Undergraduate Admissions
 
 
 

Welcome Home, Blazer

All first-time freshmen are required to pay a non-refundable $200 Freshman Enrollment Deposit to secure a place in the entering class. The Freshman Enrollment Deposit covers the cost for you and one other adult to attend Blazer Beginnings orientation.

Students may not make a reservation for New Student Orientation or apply for on-campus housing until the Freshman Enrollment Deposit is submitted.

  • Priority Deadline: June 1 to submit the Freshman Enrollment Deposit or request a deferral of payment.
  • How to Pay Deposit: Students are encouraged to pay the deposit by debit or credit card to quickly have access to reserve a spot for orientation or apply for housing. Alternatively, students can mail a check. Checks must include the student's name and student number for proper processing. Please note that mailed checks will require additional processing time.
  • How to Request a Deferral: Entering freshmen who have demonstrated financial need may request a deferral of payment. Deferrals will only be granted for students who have sent their completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to UAB and whose Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) is $500 or below. For more information, contact your admissions counselor.
  • Exemptions:
    • First-time freshmen who enroll in the spring semester.
    • First-time freshmen who graduated high school prior to last year.

 

All students are required to take at least two writing courses and at least one math course to graduate from UAB. To measure your mastery of a particular subject and determine which courses offer you the best chance for success, all entering students are required to take placement assessments in English and Math.

If you have registered with Disability Support Services you may be eligible to receive certain testing accommodations.

  • English Course Placement

    Students who have not earned credit for English Composition (EH 101) with a grade of C or better must take the English Placement Survey and Writing Sample.

    Exceptions

    • Minimum score of 20 on both the English and Reading sub-scores of the ACT.
    • Minimum Evidence-Based Reading and Writing test score of 500 on the SAT.
    • Have received transfer credit for EH 101 with a C or better (includes dual enrollment credit).
    • Have earned college credit for EH 101 based on qualifying AP, IB, AICE, or CLEP scores.
    • International students (see below)

    Test-Optional students may use ACT or SAT sub-scores to satisfy requirements. If you did not send scores to UAB and wish to have them utilized for placement purposes, please send your scores to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at least two weeks before being advised.

    Deadline

    You must complete the English Placement Survey and Writing Sample at least two weeks before being advised. If you submit your materials later than this two-week window, you run the risk of not having results prior to registering for classes.

    International Students

    International students who meet the following requirements will be placed in EH 101 (English Composition I):

    • Minimum TOEFL Writing sub-score of 23
    • Minimum TOEFL Essentials Writing sub-score of 7.0
    • IELTS Writing sub-score of 6.0

    International students who meet the following requirements will be placed in EH 108 (English Composition for Second Language Writers):

    • Minimum TOEFL Writing sub-score of 16-22
    • Minimum TOEFL Essentials Writing sub-score of 6.5 – 6.9
    • IELTS Writing sub-score of 5.5 – 5.9

    If you do not have the score requirements to place in EH 101 or EH 108, you will be placed in the requisite course in UAB’s INTO Program.



  • Math Course Placement

    Students who have no math credit or no math credit above the remedial level who wish to register for a math course at UAB must take the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment (MPA).

    • Students must be admitted to the university before they can access the MPA.
    • The MPA is provided at no cost to the student.
    • Students who have no math credit, no math credit above the remedial level, or choose not take the Math Placement Assessment must register for MA 094 (Basic Mathematics) or MA 098 (Basic Algebra).
    • Students awaiting alternative credit score reports (i.e. AP, CLEP, AICE, DSST, etc.) should take the MPA and register for the highest math course in which they placed. Once scores are submitted, students can adjust their registration accordingly. Alternative credit score reports should be sent to UAB as soon as possible.

    Note: Keep in mind that if you do not complete the Math Placement Assessment and are placed in remedial-level math, registration for science courses and timely completion of any science-dependent major will be delayed/impacted.

    Exceptions

    1. First-time freshmen who have an ACT math sub-score of 29 or SAT math score of 680. Students who meet this requirement will automatically place in MA 125 (Calculus I).

    2. Incoming students who have earned college credit for a 100-level, college math course or higher with a grade of “C” or higher (excludes remedial college math and MA 110 – Finite Mathematics*). College credit, including dual enrollment credit, must be earned from a regionally accredited 2-year or 4-year institution. Examples of 100-level math courses are Intermediate Algebra, Pre-Calculus Algebra, Pre-Calculus Trigonometry, Calculus, Calculus II, etc. If you’re unsure whether you are required to take the MPA, contact your  academic advisor.

