMLGC
Students starting at Bentley in Fall 2025: https://secure.aleks.com/shiblogon/sso?sso_account=dfd5be7&enroll_class_code=96KHC-WLDCH
Your placement result (overall score) is a number between 0 and 100. It represents the percentage of topics ALEKS has identified you have mastered.
Course placement is determined as follows:
| ALEKS Score Range | Eligible Courses |
| 81-100 | MA131, MA131L, MA105 or MA107 |
| 76-80 | MA131L, MA105 or MA107 |
| 61-75 | MA105, MA105L, MA107 or MA107L |
| 46-60 | MA105L or MA107L |
| 0-45 | Utilize the Prep and Learning modules within ALEKS PPL and then retake the assessment. |
If you have questions about the Math Placement Process at Bentley, you can fill out the New Falcon Question Form for assistance.
If have an issue within or accessing the ALEKS PPL tool itself, you can access McGraw-Hill support:
- ALEKS Technical FAQs
- http://support.aleks.com/assess_placement
- Phone: 1-800-258-2374
- Live chat/email: https://mh.my.site.com/aleks/s/alekscontactsupport
- Mon-Thu: 7 AM-1 AM, Fri: 7 AM-9 PM, Sun: 4 PM-1 AM (All Times Eastern USA)