    3. Students who have earned college credit for math based on having received qualifying AP, IB, AICE, or CLEP scores (excludes MA 180 – Statistics). Review the list of qualifying scores.

    *Students who have earned credit for MA 110 but require additional math to meet degree requirements, should take the Math Placement Assessment.


  • World Language Course Placement

    If you have never taken a world language course, you do not need to take a world language placement test. You will begin with a 101 world language course.

    It is recommended that you take a world language placement test if:

    • You have had one or more years of world language in high school (within the last two years)
    • You wish to take courses in French, Spanish, German, and Chinese.

    If you wish to take courses in Arabic, Portuguese, Italian, or Japanese, please contact the Department of World Languages and Literatures to ensure appropriate placement.

    If your native language is French, German, or Spanish, you cannot take a beginning course in your world language for credit. It is recommended that you take the world language placement test to determine the appropriate level course to register for.

ALEKS (Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces) is a web-based assessment system that uses artificial intelligence to create an adaptive test in order to determine your mathematical knowledge ranging from basic Algebra to pre-calculus. The ALEKS Assessment covers a broad range of material from basic Algebra to Pre-calculus.

  • Deadline

    You are strongly encouraged to complete the MPA as early as possible. However, you must complete the Math Placement Assessment at least two weeks before being advised.

  • What You Need
    • A computer with a web camera
    • A reliable internet connection
    • A current photo ID (ex: driver’s license, passport, state issued ID, etc.)
    • Your BlazerID and password
    • Roughly two hours of uninterrupted work time
    • A pencil and blank paper
    • A space conducive to doing your best work

    For system requirements, visit www.aleks.com/support/system_requirements.

    If you do not have access to reliable internet or a computer, you may take the Math Placement Assessment on campus. Please contact Testing Services at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to schedule.

  • Expectations

    There is no benefit to inflating or deflating your abilities on the ALEKS math assessment. Incorrect placement can delay graduation and negatively affect your GPA. Dishonest work on this assessment causes many problems, including placement into a course that is not appropriate for your current level of knowledge which would likely result in a low or failing grade in that course.

    • Be honest.
    • Complete the exam on your own.
    • Do not use books, other materials, the Internet, or consult with anyone during the exam.
    • Do not use a calculator. ALEKS will provide an on-screen calculator if you need one to complete a particular problem. You will only see the online calculator when a calculator is allowed.

    Cheating is a violation of UAB’s Academic Integrity Code.

  • What to Anticipate

    Plan to complete the assessment in a single one- to two-hour sitting.

    The ALEKS placement assessment uses a Lockdown Browser. Your browser will be “locked down” so that you are unable to print, copy, go to another URL, or access other applications until you complete the assessment.

    This placement assessment also uses Respondus Monitor proctoring. This system requires a working webcam.

    You will answer up to 30 questions. There are no multiple choice questions.

    Once you've begun the Math Placement Assessment, you have two and half hours to complete it. You cannot save your place and come back to the test.

    Before you take the assessment, ALEKS will present a short tutorial on how to enter answers, how to use the graphing utilities, and how to use the built-in calculator.

  • How to Interpret Your Scores

    Course

    Description

    ALEKS score

    MA 102

    Intermediate Algebra

    30 - 45

    MA 105

    Pre-Calculus Algebra

    46 - 60

    MA 106

    Pre-Calculus Trigonometry

    61 - 67

    MA 107

    Calculus Algebra/Trigonometry

    68 - 75

    MA 110

    Finite Mathematics

    30 - 45

    MA 180

    Statistics

    46 - 60

    MA 418

    Statistics

    46 - 60

    MA 125

    Calculus I

    76 - 100
  • Getting Started (please read ALL steps)
    1. When you are ready to take the exam, log into BlazerNET using your Blazer ID and password, and click on "Math/English Placement Assessment." You will have two and half hours to take this test.
    2. ALEKS will begin with a brief tutorial to make sure you are comfortable with the navigation tools before your Placement Assessment begins. The tutorial shows you how to enter different types of answers, how to use the ALEKS calculator, and how to graph. If you aren't sure how to input an answer, or need help while you are taking the ALEKS Placement Assessment, select the "Help" button below the answer pallet tools. Going to the tutorial during your Placement Assessment will NOT impact your Placement Assessment results.

    3. The ALEKS placement assessment uses Lockdown Browser. After you finish the tutorial, ALEKS will ask you to download Lockdown Browser. Even if you have previously downloaded Lockdown Browser for a course or assignment, you will still need to download this version as it is unique to ALEKS Placement Assessment. If you have any issues, please refer to our FAQs below.

    4. This placement assessment also uses Respondus Monitor. This system requires a working webcam. Again, if you have any questions in regards to this please see our FAQs.

  • Disability Accommodations

    If you would like to request accommodations due to disability, please contact UAB Disability Support Services for assistance.

    UAB Disability Support Services
    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    (205) 934-4205 (voice)
    (205) 934-4248 (TDD)

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions?

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact UAB Testing Services at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The English Placement Survey and Writing Sample helps determine the Freshman English course sequence best suited to your experiences with reading and writing. We want you to be successful as possible in your first semester at UAB. You will answer five questions about your experience with reading and writing and then upload a brief writing sample (roughly 450 words) in which you respond to a question about your plans for college. The survey and writing sample are scored by experienced writing teachers from the Department of English. Based on your survey and writing sample, you will receive an English placement in one of two course sequences: EH 101/102 or EH 106/107.

Please note that both sequences fulfill degree credit for the required six hours of Freshman English.

  • EH 106 and EH 107 provide additional support for students who might not have had a lot of writing instruction in high school and whose survey/samples don’t place them in EH 101.
  • EH 106 and EH 107 follow the same course goals and curriculum of EH 101 and EH 102. Class time is supplemented with additional writing studio sessions with the course instructor and with required tutoring at the University Writing Center. This additional support is listed as 096 (paired with EH 106) and 097 (paired with EH 107). EH 096 and EH 097 do not offer degree credit. However, EH 106 and EH 107 do count for degree credit.

Deadline

You must complete the English Placement Survey and Writing Sample at least two weeks before being advised. If you submit your materials later than this two-week window, you run the risk of not having results prior to registering for classes.

What You Need

  • Your Blazer ID and password
  • A desktop computer, tablet, or cell phone
  • A reliable internet connection
  • A space conducive to doing your best work

Expectations

There is no benefit to inflating or deflating your abilities on the English Placement Survey and Writing Sample. Incorrect placement can delay graduation and negatively affect your GPA. Dishonest work can result in placement into a course that isn’t a good fit for your current level of writing skills which can lead to poor outcomes, or maybe even a failing grade in that course. Cheating is a violation of UAB’s Academic Honor Integrity Code.

What to anticipate

You will answer 5 questions about your experience reading and writing in and out of school as well as upload a writing sample (roughly of 450 words) in which you respond to a specific question. The question will ask you to think in an open-ended way about your college plans and your academic values. There is no wrong or right answer! The goal is just to write candidly about something that’s important to you as you look ahead.

Getting started

When you are ready to take the exam, log into BlazerNET using your Blazer ID and password. Select “Math/English Placement Assessments” and click on the “English Placement Survey and Writing Sample” link.

Disability Accommodations

If you would like to request accommodations due to disability, please contact UAB Disability Support Services for assistance.
UAB Disability Support Services
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(205) 934-4205 (voice)
(205) 934-4248 (TDD)

Frequently Asked Questions

UAB offers dual enrollment for outstanding high school students who wish to expand their academic options and take college coursework during their junior or senior years of high schools.

This option is intended for students who have completed the highest academic subjects available at their high schools and are seeking a further academic challenge. Dual enrollment offers the opportunity to pursue a student’s interests and also to gain college credit while enrolled in high school. This option is available to students in schools which have a partnership with UAB that allows earning high school and college credit simultaneously.

Dual enrollment students must have successfully completed the appropriate high school coursework (i.e. if you wish to enroll in English 101 at UAB, you must have completed 4 units of high school English).

To apply for dual enrollment at UAB, students must do the following:

  • Contact Undergraduate Admissions at 205-934-8221 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss the student’s goals and qualifications for dual enrollment. In some cases, a meeting may be appropriate.
  • Apply for admission at uab.edu/apply
  • Submit the $30 application fee.
  • Submit all required materials:
    • An official high school transcript, with a minimum 3.0 GPA
    • An official ACT or SAT score report with a recommended ACT of 25. If you have not taken the ACT or SAT, we may consider PSAT scores.
    • A letter of permission from a parent or guardian.
    • A written statement of support from the high school principal which states the specific class and term in which the student desires enrollment.
  1. Non-Degree Seeking Student Enrollment Checklist
  2. Returning UAB Student
  3. Second Bachelor's
  4. Dual & Concurrent Enrollment

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